The beginning:

In February 2009 Joseph Dhafana and his wife fled Zimbabwe to seek a better life in South Africa. Joseph soon found a job as a gardener at the famous Bar Bar Black Sheep restaurant in Riebeek Kasteel, and was quickly promoted to barman, and on his 29th birthday he tasted his first glass of wine, a Pieter Cruythoff Methodé Cap Classique.

In 2013 Joseph enrolled at the Cape Wine Academy. He eventually left Riebeek Kasteel to further pursue his new-found passion in Cape Town, and in 2014 got his first opportunity to produce his own wine at Antebellum Wines based at Meerhof Cellars

His meteoric rise to one of the most recognizable young figures in the wine industry is nothing short of remarkable. former head sommelier at La Colombe, Joseph is also a board member of the Black Cellar Club (BLACC) and captain of Team Zimbabwe which competed at the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships in Burgundy in 2017

A Project of His Own:

In 2014, Dhafana was named head sommelier at the fine dining establishment La Colombe. At a time when he could kick up his feet and enjoy his success, Dhafana did the opposite and pursued another venture—winemaking. He built upon his 2013 harvest (the crucial period when ripe grapes are picked from the grapevines) with Chris Mullineux and kept a close eye on the process from start to finish.

His brand Mosi Wines and spirits produces wines and gin. The wines are produced from 100% South African grapes and are low intervention, so they’re made with minimal chemical additives. Dhafana describes why he’s gone this route. “Low or minimal intervention wines are the best for me because they usually reflect true terroir or origin and that usually leads to quality. I can only make or sell what I can drink.”

He partnered with the app LABELinmotion to bring the wine bottles to life. Customers can scan the label using the app to take a virtual tour through Victoria Falls, the magnificent waterfall that sits between Zambia and Zimbabwe. For joseph, it’s a way to create a full-circle experience of tasting his wine while journeying to his homeland

Some memories along the journey:

One of the most recognised and well-respected names in the wine and restaurant industry, he is also a board member of the Black Cellar Club (BLACC) and captain of Team Zimbabwe, which competed at the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships in Burgundy in 2017 and 2018. Tongai was also part of Team SA - who won the 2015 South African Wine Tasting Championships and went to France with Jean Vincent Ridon to participate in the World Blind Champs.

Passion and skill won Joseph Tongai Dhafana the 2019 Mercedes-Benz eat Out Wine Service Award.