Get going with Gusto

Gusto wines is the brainchild of "partners in crime – or wine" Nicolette de Kock, and university friend PG Slabbert. De Kock is the CEO of the American Express-sponsored organisation Stellenbosch Wine Routes, while Slabbert is the winemaker at Stellenbosch co-op Vlottenburg.

Italian for "taste" Gusto has a special significance for De Kock whose mother is Italian. "To my delight and surprise the word also has a positive meaning in English, with synonyms like pleasure, delight, passion, enjoyment and zest. We just knew we were on the right path," comments De Kock.

First release is a Sauvignon Blanc, a single vineyard wine sourced from Stellenbosch. The wine was made reductively and is lively and fresh. Only 500 cases were made in hired cellar space.

"We had no idea what a big chance we were taking, we just really believed in the product so much. We never even considered where we were going to sell it. We believed anything that was made with so much positive energy would sell itself!" says De Kock.

Gusto retails for R28,50 a bottle and is available at specialist wine shops.