Wine & Vines - A world staple that keeps expanding

By Jono • June 5, 2008

I read with interest this morning that the large French wine company Castel is establishing a substantial vineyard and winery in Ethiopia. The country actually has a relatively interesting wine history and many areas are able to produce twoÂ crops per year.

The most well known and widely consumed wine is Tej (ehtiopian honey wine), made from fermented honey and hops called gesho.Â It is widely believed by ethiopians that Tej was theÂ wine used for a toast between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon.

Castel obviously believes there is potential to produce good quality, or at least distinctively different styles and has negotiated with the Ethiopian government to acquire land, begin planting vines and construction of a winery. It is reported they are spending upwards of $10 million USD.

Lets hope their intentions are noble and the project is a win / win for all involved, not least the locals who presumably will have plenty of new jobs to fill.

Ehtiopian Wine Production

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About the Author

Jono

Jono has been involved in the wine industry since he was quite young. His parents had a small vineyard and winery in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, and spent plenty of school holidays working in the vineyard and winery. He completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) from the University of Adelaide (formely the Roseworthy Agricultural College). He also holds a Post Graduate Degree in Business Management from Monash University. His wine industry experience include working as a winemaker for Petaluma in the Adelaide Hills under the legendary Brian Croser. He was then sent to Smithbrook in the Pemberton region of Western Australia, then owned by Petaluma. He spent 6 years at Smithbrook managing the vineyard and winery, and during that time also completed a vintage at Chateau Carsin in Bordeaux. The two years leading into 2008, he traveled the world with his partner sampling the worlds best wines, and also fulfilling his other passion of equestrian competition.