Rumor has it or Skype at least that my friend and favorite South African winemaker is in town (NYC) this weekend – Ntsiki Biyela. I haven’t seen Ntsiki in a few years but have spoken with her after her stay in Italy working at Petra. I’m curious to hear how her winemaking has been influenced by her Italian sojourn. I think she has caught the love of Italy bug that I suffer from as do many other people all the world over.
My friend Peter Conway of Mano A Vino wrote a nice post about Ntsiki that you can read here.
I’m hoping to catch up with her and chat more about Italy, wine, Stellekaya, and South Africa. I am curious to find out how the country is evolving and dealing with Nelson Mandela’s current health issues. He is one of my great heroes and I am happy to know he is out of the hospital.
I keep this quote from him on my desk at all times to remind myself to be courageous:
“I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it…The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
avvinare.com 
Susannah, your friend David Wallis referred me to your blog. I’m delighted to see that you’re a big fan of Ntsiki’s. I’m working with her on a project called Wine for the World. We’re pairing her up with Helen Kelpinger of CA and they’re collaboratively producing a SA wine. I’d love to tell you more about it.
Update on Ntsiki – she’s currently in Bordeaux for the Winemakers Collection.
Love to hear more about this. I knew Ntsiki was in Bordeaux. Now I know why. Will email you. Thanks for stopping by.