Proprietor's Private Release
(Artist Series)
Our Proprietor's Private Release (Artist Series) feature labels with paintings by renown South African artist Velaphi Mzimba that pay homage to the importance of family and friends to the enjoyment of food and wine.
Velaphi's complex canvasses are full of rich, compelling colours that ideally mirror the rich and compelling characteristics of our Artist Series wines.
Artist Series wines are handcrafted in exceptionally limited quantities and reserved principally for the winemaker, his family and his friends. A limited number of these couture wines are released on a highly allocated basis to select clients.
The Artist
One of South Africa's foremost artists, Velaphi Mzimba embodies the grace and quiet confidence that resonates throughout so much of the new South Africa.
He values family. Velaphi was born in Dube, Soweto, as the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mzimba. He has three sisters. He spends a lot of time with his children as they grow up.
He respects tradition. Velaphi has been guided by various teachers and artists over the course of his career. Robert Rauschenberg was an early mentor. Dan Rakgoathe was an important influence when Velaphi studied at the Mofolo Art Centre in Soweto. Bill Ainslie was another influential teacher when Velaphi studied at the Johannesburg Art Foundation.
He is an innovator. Velaphi interprets portraits, still life, figures, abstracts, street scenes and township life through his own unique and iconic style. His later work has concentrated on giant panels of still life fruits and vegetables as well as giant African ethnic heads that have become trademarks of his craft.
His work captures his optimistic personality. Velaphi was deeply involved in the struggle for liberation from apartheid. Through is art, he demonstrates the unity that is possible in South Africa. As Velaphi says:
'What I want to put across is a message of hope and unity in our society through my art, which I believe is possible.'
Velaphi has exhibited his works extensively, including shows in the United States, Canada, Germany, England and Ireland as well as numerous exhibitions in South Africa. His works are represented in major private and public collections nationally and internationally, including collections in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Velaphi's painting 'Sawubona' was presented by President Nelson Mandela to the Rockefeller Foundation on his visit to the United States.
In addition to painting, Velaphi is an influential contributor to the development of young South African artists. In 1985 Velaphi taught at the Thusong Youth Centre in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Since 1986 he has taught at the Open School in Johannesburg.
Visit www.velaphimzimba.co.za for further information about the artist.
Midnight Maasai
 Midnight Maasai Shiraz is the first release under the Proprietor's Private Release (Artist Series) wines.
Velaphi's provocative painting of a Maasai warrior on the front label celebrates the importance of culture and community to our identity. It evokes the early Adam and recognizes the pivotal role that our fathers and grandfathers play in our upbringing as well as the enduring importance of the family and its traditions in our lives.
Midnight Maasai is a Stellenbosch Shiraz created from grapes hand-picked from the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains. Vines have grown on this land for over 325 years and this confluence of historic terroir and high quality cépage gives this wine a personality worthy of its namesake.
Grapes comprising Midnight Maasai Shiraz were hand-sorted, hand-selected and lovingly aged for an unprecedented 60 months in medium plus toast Nevers oak to create a couture wine that balances the complexity and sophistication of the Old World with the boldness and sensuality of the New World.
We only made 5 barrels of this wine. It is a once-off offering.
Only 100 cases are available for release.
Soulful Samburu
Soulful Samburu is the second release under the Proprietor's Private Release (Artist Series) wines.
Like the Maasai warrior, Velaphi Mzimba's emotive painting of a richly adorned Samburu woman on the front label celebrates the importance of culture and community to our identity. It evokes the early Eve and recognizes the essential role that our mothers and grandmothers play in our upbringing and the enduring importance of the family and its traditions in our lives.
We will only make five barrels of this wine. It will be a once-off offering.
Only 100 cases will be released.
No release date has been set for this wine.
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