April 29 – May 7 | Various Locations in Northern California
Berserkers—if you’ve been curious about what’s really happening in South African wine right now, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. From April 29 to May 7, Culture Wine Co. is bringing two of the country’s most exciting young winemakers—Ali Verburg of Luddite Wines and Bernhard Bredell of Scions of Sinai—to Northern California for a whirlwind week of tastings, dinners, and winemaker hangs.
This is an incredibly rare opportunity to taste with the people behind the bottles—no importer middlemen, no marketing fluff. Just raw talent, serious terroir, and some of the most soulful wines being made anywhere in the world right now.
If you geek out on old-vine Chenin, dry-farmed Syrah, bush vine Cinsault, or coastal Pinotage with a whole lot of lift—this is for you.
Meet the Winemakers
Ali Verburg – Luddite Wines (Bot River)
Luddite is already a benchmark name for South African Syrah, and Ali—daughter of founders Niels and Penny Verburg—is taking it into the next era. She’s worked vintages everywhere from Sicily to Michigan (yes, really), and her fresh perspective is electrifying. Expect powerful but pure wines with a deep sense of place.
Bernhard Bredell – Scions of Sinai (Helderberg, Stellenbosch)
Bernhard is a seventh-generation farmer who’s gone full regenerative and low-intervention. His vineyards are just 1.5 miles from False Bay, and every bottle he makes feels like a love letter to the granite soils and salty air of the Helderberg. His single-site Chenins and Cinsaults are already culty in the right circles—and for good reason.
Event Schedule
Tuesday, April 29 – 20 Spot (San Francisco)
No-frills, no reservations—just a killer lineup of South African wines by the glass at one of SF’s best-kept wine bar secrets.
**5pm–8pm | NO TIX NECESSARY
Wednesday, April 30 – Vintage Berkeley (Vine St.)
Patio tasting with the winemakers. Special guests include Craig Haarmeyer.
**5pm–7pm | NO TIX NECESSARY
Thursday, May 1 – Ever After Wines (Sacramento)
A curated South African flight that punches well above its weight.
**5pm–8pm | NO TIX NECESSARY
Friday, May 2 – Best Friends (Albany)
Up close and personal with the winemakers in one of the East Bay’s coolest new wine spaces.
**5pm–7pm | NO TIX NECESSARY
Monday, May 5 – Compline Wine Bar (Napa)
We’re bringing South Africa to Napa. Expect a deep, structured flight and sharp conversation.
**5pm–7pm | 
GET TICKETS HERE
Tuesday, May 6 – Greens Restaurant (San Francisco)
A multi-course vegetarian dinner paired with standout wines from the lineup. One night only.
**5pm–7pm | GET TICKETS HERE
Wednesday, May 7 – GiGi’s Wine Lounge (San Francisco)
We close the tour with a relaxed flight night at Gigi’s. Easy, casual, and delicious. | 5-7pm | No Tix Needed
If you’re even remotely interested in what South Africa has to offer, don’t sleep on this. These winemakers are the future—come taste what it’s all about.
*Questions? Email me - peter@culturewineco.com