Seventeen87 celebrates one year of pouring wine!

Just as sugarcane farming was but once a ridiculed idea on the North Coast, so too was that of the region having its own signature wine.

Speaking at the first birthday of Sugar Rush Park-based wine cellar and tasting room, Seventeen87 last Thursday evening, Enterprise iLembe board chairperson Xolani Gumede related the history of sugarcane pioneer and visionary, Edmund Morewood.

Morewood, a former harbour master at the port of Durban, bought a large piece of land at Compensation in 1851 on which he started his sugar enterprise. Within one year he succeeded in growing and crushing cane at what is today the Morewood memorial site, South Africa’s first sugar mill.

“He believed the region could not only grow sugarcane, but become a world leader in this industry,” said Xolani.

At Enterprise iLembe they had similar aspirations for Seventeen87, which produces a range of white and red wines, including rosé.

“We believe we can create something just as impactful with our wine project,” said Xolani.

“We aim to become a global tourism destination and there is no reason why it cannot be done, particularly as this was achieved previously by Morewood, literally across the road,” said Xolani.

Sharing this vision, iLembe mayor Siduduzo Gumede said that without tourism, there would be no jobs. He said through the continued partnership between the iLembe district municipality and Enterprise iLembe, Seventeen87 could become one of the drawcards of the North Coast, and a pioneer wine cellar.

The cellar takes its name from the signature wine, Seventeen87, which pays homage to King Shaka’s birth year, 1787.

The iLembe Vineyards and Winery Project was first started 11 years ago, with Villard Blanc being planted in Maphumulo, Ndwedwe and Mandeni.

The wine estates have since been closed and the grapes which form part of the Seventeen87 brand are sourced from other wine estates.

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