New reality TV series showcasing SA winemakers is proudly sponsored by Ardagh Glass Packaging
Ardagh Glass Packaging-Africa (Ardagh, formerly Consol Glass) is proud to announce its headline sponsorship of Die Wynmeester, a brand-new reality TV series celebrating independent winemakers across the Cape Winelands.
· 2 min read
The eight-episode series affords viewers an exclusive insight into the fine art of winemaking as six independent winemakers journey from vineyard to bottle, competing for the title of Die Wynmeester.
The winemakers include Carmen Stevens, Jasper Wickens, Clarise Sciocatti-Langeveldt, Neville Lotz, Xander Grier and Banele Vakele. Presenter Danie van der Merwe infuses the show with his infectious, warm personality and avid curiosity for winemaking, while Abrie Beeslaar brings years of experience in the industry to his role as head judge.
Thomas Shaw, Chief Commercial Officer at Ardagh Glass Packaging-Africa, said, “Wine isn’t just a beverage. It’s a story of land, time, and craftsmanship. At Ardagh we protect that story with the perfect vessel: one that’s natural, endlessly recyclable, safe, and which perfectly protects taste, purity and shelf life. Ardagh glass is made for wine and built for the future, backed by Africa’s most advanced glass making facilities.”
Ardagh is a long-standing supporter of the South African wine industry and has, for decades, been a supplier of quality glass bottles for South African winemakers. Ardagh has invested substantially into its facilities in South Africa to assure sufficient supply for the wine industry’s current and future demand.
“Glass is the perfect packaging choice for the wine industry,” Shaw continued. “Glass is completely natural and contains no harmful chemicals, additives or impurities. Glass is 100% and infinitely recyclable, bottle to bottle, which enables a circular economy as it can safely be reused and endlessly recycled. Glass also extends shelf life, retaining the product’s integrity, taste and flavour, keeping it precisely as intended by the winemaker.”
Ardagh has built a reputation in the industry for quality and innovation, particularly regarding lightweighting – reducing the weight of bottles without compromising their durability or strength. Lighter wine bottles require less raw material, which means reduced costs and lower carbon footprints.
Shaw concluded, “We believe glass goes beyond basic packaging – it locks in flavour, celebrates heritage, and enables innovation. We’re excited for this opportunity to be a part of a series shining a spotlight on the incredibly talented independent winemakers in South Africa. Our premium glass packaging solutions, rooted in innovation and circularity, empower wine producers to build brand value, meet eco-conscious expectations, and protect the planet. Together, we’re building a resilient wine industry for generations to come.”
Catch the premiere of Die Wynmeester on Wednesday, 03 September at 18h00 on VIA, DStv channel 147.
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