By Neo Kolane
Mpho Seakhoa Maphathe has decided to continue with a family wine business started by her grandfather so as to keep it running.
The 32-year-old said the idea of the wine brand was inspired by her late uncle BJ and grandfather Mathibeli Seipobi.
The brand is referred to Bev which is made with love, passion and understanding of virgin palette that enjoy a moderate aged taste.
The lover of culinary art revealed that her uncle used to make wine in Teyateyaneng while her grandfather was a farmer in Clocolan in South Africa’s Free State province.
“During the 2020 Lockdown I took my kids to the family farm and started distilling some wine using the equipment my grandfather already had.
“The wine was founded in Clocolan as craft but due to the demand and meeting volumes, I partnered with a vine yard in Stellenbosch that has replicated what I had initially distilled to meet volumes and achieve certification for the wine to be sold commercially,” she said delightedly.
Maphathe who also loves swimming told theReporter that the name Bev came about as a shortening of beverages.
She explained that it is a socially “fun and youthful name that also inspires her to share the wine in lifestyle with peers and youth that have a minimal understanding.”
Maphathe found a great interest in wine and did a certificate with the Cape Wine Academy which was an innovation coming from a family that understood and drank wine. During this time, she was studying hospitality management.
She revealed that the red wine is so far their best seller and described it as a deep purple core with a bright inviting rim.
Maphathe was mindful that Shiraz, Carbernet Sauvignon and Pinotage blend offers great smell as they are mixed with ripe berry that is stored in wood containers.
The product is well balanced with berry and subtle tannin extracts.
“Competition is wide in wine especially in prices due to volumes but I would like to believe our prices are competitive. The aim is to produce volumes for export while minimising costs. Wine requires good financial injection and to establish good sales points,” she said.
“The support is remarkable and all I would appreciate is to break through in finding more sales outlets in Lesotho,” she hopefully wished.
