Winemaking is a white-dominated industry in South Africa and Paul Maake is one of the young, black men to venture into this business in an attempt to change the status quo.
The 29 years old from the dusty streets of Mentz Ga-Shiloane broke into this trade in 2019 and his brand (Paul M Wines) continues to make strides to this day despite the odds he encounters.
Earlier this month his wine was nominated to compete with other biggest brands from around the world in Shanghai in China. He could not make it there due to financial constraints and notwithstanding his attempts to get funding from government departments and private entities, his wine was voted number one of all the nominees.
On why he thinks his wine is a cut above the rest, he said that “it is because I use new and fresh grapes. I do not wait for them to dry up or putrefy as other wineries do”, said Paul.
Although marketing his brand is still one of the challenges, He managed to get it to the shelves at numerous Pubs in and around Polokwane. Maake is currently working on taking it to Shoprite Liquor stores and other retailers.
Paul added that he was doing Grade 10 when he fell in love with winemaking and it all started when he embarked on wine-tasting tours in the country. “I went for wine-tasting in Magoebaskloof, (outside Tzaneen), as well as Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. From there I went to numerous wine-tasting events” ,he said.
After completing Grade 12, he went to College where he studied Electric Engineering and preceded to another college where he did short courses in Media Studies. “I still felt that these were not the careers I wanted to focus more on. I then conducted research on winemaking, how to make my own bottle of wine as well as my brand. When everything was considered, I started advertising it on social media” said Paul as he narrated his story about Paul M Wines.
To get hold of Paul Maake, you can call him on his cell 079 772 7229 and his brand’s Facebook handle is Paul M Wines.
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