Korean BBQ, strip steak with Sichuan peppercorn cream sauce (wink), some good ol’ biltong

As we always recommend for a red in Hong Kong heat, give it a few minutes to cool off in the fridge

Kottabos takes its name from an ancient Greek drinking game, where after a few glasses of wine, friends would fling leftover lees toward targets—because why not? In this case, it's a side project from Reenen Borman of Boschkloof, designed for experimentation beyond his family’s estate. A second-generation winemaker, Reenen has earned a reputation as one of South Africa’s best (casually – he’s been awarded more 99 points by international critics than any other South African winemaker in history, and one of less than 10 to be awarded 100 pts), bringing both technical skill and instinct to Boschkloof’s vineyards. After studying at Elsenburg and gaining hands-on experience in the Rhône Valley, he returned to Stellenbosch to refine the wines that have shaped his name over the years. That dedication was recognised in 2023 when he became a member of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild—an honour reserved for only around 40 winemakers in South Africa. (Niels at Luddite is also one of the OG members!)

The Borman family prioritises sustainable farming, handpicking every grape to ensure quality, while the cellar approach stays minimal—ambient yeast fermentations, and a move away from new oak in favour of concrete and terra cotta. The result? Wines that are timeless, honest, and full of character. At the heart of it all, three families have worked on the farm and in the cellar for over 15 years, making Boschkloof as much about the people behind the wine as the wine itself.

 

We love the New Wave Pinotage movement in South Africa – much like the Reverie (RIP), this treats the grape like Pinot Noir. The way its inventor, Professor Perold, intended. No Cab energy here.

Place: Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grapes: Pinotage
Style: Balancing boldness & finesse
Ingredients: Grapes & minimal sulphites

Seared scallops, orzo risotto, Thai yellow curry

Serve chilled, but can stand to come up to temperature a lil’

Kottabos takes its name from an ancient Greek drinking game, where after a few glasses of wine, friends would fling leftover lees toward targets—because why not? In this case, it's a side project from Reenen Borman of Boschkloof, designed for experimentation beyond his family’s estate. A second-generation winemaker, Reenen has earned a reputation as one of South Africa’s best (casually – he’s been awarded more 99 points by international critics than any other South African winemaker in history, and one of less than 10 to be awarded 100 pts), bringing both technical skill and instinct to Boschkloof’s vineyards. After studying at Elsenburg and gaining hands-on experience in the Rhône Valley, he returned to Stellenbosch to refine the wines that have shaped his name over the years. That dedication was recognised in 2023 when he became a member of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild—an honour reserved for only around 40 winemakers in South Africa. (Niels at Luddite is also one of the OG members!)

The Borman family prioritizes sustainable farming, handpicking every grape to ensure quality, while the cellar approach stays minimal—ambient yeast fermentations, and a move away from new oak in favour of concrete and terra cotta. The result? Wines that are timeless, honest, and full of character. At the heart of it all, three families have worked on the farm and in the cellar for over 15 years, making Boschkloof as much about the people behind the wine as the wine itself.

It treads a beautiful tightrope between a classic, elegant wine & something experimental. And it does it so very well. It’s an orange you can take home to meet the parents.

Place: Karibib Vineyard, Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grapes: Chenin Blanc
Style: Elegant but unexpected
Ingredients: Grapes & minimal sulphites

Char Siu, a good meat or veg ragù, aged Comté

20 minutes in the fridge before serving, please

Sons of Sugarland forms part of Saga Vineyards - the latest adventure from Reenen Borman, Fritz Schoon, and Henk Kotze —a trio who knows how to turn unexpected vineyard sites into something truly special. We couldn’t write it better than they have themselves: “Halfway between here and nowhere, you’ll turn left into a vineyard that doesn’t look like anything special. Most of the time it isn’t. But sometimes it is. Saga Vineyards is born from these remarkable sites, often in unexpected places, growing fascinating wines that represent not just stories, but epic tales of adventure, persistence and survival.”

Reenen followed his father Jacques Borman’s footsteps into winemaking and has carved his own path with Saga Vineyards, while Fritz juggles business, baking, and family, and Henk keeps the momentum going. Their journey started above a bakery in Stellenbosch with Hawk & Schoon, a boutique wine shop where the first seeds of Saga were planted. Today, their Sons of Sugarland wines stay true to that ethos—whole bunch fermentation, concrete ageing, and nothing else. Just pure, expressive wine that lets the vineyard speak for itself.

