The Cape Winemakers Guild: An Interview with Samantha O'Keefe

Samantha O'Keefe of Lismore Estate was made Chair of the Cape Winemakers Guild in early 2024. In this interview, Samantha shares her deep passion for South African wine, highlighting the pivotal role of the Cape Winemakers Guild in shaping the industry and elevating local winemaking talent.

Samantha O'Keefe, an American-born winemaker, made a bold move to South Africa in 2000, driven by a desire for a new adventure and a deep passion for winemaking. In 2003, she founded Lismore Estate Vineyards in the cool-climate region of Greyton, located in the foothills of the Riviersonderend mountains. Her vision was clear from the start: to produce elegant, classically styled wines that reflect the unique terroir of this relatively untapped region.

The Lismore Syrah “is consistently one of South Africa’s best expressions of the grape.”- Tim Atkin MW

The Cape Winemakers Guild is a prestigious association of leading South African winemakers. Membership is by invitation only and requires commitment to advancing winemaking excellence and fostering transformation within the local industry. The annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction showcases the apex of South African winemaking, embodying the members' collective life-long dedication to honing their craft. Undergoing a rigorous selection process to ensure their excellence, all wines are exclusively produced for the auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild.

Bordeaux Index participated for the first time last year and emerged as the single largest buyer worldwide, emphasising our rapidly growing prominence in the South African fine wine market. Our purchases contributed more than 10% of the total auction value in what was a record-breaking year for the CWG. Victoria Mason MW, our Senior Fine Wine Buyer at the time commented “By bidding at the Cape Winemaker’s Guild Auction this year, for the very first time, and enthusing our clients about the incredible quality of these wines, we are showing that Bordeaux Index believes in, and fully supports, South African fine wine and its future potential.”

We were lucky enough to host two events with Samantha O'Keefe, JD Pretorius (Vice Chairman of the CWG) and Gary Jordan (former Chairman of the CWG) for both a tasting and a private dinner in the lead up to this year's exciting auction.

Samantha, thank you for joining us today! Tell me, what sparked your interest in wine and encouraged you to set up Lismore Estate Vineyards?

I found Lismore at a time when producers were moving out into more extreme cool-climate areas to explore more diverse terroir to produce world class, cool-climate wine. It was a dairy farm in the foothills of a dramatic mountain range outside of Greyton, 45km inland from Hermanus. I planted vineyards and set out to prove something special could be done here. By 2009, “Greyton” was a Ward (or appellation) because the wines I grew were so unique.

You are originally from California, what was it about the Western Cape and the Greyton area that appealed to you?

The terroir, wines, and the South African wine industry as a collective is so dynamic and ever changing. The people and culture of South Africa is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Their love of life and support for each other, the gratitude and joy with which they address their challenges is inspiring.

It’s obvious that you’re passionate about winemaking in South Africa, what makes this region so exciting?

Great terroir and innovation. South Africa has been making wine for 300 years, but in the last 30 years, producers are pushing into new and untested regions, experimenting with new cultivars, the industry is on a collective mission to make world-class wine without being limited by the proud history of what has always been done.

Tell us about the Cape Winemakers Guild, how did you get involved and what makes it such a special organisation?

The Guild is the embodiment of “a rising tide raising all ships”. I was inducted into this special organisation and my life changed forever. I am part of a collective rooted in collaboration and the shared goal to make better wine. In addition to this, we all are deeply committed to the future and diversity of the South African wine industry.

What does it take to become a member of the Cape Winemakers Guild?

If a winemaker has been producing world-class wine for at least 5 years, is solely responsible for the final quality of the wine in the bottle and represents the values of the Guild, they qualify to be nominated.

The annual Guild auction is almost upon us. What can we expect from the lineup this year?

Exciting new wines, like the Rock of Eye from Coenie Snyman, and classics that are better than ever, like the Paul Cluver Wagon Trail made by Andries Burger.

The big highlight this year is the final two CWG wines from Kanonkop that will be on auction for a while. Abrie Beeslaar is stepping away from Kanonkop to focus on his own brand. While that is exciting news, it leaves the buyers with the last Paul Sauer and Kanonkop Pinotage vintages made by Abrie.

With its focus on excellence and innovation, what does the future look like for the Cape Winemakers Guild?

I think you will see an increasing diversity in the Guild wines. As I mentioned, as we as members experiment with new cultivars and new terroir, the best of those wines will eventually make it to the auction.

South African wines have come a long way in recent years, have you noticed a growth in interest around the world for South African fine wine?

Most definitely. The message is out, and the excitement is real.

The 2024 Cape Winemakers Auction is taking place on 4th and 5th October, with Bordeaux Index bidding on numerous lots to secure some of South Africa's finest wines.