Genevieve is South Africa’s sparkling sweetheart—an all-MCC, all-the-time label founded by Melissa Nelsen in the cool-climate pocket of Bot River. She launched the brand in 2008 with just 3,000 bottles of Blanc de Blancs and a clear vision: to make world-class bubbles with precision, patience, and a whole lot of heart.

Melissa works exclusively with Chardonnay for her vintage releases, and has recently added a Brut Rosé made from Shiraz that was already planted on the farm she bought as home-base for the project—bringing a fresh twist to the lineup. Farming is sustainable, winemaking is hands-off, and the wines are all about elegance without the ego. Genevieve is proof that South African fizz can be serious, joyful, and unmistakably homegrown.