Beyond chenin blanc and pinotage, Whole Foods Market® features range of diverse, delicious wines from South Africa this fall

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With modernized, earth friendly wine production, South Africa has come into its own in the last decade, creating beautiful wines with high standards and a minimal impact on natural resources, which are a great fit for Whole Foods Market. From now through October, the company will celebrate wines of South Africa that offer popular fruit-forward styles with the restrained elegance of the Old World.

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Every bottle of South African wine carries an integrity and sustainability seal, which guarantees place of origin and a commitment to measureable, sustainable practices by the country's Wine and Spirit Board. The certification seal, an industry first providing traceability of the wine back to its specific vineyard and winery, combined with the biodiversity of the region and commitment of the winemakers has produced top notch wines at incredible values.

"South African wines are no longer the little brother of the wine world; these wines are first-class and offer incredible value," said Doug Bell, global wine buyer for Whole Foods Market. "From bright, well-balanced chardonnays to deeply complex red blends, Whole Foods Market looks forward to turning our shoppers on to the breadth of what the country has to offer."

Twitter Tasting
Wine enthusiasts 21 and older can taste these wines at Whole Foods Market store events or join two Twitter Tastings using hashtag #WFMwine on Sept. 12, 7-8 p.m. CT and Oct. 10, 7-8 p.m. CT.

Win a trip to South Africa
From Sept. 3-18, shoppers can enter to win a luxurious trip for two to South Africa that includes round-trip airfare, five-star lodging, six days visiting wineries, and four days in Cape Town.  Sponsored by Wines of South Africa, the contest will award trips to three individuals who are selected by a two-round judging process for their entries describing which South African wine featured at Whole Foods Market they are most excited to try. Entrants must be 21 years or older to enter. Details available starting Sept. 3 at wholefoodsmarket.com/southafrica.

Featured South African wines

• Protea Chenin Blanc
• Indaba Sauvignon Blanc
• DMZ Chardonnay
• The Wolftrap Syrah Mourvèdre Viognier
• Robertson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
• Flagstone Dragon Tree
• Bellingham Small Barrel S.M.V.

For more information, visit wholefoodsmarket.com/wine.

Contact:
Ashley Hawkins, Whole Foods Market
(512) 542.0381
Ashley.Hawkins@wholefoods.com

SOURCE Whole Foods Market