Miranda Abrahams was born in Constantia, but grew up in a disadvantaged area during the apartheid era. Despite many challenges, she persevered and went on to build a successful career, owning a branding company from 2005 to 2018 before starting her own wine brand, Birthmark of Africa.
Miranda loves making connections, sharing experiences, and creating memories, whether it’s over a glass of wine, a meal, or a conversation. “I’m always looking to learn and grow, whether that’s through reading, taking courses, or seeking out new experiences,” she says. “And I’m passionate about using my gifts to serve others.”
Miranda Abrahams, owner of Birthmark of Africa Wines.
A dream come true
Although Miranda was born on a farm with vineyards, her family was forcefully displaced when she was young and she grew up in a disadvantaged neighbourhood. She also faced another source of discrimination: two prominent birthmarks.
“People always made fun of my birthmarks, saying they’re dirty marks and I did not wash myself properly,” she recalls. “Years later, God gave me a scripture that says, ‘foreigners will be your wine farmers’ (Isaiah 61:5). I also remembered a story my mom told me, that I was born in Constantia and that she ate grapes while she was pregnant with me.”
That Bible verse and childhood story kindled a curiosity about the wine industry. “Despite having no prior experience with wine, I felt a strong calling to explore this industry. I prayed about it, and the same week I had a dream. I was sitting on my bed and another me was standing beside my bed, the me that was standing looked at the one birthmark and said, ‘that’s the shape of Africa’; then she walked around the bed, looked at the other birthmark and said, ‘that’s a bunch of grapes’.”
The dream gave her the confidence she needed to start her business. She replicated the two birthmarks into a logo, and named her brand Birthmark of Africa. “I call the dream ‘God’s stamp of approval’. It was a powerful affirmation that I was on the right path, and I’ve been passionate about the wine industry ever since,” she says. “The birthmarks connect my past and present, making it a true destiny story.”
A wine career
Miranda launched Birthmark Of Africa wines on the 28 November 2018 – a moment she will never forget. “My journey has taught me the importance of passion, purpose, and trusting in God. These values are at the heart of Birthmark of Africa wines, and I’m proud to share this story with the world.”
Along with her faith, she also took inspiration and motivation from her family. “My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic and values of love, respect, compassion and kindness. My husband, children and extended family have been a significant source of inspiration and support in my life.”
Professionally, she admires wine stakeholders who have built successful businesses while staying true to their values. They continue to inspire her to make a positive impact.
Setting up the wine business came with its share of challenges. “One of the biggest hurdles was navigating the wine industry’s complex regulatory landscape,” she says. “Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, obtaining necessary licenses, and meeting quality standards required significant time, effort, and resources. Looking back, I realise that overcoming these challenges has strengthened our business and made it more resilient.”
For Africa
Her brand name also reflects a deep personal connection to the African continent and her desire to share its cultural heritage with the world. Birthmark of Africa produces wines from the Stellenbosch region; each wine is carefully crafted to showcase the best of its terroir with flavours and aromas that evoke the warmth, vibrancy, and diversity of the continent.
“Our wines are premium quality, award-winning wines, with a double gold Trophy award [2023 Rosé Wine and Spirit Challenge], and star ratings in Platter’s,” Miranda says. “We produce six still wines – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Heritage Bordeaux Blend, and a Cap Classique.”
“Our target market is wine enthusiasts who appreciate premium quality, unique wines, and exceptional taste. We believe that our commitment to producing high-quality wines that showcase the best of South Africa’s wine regions will resonate with wine enthusiasts around the world.”
To reach this target market, Miranda is busy expanding her distribution channels to reach more customers globally. Her wines are currently available online from her website and other e-commerce platforms.
Future plans
In September last year, Miranda had the opportunity to represent her brand in Denmark, where she spoke at two prominent events and shared her wines with international buyers and importers.
“The trip was a strategic move to introduce our wines to a global audience, allowing them to experience our products firsthand. I’m delighted to report that our wines received an extremely positive response from the attendees. Furthermore, our global reach continues to expand with an existing client in a country such as New Zealand, and we’re excited to explore new opportunities in the international market,” she says.
“Our plan is to establish Birthmark of Africa wines as a global brand, associated with exceptional premium quality, that ignites timeless passion for wine and leaves a lasting legacy in the world of wine for generations to come.”
Presenting her brand in Denmark.
