Le Riche Wines was established in 1997 by Etienne le Riche, when it really was frowned upon to start your own brand. Etienne had great experience making red wines at Rustenberg and stepped out to forge his own future – the choices then were Delaire Graff, Canada, or starting his own brand. He chose the third. Hat's off to his guts – risking a lot but clearly his instinct and gut feeling was very well placed! Le Riche is now a very respected premium South African wine brand. Christo, Etienne's son, is now running the show, having started with his first vintage in 2011. It was quite a considered move to introduce the next generation. Le Riche is very much a family affair with Christo's sister, Cape Wine Master Yvonne, involved too with her fine palate and export business sense. Cousin Francois brings his financial knows and general charm and marketing skills too. And with the prices of their wines increased dramatically in the last few years, it clearly seems to be a financial success. The UK wine fraternity seem happy to pay 50 pounds a bottle for their flagship Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. So as a smallish brand, they are doing a lot to premiumise South African wine, and well deserved as Le Riche was the 2005 and 2015 Platter's Red Wine of the Year too. The lunch at MERTIA Restaurant in Stellenbosch on Tuesday, 14 May 2024 was a celebration of the imminent release of the 2021 Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, presented to the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek trade. We were fortunate also to taste some of their other Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons vintages – the 2022, 2001 and 2013 – all delicious and still well structured. Click HERE to read about the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021.