KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing
Project description: As the first and only wine estate in KwaZulu-Natal, The Stables Wine Estate was responsible in having KwaZulu-Natal designated a wine of origin region. The estate has subsequently certified a number of KwaZulu-Natal wine of origin wines – proving that wine can be made in the province – thereby making history as in over 350 years South African wine-making has been restricted to the Cape.
Some of these KwaZulu-Natal wines have already won both South African and international wine awards. In addition, The Stables Wine Estate won The Most Innovative Project of the Year Award from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal in April this year.
The Stables Wine Estate expansion will include acquiring additional land for planting morel vines, increasing the size and capacity of the existing wine cellar. The promoters will also be adding a restaurant and 40-bedroom hotel to the wine estate, together with a craft centre and healing centre. In addition, to profile the wine estate within Durban, a ‘city cellar’ will be built that will produce up to 15 tons of wine per annum and will offer wine tastings, team buildings, etc.
Location: The farm is in the Mooi Mpofana Local Municipality. The closest town is Nottingham Road. The site is 140km northwest of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Feasibility study status: There is a business plan for a portion of the project.
Budget: The project requires capital and operational funding of R70-million.
Employment opportunities: To be established
Investor role: Phase 1 of the project has already been implemented. The promoters are however looking at this stage for equity partners to help implement the business plan as well as assist with finding alternative markets for their products, especially abroad.
