Heritage on display: Blaauwklippen debuts documentary at WTM Africa to celebrate SA winemaking history
Blaauwklippen Wine Estate showcased 340+ years of winemaking excellence on Monday with the premiere of its new documentary film on viticulture and viniculture in the Cape Winelands. The showing was a major draw for delegates at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026 exhibition held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on 13 April 2026.
WTM Africa brings together international and local travel trade leaders, buyers, distributors, agents, and media, making it one of the continent’s most influential platforms for connecting directly with the decision-makers who help shape the travel market globally.
Blaauwklippen’s film premiere formed part of the event’s dedicated Wine Tourism Track, where destinations and operators explored how wine estates are positioning themselves within the growing global travel segment. Blaauwklippen used the session to introduce a preview of its documentary to registered delegates, pairing the screening with a curated tasting experience that placed the estate’s story at the head of Africa’s broader tourism sector.
The documentary titled “Fire and Wine” was produced by T&W in collaboration with Capitalize Media and tells the story of Blaauwklippen Wine Estate since its founding in 1682. Told through the people behind the estate, including award winning winemaker Narina Cloete, the film layers an incredible history with fascinating present-day narratives to paint a portrait of one of the Cape Winelands’ most celebrated estates.
The full-length film runs for approximately 85 minutes and traces the estate’s accomplishments across more than three centuries of winemaking tradition. It documents how the devastating 2024 Manor House fire, and the restoration that followed, sparked a period of renewal as the estate set a new course for growth and greater stability over the next few years. The WTM Africa screening provided delegates with a 30-minute window into that journey. The segment was carefully selected to capture the spirit of the full film while leaving audiences wanting more. The complete documentary will be released soon.
Blaauwklippen’s Craig Bester, Chief Brand Executive was joined on stage by Jean Willers, Deputy Managing Director of Capitalize Media, along with the rest of the Blaauwklippen team to share the story behind the story and the thinking that brought this project to life. Blaauwklippen’s signature Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux blends were paired with sections of the film, creating a unique tasting and viewing experience for some 80 guests.
“This is a love letter to one of South Africa’s great wine estates,” said Willers. “Telling this story through film allows us to take audiences somewhere they’ve never been for an experience of taste, sound, and sight as unique as the idea of pairing a wine tasting with a cinematic journey. Its ultimate purpose was to leave travel trade delegates with a renewed appreciation for South African winemaking, with Blaauwklippen at the centre.”
Blaauwklippen beyond the gates
Seated in the heart of Stellenbosch, Blaauwklippen is not only South Africa’s first registered business but also its oldest Wine Estate. For generations, it has welcomed visitors from across the world, earning its place as both a celebrated wine producer and a destination in its own right. Travellers are drawn by breathtaking landscapes, a rich history of viticulture that has shaped the Stellenbosch winelands, and a standard of hospitality that few industries can match..
