Alcohol: 12%
Grape(s): Pinot Noir 67% - Chardonnay 33%
Location: Cape South Coast - South Africa
Tasting Notes: Delicate red fruit aromas lead with raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate, complemented
by ruby grapefruit brightness. Biscuit and brioche characters add textural complexity, while
subtle spicy notes provide depth and intrigue
Notes: ‘Makeba’ is VSI’s first foray into Méthode Cap Classique. Trizanne’s inspiration for this wine came from her homeland, Mama Africa. Makeba means ‘to be absolutely magnificent in every aspect a human being can be’, and Trizanne chose to make this bright and beautiful wine as a reflection of the best qualities of Mama Africa. The grapes were sourced from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The label is a special tribute to the traditional art style of the Yoruba people. Kika Ọnà is a unique African dot painting style, literally translating to “The Dot Way.” The Yoruba people, known for their rich artistic and spiritual traditions, engage in various forms of visual expression, including Kika Ọnà body painting rituals. Additionally, the Xhosa people of South Africa have their own traditional art form of face painting, characterized by intricate dotted patterns. This special art form inspires the Makeba’s bottle artwork, created beautifully by Rohan Etsebeth.
Grapes were harvested during the first week of February in the early morning hours to ensure cool grapes arriving in the cellar. Grapes were whole-bunch-pressed to ensure gentle extraction, then transferred to stainless steel tanks for fermentation. After nine months on the lees in the tank, the wine was bottled for secondary fermentation. It was then left on the secondary lees for 4 years before disgorgement in April 2025. The wine was lightly fined then bottled with a small dosage of sulfur. No fining.
Winery Story:
Origins: A Tribute to “Mama Africa”
Makeba was created by Trizanne Barnard as a symbolic homage to her homeland and to the spirit embodied by Miriam Makeba—beloved worldwide as “Mama Africa.” The name Makeba is interpreted as meaning “to be absolutely magnificent in every aspect a human being can be,” and Trizanne crafted the wine to reflect exactly that. Each bottle is intended to be bright, beautiful, expressive, and deeply rooted in African identity.
A Collaboration Project
The earliest Makeba bottlings began as a collaborative effort between Trizanne and a close colleague, with a particular focus on Pinot Noir–based sparkling wines. As the project evolved, later vintages expanded into a broader Méthode Cap Classique expression under the Trizanne Signature Wines portfolio.
African Art on the Label
The Makeba label pays tribute to Yoruba Kika Ọnà, a traditional African dot‑painting style known as “The Dot Way.” This art form is celebrated for its spiritual symbolism and intricate patterns. Trizanne chose it intentionally, using the visual language of Kika Ọnà to express the cultural richness and artistic heritage that inspire the Makeba range.
Wine Style & Philosophy
Makeba wines are crafted in the Méthode Cap Classique tradition—South Africa’s classic method for producing sparkling wine. They are designed to embody:
Brightness and elegance
Cool‑climate purity
A minimalist, terroir‑driven approach
A celebratory, uplifting spirit
