WineLand August 2026

This month’s theme, Champions of Change, looks at the people moving the South African wine industry forward in different ways. Inside, we say goodbye to Willie Burger after 28 years at Badsberg, and look at a new generation, including Joshua van Blommestein starting to build something of his own. We also explore what it takes to build a strong wine brand, and how the industry’s value shows up in people and communities. You’ll find stories on Vendôme’s family history, Doran Vineyards on the Swartland–Paarl border, and winemaking with a conservation focus near Botrivier. In tourism and lifestyle, we look at experiences from Durbanville to the Drakensberg. A straightforward look at where the industry stands, and the people behind it.