Name: Mbali Masike
Company: Ngiyi Mbali Wines
Business Line: Wine Producer
Contact: +27 84 962 5503
Wine has become one of South Africa's most favoured drink of choice. As such, the industry has expanded and new players are dancing on the grapes.
Ngiyi Mbali Wines is a range consisting of Dry Reds, Whites and Semi Sweet Rosè. It was inspired by vines in Paarl and made in a cellar built 115 years ago.
But the Mbali Wines story is one that makes interesting reading. Not only have their wine range curved a niche on the local market, they are also owned by a 36 year old feisty and stylish mother of two boys.
"Ngiyi Mbali Wines was inspired by the vines of Paarl in the Western Cape of South Africa, where a childhood dream was ignited when I met a cellar master who is the epitome of wine making," said Mbali.
It was Mbali's mother who brought home that first bottle of wine which ignited her love and interest for winemaking.
She says at first the wine tasted sour but after her mother suggested she drank it with food, the taste changed completely and she was captivated.
She spent the next years tracking down the producer of that wine who happened to be world-renowned Paarl wine farmer John-Robert Frater - the 5th generation of winemakers on De Zoete Inval Estate in Paarl.
The family has been producing wines for more than a century.
But that did not deter the determined street smart Soweto girl from eventually connecting with the cellar master from Boland, who agreed to be her mentor.
Frater was impressed by her determination and as a result she struck a good deal.
The mentorship started five years ago and will continue until she can afford her own vineyard, which is her dream. She describes Frater as a good mentor - "he is patient, he listens and is always ready to teach".
Mbali initially ran the business with her two brothers while she kept her day job in order to survive. However, she decided to quit her job as National Marketing Manager at an insurance company to focus more on her business and cash in pension funds in order to invest in the business.
Her brothers are still heavily involved in the business and they always strive to ensure that they produce distinctive tasting wines.
Introducing The Ngiyi Mbali Wines Range
Dark Angel - Pinotage
Shoki - Shiraz
Mmino - Shiraz
Sebata - Cabernet Sauvignon
Ngiyi Mbali Wines also produce a Rose wine named Dakalo and lastly a Chardonnay named Ha Senna.
Orders can be placed via Facebook,
www.NgiyiMbali.co.za or WhatsApp and calls on 0836478548.
Social Media platforms
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ngiyimbali
Twitter: @ngiyimbali
