12 Wines, 6 Winemakers, 4 Courses: The South African Wine Dinner You Can't Miss This Summer
Quick summary: On 24th June, Vivat Bacchus London Bridge hosts an unmissable South African wine dinner in partnership with PIWOSA — six acclaimed winemakers in the room, twelve premium wines poured, and a four-course Braai feast to match. Tickets are £89.50. Here's everything you need to know.
London has no shortage of wine events, but few put you in the same room as the people who actually made the wine. On Wednesday 24th June, Vivat Bacchus London Bridge is doing exactly that — and we're calling it now: this is one of the finest South African wine experiences the city has seen this year.
If you haven't come across Vivat Bacchus before, we're London's South African restaurant and wine bar with locations in Farringdon and London Bridge. Like Humble Grape, we believe wine is best enjoyed with the full story behind it. Unlike most wine dinners, this one delivers that story directly from the winemakers themselves.
An Extraordinary Evening with PIWOSA's Finest
In partnership with Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa (PIWOSA) — a collective of likeminded premium producers from across the Western Cape's diverse wine regions — we've brought together six of the country's most celebrated winemakers for one lekker evening in the City.
Meet the Winemakers
These aren't brand representatives or sommeliers reading tasting notes off a sheet. These are the owners and producers themselves, every one of them in the room all night:
Rollo Gabb — Journey's End
Ken Forrester — Ken Forrester Wines
Paul Cluver — Paul Cluver Estate
Jeanette Bruwer — Springfield Estate
Jonathan Grieve — Avondale Wine
Alex Dale — Radford Dale
Between them, these six estates represent the incredible breadth of premium South African winemaking — from the cool-climate precision of Elgin to the sun-drenched intensity of Stellenbosch. Together they pour twelve wines across four courses of our signature Braai feast.
What the Evening Looks Like
Arrive at our London Bridge cellar room, take your seat, and settle in for a relaxed, social night built around exceptional food and remarkable wine. The format is straightforward:
12 premium South African wines poured across the evening
4 courses of Braai-inspired food from our kitchen
6 winemakers on hand throughout — ask them anything
A genuinely convivial atmosphere, not a stuffy tasting room
The Braai is central to South African culture in a way that goes beyond grilling. It's a tradition of gathering, storytelling, and sharing — exactly the spirit we've built this evening around.
📍 24th June | Vivat Bacchus London Bridge | £89.50
More South African Wine Experiences This Summer
The PIWOSA dinner is the headline act, but it's part of a wider summer of South African food and wine events at Vivat Bacchus. Here's what else is coming up.
Passport to South Africa: The Flavours of Braai
New to South African wine or simply want a more relaxed introduction? Our Passport to South Africa tasting is a 60-minute guided experience designed to bring the Braai tradition to life through food and drink.
What's included
Each ticket covers:
A flight of three South African drinks, poured in small tasters
Two iconic Braai food staples — a Boerewors and Chakalaka Roll and a Chicken Sosatie
A guided tasting led by our wine team
A £20 voucher to use at either of our restaurants or shops afterwards
At just £29.70 per person, it's one of the most accessible ways to explore South African wine in London. Upcoming dates:
15th June — London Bridge
20th July — Farringdon
17th August — London Bridge
Club Carnivore: Red Meat. Red Wine. Magnums Only.
If you know Club Carnivore, you know. If you don't — here are the three rules:
Red meat only
Red wine only
Wine served in magnums or larger
Five courses of exceptional red meat paired with five bold South African red wines, all poured from magnums. It's a considerable amount of food, an even more considerable amount of wine, and consistently one of our best-loved events of the year.
Two new dates have just been added for summer:
3rd July — Farringdon | £115 per person
4th September — London Bridge | £115 per person
Book a Table and Save with Off-Peak Dining
Not ready to commit to an event? Book a table at either our Farringdon restaurant or London Bridge restaurant during off-peak times and enjoy 20–25% off your food bill. It's the perfect way to explore our South African menu — including three new lunch dishes at just £16 each — before committing to a full evening event.
Your Summer of South African Wine Starts Here
South African wine is having a moment in London, and Vivat Bacchus is at the heart of it. Whether you're joining us for the PIWOSA winemaker dinner on 24th June, sampling your first Chenin Blanc at a Passport to South Africa tasting, or sinking your teeth into Club Carnivore, there's a seat at the table for you this summer.
These events sell out quickly. The PIWOSA dinner especially — with just one date and six internationally recognised winemakers in attendance — won't be around for long.
Reserve your place before they're gone.
People Also Ask
What is PIWOSA? PIWOSA stands for Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa. It's a collective of premium, independent wine producers from the Western Cape who work together to represent the diversity and quality of South African fine wine on the international stage.
Where is Vivat Bacchus? Vivat Bacchus has two London locations: Farringdon at 47 Farringdon Street, EC4A 4LL, and London Bridge at 4 Hay's Lane, SE1 2HB.
What is a Braai? A Braai is a South African barbecue tradition that goes far beyond grilling. It's a deeply cultural practice centred on gathering, storytelling, and community — reflected in dishes like Boerewors, Sosaties, and Chakalaka.
How much does the PIWOSA wine dinner cost? Tickets for the PIWOSA winemaker dinner on 24th June at Vivat Bacchus London Bridge are £89.50 per person and include twelve wines across a four-course Braai feast.
Does Vivat Bacchus offer off-peak dining discounts? Yes — book a table at either Vivat Bacchus location during off-peak times through the website and receive 20–25% off your food bill.
