Our Wines

Introduction to Tanja Beutler

"I began crafting wine 24 years ago in my garage, during a time when it was still permissible. My home vineyard, nestled in the back garden, boasted 110 organic vines tended to diligently every Saturday morning with a backpack sprayer. I successfully registered this micro-farm with Sawis and obtained excise for my modest 4m x 6m cellar, which at its peak produced 18 barrels. I believe it was the country's smallest bonded warehouse at the time!
I named my brand Topaz after the street where it all began: Topaz Street in Somerset West. The decision to formalize my operation stemmed from friends taking samples to the USA, including one sent to Robert Parker, who rated my wine an impressive 87 points. Subsequently, the African Themepark restaurant at Disney, Florida, expressed interest in importing my wine, prompting me to comply with sales and export regulations.

In 2002, the South African Wine Magazine featured an article on Topaz, igniting its growth. The initial request for a tasting came from a Wine Club in Muizenberg, leading me to connect with fellow winemakers like Eben Sadie and Scali Wines. This collaboration spurred the informal birth of the Garagiste Movement of South Africa, a community focused on sharing ideas and knowledge.

Our debut at Cape Wine in 2002 garnered an overwhelming response from both local and international journalists, including Tim Atkin and Malcolm Gluck, who were intrigued by the Garagiste concept. In 2007, changes to the Liquor Act necessitated relocating the Topaz Cellar to Delvera, Stellenbosch. Despite the challenges, my 2007 Topaz Syrah received critical acclaim, earning 4.5 Stars in the Platter Guide.

In 2012, I diversified by introducing a Shiraz/Mourvèdre blend under the Topaz label, which clinched the Garagiste Trophy at the 2013 International Michelangelo Wine Awards. However, in 2018, I made the bittersweet decision to close Topaz Wines and focus on Cape Town Wine Hub, a venture I co-founded with my business partner Flagan in 2017.

The absence of my own brand over the past five years left a void, leading to the creation of 'THE HUB' in 2023 after extensive research and development. This new venture offers two wines—a white blend of Verdelho, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc, and a red blend of Shiraz and Grenache Noir—sourced from Voor Paardeberg, in collaboration with Chris Williams of 'The Foundry' wines. Working with Chris, who was present at the inaugural Garagiste Tasting in Muizenberg, has been a joy and an honor.

So, that's my journey in short—a testament to my passion for wine and commitment to the South African wine industry."

Tanja ~

the hub.

PREMIUM WHITE BLEND 2022

W.O. VOOR PAARDEBERG

CULTIVARS:
Verdelho 88%, Marsanne 6%, Grenache Blanc 6%

ANALYSIS:
Alc: 13.74% | R.S: 2.4g/l | T.A: 6,7g/l | Ph: 3.22

TASTING NOTES:
Full-bodied with ripe apricot, marmalade, and an almond creaminess,intertwined with light oak flavours.

AGEING POTENTIAL:
This wine can be enjoyed up to eight years from vintage.

THE VINEYARD:
The grapes for this wine were harvested from a boutique farm on SlentRoad, Voor Paardeberg, Paarl.

WINEMAKING:
Verdelho was fermented in older French oak barrels while Grenache Blanc and Marsanne were fermented in terracotta clay. The wine was left on finelees for almost a year with occasional batonnage.
Total production 1,500 bottles.

THE STORY OF THIS WINE:
Indulge in the epitome of elegance, with this ultra-premium Mediterranean style white blend, a symphony of opulent flavours and unmatched sophistication for the discerning palate. Sourced from vineyards a stone-throw away from the famous Swartland region.

AWARDS:
92 Points – Tim Atkin 2024 South Africa Report
Trophy Winner Unusual White 95/100 - Fine Wine Awards 2024
Niche Wines Varietal 91/100 - Winemag.co.za
2024 4 Stars - Platters Guide 2025

the hub.

PREMIUM RED BLEND 2021

W.O. VOOR PAARDEBERG

CULTIVARS:
Shiraz 60%, Grenache Noir 40%

ANALYSIS:
Alc: 13.11% | R.S: 2.9g/l | T.A: 5.3g/l | Ph: 3.62

TASTING NOTES:
Full-bodied with hints of spice, bright strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry, finishing off with a juicy plush palate.

AGEING POTENTIAL:
This wine can be enjoyed up to ten years from vintage.

THE VINEYARD:
The grapes for this wine were harvested from a boutique farm on Slent Road, Voor Paardeberg, Paarl.

WINEMAKING:
Syrah: partially destemmed and crushed with 20% whole bunches. The cap was punched down twice a day for 3 days and then remontaged twice daily for 3 days before pressing. MLF was completed in older oak barrels before maturation for 14 months in old oak. Grenache: 80% whole bunch fermentation with daily pigeage for 5 days. Pressed before maturation in 50% old oak and 50% terracotta amphora. Total production 1,500 bottles.

THE STORY OF THIS WINE:
Indulge in the epitome of elegance, with this ultra-premium Rhone-style red blend, a symphony of opulent flavours and unmatched sophistication for the discerning palate. Sourced from vineyards a stone-throw away from the famous Swartland region.

AWARDS:
89 Points – Tim Atkin 2024 South Africa Report
4 Stars - Platters Guide 2025

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