About Us:

The People Behind Old Vines:

IRINA BOTHA, or her maiden name, VON HOLDT, is probably best known as a wine writer and critic, a career that was developed after she qualified as a Cape Wine Master. She has been a columnist for several publications including the Sunday Times, African Panorama, Diners Club and Woman's Value, as well as contributing to Winelands and Wine magazine. She continues to act as an associate for the annual John Platter SA Wine Guide and was main contributor to Colin Collard's book, All The Winners. She acts as a judge for Veritas, the Diners Club Wine List of the Year competition, Wine of the Month Club and was the first woman invited to sit on the industry panel for the annual SAA tastings. She is also currently Chairman of the Chenin Blanc Association.

FRANÇOISE BOTHA developed an interest in wine through the activities of her mother. She has completed her Diploma II studies through the Cape Wine Academy and has a B.Com degree. Since the beginning of 2001, she has taken over the running of OLD VINES, expanding her traditional responsibilities of financial control and marketing. As a former financial journalist, she continues to write about wine, finance and investment on a freelance basis.

Old Vines Wine Cellars, South Africa's only women's empowerment winery, was started in 1995 by mother and daughter team, Irina von Holdt and Françoise Botha, with the aim of making Chenin Blanc the quality white wine flagbearer of South Africa. The impact has been tremendous, both on the wine industry and in terms of the empowerment of women. South Africa is now seeing more wineries paying attention to Chenin Blanc, some even introducing it to their ranges - something that had not been done for a long time. Following the release of our first vintage in 1995, we have also seen the introduction of the annual Wine Magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge, a Cape Wine Masters' seminar on the variety and in 2000, the formation of the Chenin Blanc Association. Old Vines remains South Africa's only women's empowerment winery from ownership through to production. The winery now employs 16 women from all walks of life, as well as one man, who together are responsible for the production of the wine and running the office. All other activities are outsourced to small businesses.