2020 Kumusha Pinotage

Kumusha in the Zimbabwean Shona language translates to 'your home', 'your roots' or 'your origin'. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tinashe's career in the hospitality industry began as a waiter at the Roundhouse Restaurant in Cape Town, followed by a position as a wine steward at One & Only Cape Town's contemporary Asian restaurant Nobu, where he was soon promoted to sommelier. After receiving the Reaching for Young Stars Best Wine Steward Award in 2013, Tinashe rose to the limelight as the one to watch. His next career was head sommelier at the famous Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, followed by five years at Africa's best restaurant, The Test Kitchen. It was at this acclaimed fine-dining restaurant where the 'wine whisperer' won the Eat Out Wine Service Award in 2016.

After a formidable career in the South African hospitality industry, working at some of Africa's finest hotels and restaurants, respected sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka was ready for a new beginning. Since moving to Johannesburg, Tinashe - an accomplished master blender - is poised to anchor his own wine brand, Kumusha Wines, in the South African market and beyond.

Tinashe is a wine jury at the Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Awards, Germany, a wine panelist for Wine Of The Month Club, a permanent judge in South Africa, tasting of the Michelangelo awards for wine and spirits, the Chenin Blanc top 10 Challenge and is part of the very select Platter Awards Five Star panel.

Tinashe met Attie Louw from the Opstal estate a few years ago and it has grown into a relationship where he makes the fruit from the Breedekloof Valley wines that he would not only like to drink himself, but has drawn more from his incredible sommelier and gastronomic past. Minimal intervention in winemaking and natural fermentation aims to let the wine "talk" freely

The Kumusha Pinotage is a beautiful South African wine. A wine with depth, balance and delicious aromas reminiscent of dark cherries and mulberries on the nose. Notes of ripe plums and hints of spice on the palate with a savory finish. This is an elegant pinotage and not the full-fruited versions that we see too often. Goes well with game, turkey, spicy dishes and curries.

This wine is made from bush vine Pinotage from the Swartland, planted in the early 1990's and grown in dry soil. 80% was destemmed and 20% left the whole bunch through fermentation and maceration. Only gentle actions through fermentation so as not to extract tannins too much and rather create an elegant and fine example of Pinotage. Aged for 12 months in large French barrels and 500L old neutral barrels. No additions and minimal intervention is the philosophy here.