Dream of owning your own wine label? A new app-supported concept links you up with some of South Africa’s top cellarmasters and vineyards, and lets you realise your dream even if you reside outside the winelands.

Through WineConnected, a venture developed by Western Cape farmer and entrepreneur Peter Stuart, you have access to three leading winemakers - Jeff Grier (Villiera), Kevin Grant (Ataraxia) and Niels Verburg (Luddite) – and selected vineyards in the highly rated Walker Bay area, including Gabriëlskloof, Wildekrans and Benguela Cove.

You choose the style of wine to be made (cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, shiraz, chardonnay, a Bordeaux blend and méthode cap classique sparkling are currently available), the type of oak barrel to be used for maturation, if applicable, and the vineyard you prefer. The final major decision is the winemaker who will vinify the vintage for you.

You then follow the progress of the vintage via a specially designed app, which lets you view weekly reports, pictures and videos from “your” vineyard. You also get regular invitations to events in the vineyard and cellar, such as picnics and tastings of the wine as it matures. You can even lend a hand with the harvest.

Closer to bottling time you get to design your own label, and choose from a range of bottle shapes and colours as well as packaging options, affording a good measure of personalisation.

For pricing and further information, click through to www.wineconnected.com or contact Shahreen Kasselman on +27 (0)76 593-7287 or shahreen@wineconnected.com.