Mia Martensson joins The Winery of Good Hope
Stellenbosch-based, innovative producer The Winery of Good Hope has added a new personal ity to its growing and highly specialised team. Mia Mårtensson, currently Head Sommelier at the Grande Roche in Paarl, will assume her new role as in-house Sommelier and Marketing and PR Manager at The Winery of Good Hope, starting from the first week of May. After a high-profile career in her native Sweden where she worked as Head Sommelier in some of that country's top Michelin-Star establishments, Mårtensson moved to the Cape in 2005, following a trade visit the previous year during which she fell in love with the Cape.
"In my capacity as vice-President of the Swedish Sommelier Association and in collaboration with Wines of South Africa, I first came down here to attend the Cape Wine show in March 2004. That's when I got the Cape-bug and, some months later, when I was offered the opportunity to become Head Sommelier of Bosman's at the Grande Roche, I just jumped at it," explains Mårtensson.
Several years later, and with an excellent understanding of the South African wine industry, Mårtensson's analysis is that there are great opportunities for quality, up-and-coming wineries to build strong distribution through the developing South African restaurant sector. While many of the larger groups and lazy distributors resort to paying bribes or dubious "fees" to restaurants to buy selections on wine lists, Mårtensson is convinced that the only way to build a loyal, long-term following in the On-Trade is through consistent quality, service and innovation.
"Those restaurants who really care about their wines will always put quality first - and invariably they always develop the best wine lists in the country. With the growing sophistication of the domestic consumer, plus the impact of high tourism spend in our restaurants, the future is rosy for premium producers who understand the importance of working closely with their restaurant customers. It's all about being present and consistently getting the quality message across. Let's face it, both need each other equally, so focusing on these relationships can only result in increased synergies between wine producer and restaurant-owner. It's the same with the best independent retailers."
Founder of The Winery of Good Hope Alex Dale comments on Mårtensson's arrival within his team: "Mia has been a loyal follower of ours, since she ran the wine list at the legendary 2 Michelin Star restaurant Edsbacka Krog in Stockholm and then subsequently at the Grande Roche. She has always understood our non-conventional wines and our alternative approach".
He continues: "We have always avoided the increasingly commodity-like supermarket sector and are progressively building an excellent following in top restaurants and independent retailers. So while I guess that limits our options to under ¼ of the domestic wine market, it is a niche which is highly specialised and increasingly quality-driven; a natural match for us and we're extremely excited to get Mia on-board to focus on it. It will be fun to cut her loose on the country as our own roving Sommelier".
Noting that the Sommelier trade itself is in its infancy in South Africa, Dale adds that having Mårtensson available to assist its restaurant customers with staff training, wine list development and inventory management, can only give The Winery of Good Hope an added advantage with its customer-base. "Mia will be able to assist those who need to improve their service, their lists and their profitability through efficiency - and this without charge. A more thoughtful way of benefiting our customers and of succeeding through service rather than paying 'listing-bribes'! We are an optimistic bunch of people and have learned that by consistently working hard, with quality and innovation, you'll always find a market."
Mårtensson will also assume responsibility for managing relations with the Scandinavian Sommelier Associations as well as communications with the domestic South African Press. Other ranges produced by The Winery of Good Hope - Radford Dale, Black Rock and Vinum.
"In my capacity as vice-President of the Swedish Sommelier Association and in collaboration with Wines of South Africa, I first came down here to attend the Cape Wine show in March 2004. That's when I got the Cape-bug and, some months later, when I was offered the opportunity to become Head Sommelier of Bosman's at the Grande Roche, I just jumped at it," explains Mårtensson.
Several years later, and with an excellent understanding of the South African wine industry, Mårtensson's analysis is that there are great opportunities for quality, up-and-coming wineries to build strong distribution through the developing South African restaurant sector. While many of the larger groups and lazy distributors resort to paying bribes or dubious "fees" to restaurants to buy selections on wine lists, Mårtensson is convinced that the only way to build a loyal, long-term following in the On-Trade is through consistent quality, service and innovation.
"Those restaurants who really care about their wines will always put quality first - and invariably they always develop the best wine lists in the country. With the growing sophistication of the domestic consumer, plus the impact of high tourism spend in our restaurants, the future is rosy for premium producers who understand the importance of working closely with their restaurant customers. It's all about being present and consistently getting the quality message across. Let's face it, both need each other equally, so focusing on these relationships can only result in increased synergies between wine producer and restaurant-owner. It's the same with the best independent retailers."
Founder of The Winery of Good Hope Alex Dale comments on Mårtensson's arrival within his team: "Mia has been a loyal follower of ours, since she ran the wine list at the legendary 2 Michelin Star restaurant Edsbacka Krog in Stockholm and then subsequently at the Grande Roche. She has always understood our non-conventional wines and our alternative approach".
He continues: "We have always avoided the increasingly commodity-like supermarket sector and are progressively building an excellent following in top restaurants and independent retailers. So while I guess that limits our options to under ¼ of the domestic wine market, it is a niche which is highly specialised and increasingly quality-driven; a natural match for us and we're extremely excited to get Mia on-board to focus on it. It will be fun to cut her loose on the country as our own roving Sommelier".
Noting that the Sommelier trade itself is in its infancy in South Africa, Dale adds that having Mårtensson available to assist its restaurant customers with staff training, wine list development and inventory management, can only give The Winery of Good Hope an added advantage with its customer-base. "Mia will be able to assist those who need to improve their service, their lists and their profitability through efficiency - and this without charge. A more thoughtful way of benefiting our customers and of succeeding through service rather than paying 'listing-bribes'! We are an optimistic bunch of people and have learned that by consistently working hard, with quality and innovation, you'll always find a market."
Mårtensson will also assume responsibility for managing relations with the Scandinavian Sommelier Associations as well as communications with the domestic South African Press. Other ranges produced by The Winery of Good Hope - Radford Dale, Black Rock and Vinum.