The fellas work with traditionally and organically farmed vineyards. They’re not adding anything beyond a tiny dose of sulphur at bottling. More importantly, they’re seeking out these unexpected, and often forgotten vineyards and literally helping keep them in the ground by helping the growers and paying fair prices for the fruit that eventually becomes their soulful, joyful wines.

Honestly, the winemaker describing it as ‘salivating’. And it couldn’t be more accurate. It’s sassy AF, but luscious & smart. It’s Emma Stone in Easy A.

Place: Goudini, Breedekloof, South Africa
Grapes: Barbera
Style: Bright with big ideas
Ingredients: Grapes & minimal sulphites

Black pepper beef, roast duck, vegetable tagine

A quick 20 minutes in the fridge before serving

Sons of Sugarland forms part of Saga Vineyards - the latest adventure from Reenen Borman, Fritz Schoon, and Henk Kotze —a trio who knows how to turn unexpected vineyard sites into something truly special. We couldn’t write it better than they have themselves: “Halfway between here and nowhere, you’ll turn left into a vineyard that doesn’t look like anything special. Most of the time it isn’t. But sometimes it is. Saga Vineyards is born from these remarkable sites, often in unexpected places, growing fascinating wines that represent not just stories, but epic tales of adventure, persistence and survival.”

Reenen followed his father Jacques Borman’s footsteps into winemaking and has carved his own path with Saga Vineyards, while Fritz juggles business, baking, and family, and Henk keeps the momentum going. Their journey started above a bakery in Stellenbosch with Hawk & Schoon, a boutique wine shop where the first seeds of Saga were planted. Today, their Sons of Sugarland wines stay true to that ethos—whole bunch fermentation, concrete ageing, and nothing else. Just pure, expressive wine that lets the vineyard speak for itself.

The fellas work with traditionally and organically farmed vineyards. They’re not adding anything beyond a tiny dose of sulphur at bottling. More importantly, they’re seeking out these unexpected, and often forgotten vineyards and literally helping keep them in the ground by helping the growers and paying fair prices for the fruit that eventually becomes their soulful, joyful wines.

It really is captivating. It’s pure and raw – it’s Darcy’s “I love, I love, I love you” in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice.

Place: Karibib Vineyard, Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grapes: Syrah
Style: A romance novel in a glass
Ingredients: Grapes & minimal sulphites

Warm sunshine-y days, egg sandwiches and rice paper rolls

Keep it coooool

Khayelitsha, located on the fringes of Cape Town, is a sprawling township a hangover from the Group Areas Act of the Apartheid regime. Lindile Ndzaba, who was born and raised, and still lives in Khayelitsha is looking to transform the narrative of wines in South Africa. In a country where the vast majority of citizens don’t have access to transport to visit wine farms or the money to spend in expensive city restaurants or bars – he realised he needed to bring fine wine culture to his community, and by doing this also start shifting the mindset of wine for consumption to wine for appreciation. Good wine he believes should be available to all South Africans and not just the privileged. And so, he launched Khayelitsha’s Finest Wines.

The vision of KFW is to see the townships develop and have their own resources to produce products without outsourcing. Not only does Lindile aim to grow his business internationally, he also wants to encourage the community to work together to further the mindset of “supporting local brands.” He aims to continually provide jobs and, in essence, fight unemployment in the community of Khayelitsha.

Both the White and Red Blends are the perfect gateway wines for folks who are looking to dip their toes into getting to know wines – they’re fruit-forward, full of life and wonderfully approachable price-wise too!

Place: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Style: Ultra approachable!

Think Southern-style BBQ feast for this one!

Cool room temp is best

Khayelitsha, located on the fringes of Cape Town, is a sprawling township a hangover from the Group Areas Act of the Apartheid regime. Lindile Ndzaba, who was born and raised, and still lives in Khayelitsha is looking to transform the narrative of wines in South Africa. In a country where the vast majority of citizens don’t have access to transport to visit wine farms or the money to spend in expensive city restaurants or bars – he realised he needed to bring fine wine culture to his community, and by doing this also start shifting the mindset of wine for consumption to wine for appreciation. Good wine he believes should be available to all South Africans and not just the privileged. And so, he launched Khayelitsha’s Finest Wines.

The vision of KFW is to see the townships develop and have their own resources to produce products without outsourcing. Not only does Lindile aim to grow his business internationally, but he also wants to encourage the community to work together to further the mindset of “supporting local brands.” He aims to continually provide jobs and, in essence, fight unemployment in the community of Khayelitsha.

I mean, the whole damn concept! They even encourage buyers to return the bottles and have converted old shipping containers into bottle-washing facilities.

Place: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Style: Fun & fruity