Thembi Wines

The Inspiring Story of Thembi Wines

Thembi Tobie's passion for wine blossomed from her love of diverse cultures, cuisines, and travel. To cultivate her palate, she dedicated time to tasting wines at various wineries, reading wine literature, and enrolling in wine courses. In 2009, she founded Thembi & Co in partnership with Boland Vineyard International. After repurchasing her shares in 2012, she began offering a selection of Thembi Fair Trade wines, primarily targeting the European market.

Hope, Faith, and Empowerment

Thembi's name embodies hope, faith, and belief—hope for a brighter future and the belief that anything is achievable. As a wine educator and ambassador, she aims to foster a wine culture in communities that lack it. Thembi is committed to inspiring young black women to pursue their ambitions, encouraging them to overcome the challenges posed by the male-dominated wine industry. She emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and thriving in adversity.

The Terroir of Cape Town

Cape Town is renowned for its exceptional wines, thanks to its diverse soil types shaped by the local climate. Understanding these soil variations is crucial for winemakers to create wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the region. The area features fertile soils alongside rockier and sandy terrains, particularly in the Cape Flats. The moderate temperatures, sufficient rainfall, and abundant sunshine create ideal conditions for growing high-quality wine grapes.