Holly & Simon Bellingham Turner
The Wine
Sumaridge Estates a jewel in South Africa’s crown, sitting on the crest of The Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley, rising up above the Bay of Hermanus. It is a stunning place to visit. The maritime breezes ensure a coolness and minerality about the wines, in contrast to so many of their national competitors. As Estate Wines, you know that only a few hundred yards separates the grape from the press and that the true vintages are lovingly constructed.
Sporting Connection
Simon and Holly are huge sporting fans; cricket, rugby and football are just three of their passions. Their particular focus is supporting player welfare and they have put their wines and beautiful lodge to work in many a charity event and auction. Uniquely, they have also recently built a rugby pitch in their vineyard for a township rugby team, the ‘Blackbirds’, so they can now keep playing the game they love.
What the winemaker says
When Simon & Chris established the Sporting Wine Club, and having known them both for some time, ensuring that their members could receive Sumaridge seemed – unlike most games – a foregone conclusion! While to some people wine and sport might seem strange bedfellows, we all know that, whatever the sport, the gladiatorial battles fought on the pitch are all but forgotten in the camaraderie of the bar!
