A NEW chapter for the Northern Cape wine industry commences early next year with the opening of Orange River Cellars’ brand new wine tasting centre in Upington. Orange River Cellars will now take its place as a fully-fledged player in the dynamic South African wine tourism arena.
According to Koos Visser, marketing manager at Orange River Cellars, the tasting room located at the wine cellar in Industria Road has become too small, and apart from that, visitors aren’t keen to drive outside the town centre to taste wine.
“The new tasting room forms part of Orange River Cellars’ goal to bring our product closer to the consumer,” says Visser.
“This started with new labels as well as a focused effort to raise the profile of our wines through advertisements, promotions and visibility in national retail stores.
“With a new tasting room, situated inside the town and easily accessible, we look forward to giving the thousands of tourists visiting Upington, as well as local residents, access to a wine tasting experience of international quality.”
The person who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Orange River Cellars wine-tasting venue is Wendy Scott, an experienced wine tourism specialist who has previously worked at the Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate in Somerset West, one of the most highly-rated wine farms in the Stellenbosch wine region.
The new tasting venue has two cylindrical counters, which will each be manned by a wine tasting consultant. The complete range of Orange River Cellars will be offered for tasting and all visitors will receive ample information on the range of wines and all things tourism-related in the Northern Cape.
Under the building an existing empty swimming pool will be used as storage room for wine stock. Visitors can be assured that all the tasting wines will also be available for purchase.
An outside area will give visitors the opportunity to relax in tranquil surrounds, and there is also an area where the kids can play while Mom and Dad broaden their wine knowledge.
Scott reckons that Orange River Cellars’ modern wine venue will become an asset for both the town and region. “Research shows that a local wine industry gives a definite tourism advantage to any region,” she says.
“With this new tasting room Orange River Cellars will help to further establish the Nor-thern Cape as one of South Africa’s premier wine regions, and will give people yet another reason to visit this beautiful region. The tasting centre will also be a big injection for the local tourism industry.”
