Me and my experience

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, I grew up with no wine culture around me. Wine was simply not a part of my life. 

As a young man, I relocated to South Africa after earning degrees in economics and sports psychology, and took on a role in hospitality. It was while working in a restaurant that I was first introduced to wine, which became the catalyst for my wine journey and ultimately becoming a certified sommelier. 

I was fascinated by how waiters explained wine and its flavours, and when I tried my first glass of wine, a chenin blanc from Babylon’s Peak, there was no stopping the wine bug! 

I immersed myself in the South African wine industry, where people of colour were not proportionally represented. As I rose through the ranks, I was named Moët & Chandon Best Young Sommelier for South Africa and ranked the third best blind wine taster in South Africa.

While in South Africa, I met three other Zimbabwean sommeliers. Together we decided to represent our country and formed the first Zimbabwean team ever to enter the World Blind Tasting Championships, where we were proud to place ahead of countries with far more experience and wine history. Our journey is documented in the documentary Blind Ambition (watch it on Amazon Prime here). 

Today, I live in the Netherlands and work as a consultant for Michelin Star restaurants. With all my experience, I hope to one day open a restaurant in my home country and earn the Michelin Star recognition for myself.

I also have my own wine label: Dzimbahwe Wines. My wines are made from Austrian grapes. I am excited to be able to offer a selection of my wines on Raravina. You can learn more about Dzimbahwe here.

My restaurant work

As a sommelier and wine consultant, I've had the pleasure of collaborating with a wide range of partners across the restaurant industry. Below are some of the wonderful Netherlands restaurants I'm proud to have advised and worked with:

Restaurant Daalder (1 Star)

François Geurds Group (1 and 2 Stars)