A New Era for Solms-Delta Wine Company with Inaugural Rhône-Style Vintages and Community Upliftment

The Solms-Delta Wine Company, an emblem of social transformation and pioneering winemaking in South Africa, has marked a significant milestone with its relaunch under the new stewardship of Tommy Hall, a seasoned executive in the global technology sector. The new era sees the introduction of two Rhône-style blends that symbolize the confluence of Hall's business acumen and the company’s longstanding ethos of community betterment.

At the heart of the relaunch is the desire to build on the groundwork laid by Mark Solms in 2001. Solms garnered acclaim for his endeavors in land restitution and initiating profound community-driven projects. With Hall's arrival, these ambitions are poised to thrive within a fresh operational framework that prioritizes financial sustainability alongside social impact.

The rebirth of Solms-Delta includes the resurgence of Fyndraai restaurant and the Museum van de Caab. These institutions preserve the rich heritage of Franschhoek Valley while acting as beacons for cultural engagement and education. Firmly aligned with these revitalization efforts, the Halls are dedicated to restoring the vibrancy that has long characterized the Solms-Delta name.

The strategic approach intertwines the revivification of vineyards with skills development and job creation, cultivating a fertile environment for the Solms-Delta Wine Company to flourish. With the anticipation of a maiden harvest from selected Western Cape vineyards in 2024 and the promise of full production projected by 2026, the company’s wines are expected to be a testament to quality and social consciousness.

Consultant winemaker Francois Haasbroek, revered for his understanding of Rhône varietals, has sculpted the inaugural releases—Hiervandaan 2023 and Amalie 2023—to exude vibrancy and liveliness. These wines are set to challenge conventional expressions of Rhône varieties, infusing freshness and depth in a manner emblematic of the vision hallmarked by Hall and Solms.

While the Oesfees—a cherished harvest festival—is on the horizon for 2024, celebrating both the community's perseverance and the enterprise's resurgence, Solms-Delta Wine Company concurrently sets its sights on becoming an ambassador of economic transformation in the Cape Winelands.

In the face of historical injustices and recent adversities, the Solms-Delta Wine Company's relaunch is stirring a sense of resurgence—an ethos of resilience and rebirth, cornerstones of the Phoenix narrative embraced by Hall. As the Solms-Delta Wine Estate prepares to welcome visitors in February 2024, it stands as a beacon of hope, embodying the spirit of regeneration that is deeply rooted in the South African terroir.