Emil den Dulk
“It is with clear distinction that I remember meeting André, Gary and Heinz for the first time in my office at De Toren Private Cellar. It was just after launching the maiden vintage of De Toren Fusion V 1999 and I was scouring the internet for worldwide distributors of top South African Wines.
Eventually I came across Cape Classics, situated in New York according to the details on their website, and of even more interest to me was their portfolio. They had the cream of South African brands in their portfolio. This resulted in me writing to them, but I was answered with the unfortunate news that they were not seeking any new wines for their portfolio. They did however direct me to their South African office, which happened to be on the neighbouring farm.
My persistence and persuasion eventually got them to our farm, with the promise that they only needed to taste our wines… Needless to say, the rest is history. They took on our wines within their portfolio and also started distribution to Europe.
It was Cape Classics that managed to get Robert Parker to taste South African wines for the first time. Our De Toren Fusion V was the first ever wine to be bestowed a magical 90 points on its maiden vintage!
André personally peddled our wine to all the top restaurants in New York. This resulted in regular calls at 3 am in the morning (South African time) from clients in New York restaurants, wanting to complement us on our wines or even just to find out more about the wine.
Another memory that is as vivid as yesterday is our attempt to pour wines in Sherry Lehmann, New York. Little did we know, no one wanted to taste South African wine! However, when I changed my tune and offered them Bordeaux-style wines rather, it was a completely different story, a very successful one!
Well done on a quarter of a century, Cape Classics! We are honoured to have been associated with you since the release of our very first vintage and 17 of your 25 years of existence!”
– Emil den Dulk, Proprietor of De Toren Private Cellar