CAPE TOWN – A special collection of wines honouring legendary South African entertainer David Kramer was launched at The Baxter Theatre in Cape Town on Monday 8 December, with proceeds benefiting the Theatre Benevolent Fund.
Fortes Family Wines unveiled the David Kramer Legacy Edition, featuring a Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, both crafted at their boutique vineyard in Napier. The wines celebrate Kramer’s five-decade contribution to South African music and theatre while supporting struggling theatre practitioners.
The launch marks a unique collaboration between the renowned artist and Neil Fortes, founder of Fortes Family Wines, whose friendship spans 50 years since their university days at Leeds. Both wines bear distinctive labels featuring Kramer’s iconic red veldskoene, adding a personal touch that reflects his authentic South African roots.
“I am thrilled to launch the David Kramer Dry White and Dry Red wines, in partnership with Fortes Family Wines,” said Kramer at the launch event. “My hope is that these wines will benefit the Theatre Benevolent Fund, which provides help to theatre practitioners in financial distress.”
The initiative comes at a crucial time for South Africa’s theatre community, with many artists facing financial hardship. The Theatre Benevolent Fund provides essential support to performers, directors, and other theatre professionals experiencing economic difficulties.
David Kramer dry white Sauvignon Blanc and dry red Shiraz. PHOTO: Fahiem Stellenboom
Supporting the arts through wine
Neil Fortes explained the motivation behind the partnership, emphasising the importance of creating lasting legacies. “To have a legacy, you need a product, something that carries the story forward. Using David’s name in this way allows people to celebrate him while helping us give back,” he said. “Wine is a wonderful vehicle for that.”
The collaboration represents more than just a business venture; it’s a testament to the enduring friendship between Kramer and Fortes, who met as young men at university and bonded over their shared love of music and common values.
Fortes Family Wines, known for producing exceptional quality wines in small quantities, selected their cool-climate Napier estate to craft these special editions. Both the Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz showcase the vineyard’s commitment to excellence, featuring exceptional extract and character that wine enthusiasts have come to expect from the boutique producer.
Gillian Lindner from the Theatre Benevolent Fund expressed gratitude for the partnership and its potential impact. “We are excited about this partnership and deeply grateful about the possibility of a new revenue stream,” she said. “This wonderful gesture will go a long way to help support the beneficiaries.”
The fund provides crucial assistance to theatre practitioners who find themselves in financial distress, offering a safety net for those who have dedicated their lives to entertaining South African audiences.
Both wines are now available for purchase at The Baxter bar, arriving just in time for the festive season. The timing couldn’t be better, as theatre-goers can enjoy these specially crafted wines while attending performances at one of Cape Town’s premier cultural venues.
The David Kramer Legacy Edition wines represent a meaningful intersection of South African wine excellence and artistic heritage, ensuring that Kramer’s contributions to the nation’s cultural landscape continue to make a positive impact long into the future.
Dining and Cooking