Why South Africa? In 1994, President Nelson Mandela invited the world to embrace the New South Africa. I traveled there soon after and fell in love with a land and people uplifted by truth and reconciliation. I discovered a 350-year old winemaking history (the eighth largest wine-producing country in the world), steeped in cultural diversity (eleven official languages), in one of the most significant biodynamic plant kingdoms in the world (the Cape Floral Kingdom).

I also witnessed one of the world’s largest humanitarian health crises unfolding in front of me: the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Although South Africa’s wine exports to the US grew 366% from 2001 to 2005, the number of AIDS orphans reached 1.2 Million and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in pregnant women topped 30%. I believe profound experiences create life passions. My experiences in South Africa have given my life depth and structure. My wines are a personal initiative to have a conversation with you about Africa.

Each bottle, then, is an envoy of good wine and goodwill, bringing awareness of both the immediate delight and the ongoing disaster shaping Africa today. I believe that socially-conscious initiatives in for-profit companies foster positive change. Through Bob’s AFRICAN fine wines, I am giving back to the people and country which have given me so much.