Joseph Dhafana's Journey – From Refugee to Wine Expert
Magazin | Journal Menschen, Südafrikanischer Weinmacher, Südafrika
Whenever we hear or tell the story, it sends shivers down our spine and brings tears to our eyes, as it feels almost fairy-tale-like. Joseph's journey, from refugee to celebrated sommelier and winemaker, is a touching narrative that reminds us of the capabilities of the human spirit!
A Tale of Destiny
In February 2009, Joseph Dhafana and his wife fled from Zimbabwe to seek a better life in South Africa. Joseph soon found work as a gardener in the renowned restaurant Bar Bar Black Sheep in Riebeek Kasteel, quickly being promoted to bartender. On his 29th birthday, he tasted his first glass of wine, a Pieter Cruythoff Methodé Cap Classique. Joseph recalls that he imagined himself in the vineyards, contemplating how someone could transform grapes into such a magnificent liquid. This spark has followed him ever since. In 2013, Joseph enrolled at the Cape Wine Academy. Ultimately, he left Riebeek Kasteel to pursue his newfound passion in Cape Town, where he received the opportunity to produce his own wine at Antebellum Wines based in Meerhof Cellars in 2014. In 2015, he traveled to France as part of the South Africa Team at the World Sommelier Championship.
His meteoric rise to one of the most recognized young figures in the wine industry is remarkable. Joseph was the head sommelier at La Colombe, a board member of the Black Cellar Club (BLACC), and captain of the Zimbabwe Team that competed at the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships in Burgundy in 2017.
The Triumph of the Four-Leaf Clover
The French sommelier Denis Garret, who worked with Joseph years before and recognized his exceptional palate, became the coach of the Zimbabwe Team. Four Zimbabweans – Joseph, Tinashe Nyamudoka, Marlvin Gwese, and Pardon Taguzu – left their homeland in search of better lives and found success. All four secured their place in the South African wine industry and trained as sommeliers. They share a common background and a love for wine. The idea was born: why not participate with a Zimbabwe Team in the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships? Facing 23 competing nations, the championship was essentially about identifying not only the grape varietal but also the producer, vintage, region, and country of origin of the wines.
A comment from the later released documentary Blind Ambition stated that this mission was akin to sending a ski team from Egypt to the Olympics. Given Zimbabwe's history, it defies all odds that their team was able to compete in such a revered tradition. "It was an absolutely overwhelming experience for all of us," recalls Joseph. "You have to consider competing against people who have grown up with wine for 30 years, while I was raised in a Pentecostal community where wine was deemed a sin."
In 2017, two African teams from a total of 24 worldwide participated in the championship, with the Zimbabwe team finishing in 23rd place, while the South African team finished 14th! By 2018, the Fantastic Four had already moved up to 14th place! What an achievement!
Today, Joseph is the founder and director of Mosi Wines and Spirits. One of Harry Hartman's wines, the Harry Hartman Mosi Classic Style Blend, was created by Joseph! Try it for yourself!
A story that Bacchus, the Olympic god of wine, would have been proud of!
