The South African wine estate said the recent harvest was a very good one and while volumes might be down, quality will not be compromised.

Owner and managing director Kobus Basson told DI: “South Africa generally speaking is at quite an exciting stage right now. We have a lot of positives at the moment and there is no ceiling in terms of quality.

“There are always a lot of challenges. In South Africa we have our specific ones. The main challenge for South Africa is to move in terms of price and segment to move solidly upwards – to move to the upper segment of the market.”

Kleine Zalze is available in 25 markets and Basson said it is moving to higher tiers in some.

He added: “I don’t think anything will happen suddenly in our markets. It will be a gradual revolution. It wouldn’t help us to think it will happen over night.

“We believe things are on the right track and we may even drop a bit at the bottom segment. South Africa can’t grow exponentially and we don’t have volumes to sell the most but that is why it is about refinement for us.”