Gerakaris Family Wines a boutique winery in the heart of Craighall Park founded in 2009 by Kath Gerakaris. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
It may be small but it packs a punch during your visit.
The winery, Gerakaris Family Wines was founded in 2009 by Kath Gerakaris, a down to earth mom of two with a deep passion for wine, wine making and all good things local. Surprising since Kath is from New Zealand.
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However once she started working in the corporate world in Auckland, New Zealand, she knew it was not for her.
Kath enrolled at the University of Lincoln and completed a yearlong Post Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology.
With her freshly minted qualification in hand she left New Zealand and planned to travel the vineyards of the world and learn everything she could about winemaking in all the great producing countries from France to South Africa.
She set off to start in South Africa, but never left.
Kath has worked in several top South African cellars including Thelema and Flagstone.
In 2008 she moved to Johannesburg and launched Gerakaris Family Wines, a marketing company focused on bringing boutique Cape wineries to the Johannesburg market.
The business has developed into a holistic wine enterprise focussing on winemaking in Johanessburg.
‘The grapes arrive fresh to be pressed, fermented, crush, destem aged and bottled right here on the premises in Craighall Park’ says Kath
Kath produces the wine from grapes sourced from a farm in the Swartland, Western Cape. Five wines are made by Kath, two Chenin blancs and three Syrahs. They work closely with the farmers to always ensure that are receiving the best quality at all times.
At the winery you are see exactly how the process works, “you’re able to see feel and touch and smell
“We offer wine tastings of the 5 wines that we make in our winery gardens, or in the winery in case of rain.” Says Kath
Wine tastings are R100 person. They also serve a cheese board designed to match their wines, show casing four South African cheese producers, and bowls of Cape Olives.
You are able to sit in the small garden, surrounded by high trees and lush grass. You would never tell you were in a suburb in the hustling city of Johannesburg.
