Gerald Snyman, Brandon Uitlander, Alicia Alves and Norman Paulse.
The cherished aspiration of crafting wine from their very own vineyards, promoting it to both local and global wine enthusiasts, and reaping the rewards of their hard labor has finally come to fruition for the dedicated workers at the esteemed Kleine Zalze estate in Stellenbosch. The recent introduction of the inaugural wine range under the newly established Visio Vintners label marks the realization of this dream.
The Visio Vintners collection features an array of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Cinsault Rosé, and an exquisite ultra-premium red blend named Alliance. This remarkable range is the result of a synergistic effort between Kleine Zalze’s proprietors and the Kleine Zalze Empowerment Trust, an entity owned by the winery’s employees who work across vineyards, cellars, maintenance, logistics, and marketing departments. Formed in 2018, the Visio Vintners project swiftly gained momentum, with its dynamic shareholders taking charge of planting and managing a 15-hectare vineyard, overseeing wine production, and designing the label.
Gerald Snyman, a trustee of the Kleine Zalze Empowerment Trust and farm manager at Klein Zalze, describes the journey as an exhilarating whirlwind. “The pace of this endeavor is emblematic of the Kleine Zalze ethos,” he affirms. Surveying the land allocated for Visio Vintners’ vineyards, Snyman recognized the seriousness of the undertaking. Situated to the right of Klein Zalze’s entrance, the 20-hectare parcel leased long-term from Stellenbosch Municipality boasts a storied history of producing high-quality red wines.
The focus on this land centers on red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Shiraz. “Our first vineyards for Visio Vintners were planted in 2017. Our inaugural vintage in 2021 emerged from vines that were merely four years old. The exceptional quality we’ve achieved from such young vines indicates a bright future for Visio Vintners’ reputation,” Snyman proudly states.
He emphasizes the significance of the terroir, highlighting the distinctiveness of Stellenbosch’s Berg soils, ancient decomposed granite, and solid clay underlay that facilitates water retention. With row orientations aligned north-south, the vines enjoy direct sun exposure throughout the day, reducing the need for excessive canopy management.
Norman Paulse, a director at Visio Vintners and cellar manager at Kleine Zalze, expresses astonishment at the existence of Visio Vintners, a concept he could never have foreseen growing up on a grape farm in Lynedoch, just outside Stellenbosch. Reflecting on his journey from general laborer to cellar manager, he acknowledges the opportunities he has been granted. “Visio Vintners is the pinnacle of my career. It’s a unique feeling to gaze upon a vineyard and realize that you are part of a group fortunate enough to call it your own,” Paulse shares.
The wines of Visio Vintners are meticulously crafted within the Kleine Zalze cellar, under the watchful eyes of cellarmaster RJ Botha and Norman Paulse. This collaboration ensures that every step, from grape to bottle, adheres to their collective vision of excellence.
Brandon Uitlander, a Visio Vintners director and the man responsible for overseeing general maintenance at Kleine Zalze, recognizes the profound accountability that comes with ownership. He acknowledges the unprecedented opportunities provided to the workers through their ownership in Visio Vintners. However, he underscores that this endeavor is no easy endeavor; it is not a mere token gesture for the sake of compliance. Uitlander stresses the necessity of hard work, from tending the vineyards to blending and bottling, to ensure that Visio Vintners wines stand proudly alongside the finest offerings in the market.
Uitlander recognizes the need for patience and perseverance. Initial profits will be reinvested to service loans and interest, exemplifying their commitment to the journey rather than immediate gains. Despite the challenges, the early success of Visio Vintners’ initial vintages serves as validation for their hard work. The flagship wine, Visio Vintners Alliance 2020, earned an impressive 92 points in Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Report. At the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards, the Visio Vintners Pinotage 2020 was honored with a prestigious Gold medal.
Alicia Alves, a Trustee of the Kleine Zalze Empowerment Trust, echoes the sentiment that the recognition of their wines’ quality validates their endeavor. The critical acclaim achieved in the first vintages offers assurance that Visio Vintners is on the right path. With their unwavering commitment to quality and the challenges of marketing, the team is poised to carve a significant place for themselves in both the South African and international wine landscapes.
