Come taste, learn and indulge in the elegance of a variety of South African Wines, a country that has been gaining much attention in recent times for its enjoyable and affordable wines. This event is brought to you in partnership with the South Africans In Singapore (SAiSG) organization.

Taste over 40 thoughtfully selected wines from various producers from different South African vinegrowing regions, accompanied by South African-inspired canapes and light bites prepared by the Riverboat’s in-house culinary team. A selection of peripheral activities have also been planned to enhance your event experience.

Featured Wineries

For this event, we have worked with a number of local importers to present wines from the following wineries. Before we begin, here’s a shoutout to our participating importers: African Marketplace, Angra Wines, Corney & Barrow, Stellez Vine, TTG Wines, and Wine Exquisite!

Lineup of Activities

Tasting Hall
At the heart of the event is a walkaround tasting hall on the Riverboat’s al-fresco Bridge Deck (L3). Taste as many South African wines as you please, and chat up the wine specialists stationed at the booths. For those who are very thirsty indeed, a couple of wines have also been designated “free-flow” for the day!

Canapes & Light Bites
Accompanying the wines on deck will be a selection of canapes and light bites featuring, traditional South African jerky-like Beef Biltong, as well as contemporary creations. A must-try is the Boerewors sausage fresh off the BBQ, and served with a delicious chutney taught to us by a native South African friend.

Wine Sales
Buy your favourite wines at discounted prices! All wines will be available for cash-and-carry purchases, and free delivery can be arranged for larger orders of $200 or more.

Workshops & Guided Tastings
Join our “Basics of Wine Appreciation” workshop at 5pm, where beginners will be equipped with skills and knowledge to better appreciate all kinds of wines. Learn more about South Africa’s signature red grape at our “All About Pinotage” workshop at 6pm. Both workshops are conducted by the Riverboat’s CEO Daryl Saw, who is a certified wine specialist. Limited to 30 participants per session, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Games & Quizzes
Participate in games and quizzes, as well as our signature blind tasting challenge, and stand a chance to win proudly South African wine hampers!

Dining Privileges
Enjoy 10% discount on all F&B orders at Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill on the Main Deck (L1) which serves authentic Texan-Mexican cuisine, and Wood & Steel Gastrobar on the Bridge Deck (L3) which does some cool, contemporary bar bites.

Tickets & Enquiries

Online: $40nett
At the Door: $45nett

Purchase your tickets online to be guaranteed a place. Sign up as a SAiSG member for $50 on Meemoz app to enjoy a $10 discount at this event as well as other privileges and invitations. For further enquiries, please call 62785775.

A Little About South African Wines

Ever since Jan van Riebeeck’s vineyard in Cape Town yielded its first fruits in 1659, South Africa entered the world of wine production and worked its way to becoming the 8th largest wine producing country in the world today. Van Riebeeck was at that time an employee of the Dutch East India Company, and was assigned to manage a way-station for ships travelling to the East Indies. Part of his job was to establish a vineyard to produce wines for the purpose of preventing scurvy among sailors. Little did he know what the South African wine industry would become many years later!

Van Riebeeck was succeeded by Simon van der Stel as governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Van der Stel, who had winemaking experience in Muiderberg, Netherlands, sought to improve the quality of South African wines. He purchased 750 hectares of land in 1685 and established the Constantia wine estate. Today, Groot Constantia holds the title of being South Africa’s oldest wine estate, and continues to produce top quality wines including their famous Grand Constance.

One cannot talk about South African wines without mentioning their locally-invented Pinotage, which is a cross between Pinot Noir and Hermitage. Developed by the Stellenbosch University in 1925, Pinotage was originally an attempt to help the delicate Pinot Noir grape survive in South Africa’s harsh climate by cross-breeding it with the robust Hermitage grape, also known as Cinsaut. The result was more than successful, creating a new and original taste profile that is very much unique to South Africa.

Recent years have also seen an increase of international varietals being planted, and large scale production for both the domestic and export market. Having been freed from apartheid rule since 1948, South Africa has opened up to the global market, and we can only expect to see its wines have greater and greater presence in the world’s cellars in the years to come.