South African wine accounts for less than 1% of all US imports today.

In my many years in the wine trade, rarely was South Africa a topic of discussion. In fact, in most import portfolios and sales pitches they were largely left out of the narrative. I assumed the lack of representation told the whole story, that it reflected the quality of its production, its place in the industry. Then I took a trip to South Africa. I discovered a booming industry, incredibly passionate and skilled producers, and a warm community dedicated to crafting exceptional wines. My perspective was broadened profoundly, and I was left with the question:

Why was no one championing these wines?

Culture Wine Co. was founded to share the exciting changes taking place in the South African wine industry- largely spearheaded by a young generation of winemakers focused on clean natural wines as well as organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming methods. They are producing vibrant, energetic Pinotage; a welcome change from the bombastic, high alcohol styles of the past. They’re crafting single-varietal wines from lesser-known grapes like Fernao Pires, Colombar, and Palomino; which would have traditionally been lost in bulk co-op blends.

The current South African wine scene is innovative and energized, but what sets it apart from others is its collective dedication to fostering an open, inclusive wine culture. It is inspiring to witness the camaraderie, the willingness to share knowledge, and the support this community gives.

There are so many reasons to be excited about South African wine, and Culture Wine Co. is here to share those stories

-Peter Andrews, Founder of Culture Wine Co.

We believe in telling the stories beyond the bottle.

It’s time to update the narrative of the South African winemakers who overcome extraordinary obstacles to share their craft with the world. Navigating extreme weather, from flooding to frequent drought, the lack of government subsidies, and regular power outages due to load shedding, South African winemakers demonstrate a unique resilience unlike any other region in the world.

It is said that ‘necessity breeds ingenuity’ and the producers we represent exemplify this in the vibrant culture and thriving community they cultivate, and in the inspired wines they create.

Peter Andrews, DipWSET, MBA is the founder of Culture Wine Co. and a 15-year industry veteran whose career spans wine retail, executive roles in the trade, and teaching for Johnson and Wales University, The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, and Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). He serves on the Program Development Committee for the Unified Grape Symposium and is a former board member of the Glancy Wine Education Foundation.

Peter began his career as a chef, cooking across the U.S. and in Northern Italy, where he first fell in love with wine. After returning home, he completed an MBA with the goal of building a people- and story-driven wine business. That vision led to the launch of Culture Wine Co., dedicated to championing bold, soulful wines and the producers behind them.

He is the co-founder of Hella Chenin—the only Chenin Blanc-focused wine festival in the U.S.—and of Small Poppies Wine Collective, an importer group supporting underrepresented regions and small-scale producers. Peter was named a 2025 Wine Industry Leader by Wine Business Monthly.

His LinkedIn profile is here.