Kalahari Vleishuis is a butchery with deep roots in Keimoes in the Northern Cape. In 2022, this popular landmark made waves when their 2022 Sauvignon Blanc won Double Gold at the prestigious Veritas Awards. We spoke with the owner, Patricia van der Merwe.
Patricia van der Merwe, proprietor of Kalahari Vleishuis butchery in Keimoes.
Please tell us a little more about yourself?
I was born and raised in Keimoes. My Grandfather Koos Smit and then my parents Willem and Helene Smit owned the two slaughterhouses in the town. During my high school days, they sold the slaughterhouses and continued farming.
So I’m a third generation butcher and since 2002 our proud business has been known far and wide for its top quality meat, prompt service and delicious delicacies from the Kalahari and Bushmanland.
Kalahari Vleishuis is located on the R27 route and tourists make up a large percentage of our clients. There’s always something exciting happening here and visiting us always feels a bit like an adventure!
What prompted you to start your own wine label?
My husband is also involved in the wine industry, and we both love wine. We like to drink interesting, good quality white, red and sparkling wines.
I saw the opportunity to expand the footprint of Kalahari Vleishuis, which is synonymous with good quality meat, by also offering some top quality wines to my clients. And because good white or red wines are so easily and well paired with good Kalahari or Bushmanland mutton, it was a natural step.
Tell us more about the Kalahari Vleishuis range?
The Kalahari Vleishuis range has consisted of a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinotage for the past five years. The Kalahari Vleishuis Sauvignon Blanc received a silver Veritas award in 2019, and the Pinotage generates great interest among international clients who annually visit the Augrabies Falls, Kgalagadi Park and other Northern Cape attractions.
I found the perfect business partners in the Brink Family of Pulpit Rock in Riebeek Kasteel, with Dewald Huysamen as winemaker. The grapes for the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc come from bush vines in the Darling area.
The Veritas Double Gold winner Kalahari Vleishuis Sauvignon Blanc 2022.
What’s next for Kalahari Vleishuis?
I would like to see organic, free-range meat from the Northern Cape become more popular in the future. Due to the heat in the Northern Cape, a refreshing rosé makes sense for the next label in the series.
Kalahari Vleishuis Wines are available from Kalahari Vleishuis, Bray Spar (Keimoes) and Red Ox Restaurant (Upington).
WATCH: Veritas Awards 2022
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