Not your everyday wine producer- Lubanzi runs as a socially conscious company crafting fairly produced wines that punch above their weight and focus on using business as a powerful force for good in the world.
Lubanzi Wines was born in Cape Town as the brainchild of two young travelers and now co-owners Charlie Brain & Walker Brown who were on the hunt for adventure and an opportunity to make a difference in the world, Lubanzi is a collaborative social enterprise with a story to tell about community, partnerships, and the value of the path less traveled. Inspired by adventure, the name comes from a wandering dog, Lubanzi, who accompanied the two owners on a whirlwind 6 day, 100 mile backpacking trip across South Africa’s Wild Coast, and who by some stroke of luck, brought this company and brand all to life!
Born and raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia by two novelists and professors, Walker has a keen eye for storytelling and strangers looking for a conversation. In addition to the wine gig, Walker is a song writer and musician who plays the banjo and the acoustic guitar. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a broad focus on Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
The son and grandson of two entrepreneurs and the great grandson of a professional baseball player - Charlie was born with a passion for taking risks and doing things differently at every turn, even if that means it might not always turn out so well. Fortunately, he's also got a knack for drinking wine and having a good time, so this whole experiment pretty much can't go wrong.
"Another South African wine, and another stunning one. It’s a blend of shiraz, grenache and mouvedre. There’s crunchy autumn fruit on the nose, like summer pudding. It’s full on the palate with dark fruit, liquorice, spice, nutty notes and a slate-y, refreshing finish. Very sophisticated."
Henry Jeffreys
Wine Expert
"Lubanzi Wine’s mission is embedded in the mindset of ‘locally run, globally minded’ and aims to connect consumers to cultivators in South Africa while producing some spectacular wine."
Grant Trahant
Founder of Causeartist
"Crisp and creamy, this white is made from 100 percent handpicked Chenin Blanc grapes grown in South Africa's famous Swartland region. It's also vegan and fair trade certified."
Victoria Spencer
Experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. Manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive.
"Finding a reliable red wine in a can pose a challenge, as most wineries tend to can their summery whites and rosés, but this blend hits all the right marks. New to the U.S. by way of Cape Town, South Africa, Lubanzi red is a Rhone-style blend featuring shiraz, cinsault, mourvèdre and grenache. It’s delightfully balanced with big ripe red fruit flavors and a crisp, clean finish."
