SANI WINES

SANI WINES | A Taste of Lesotho’s Mountain Kingdom
Some wines introduce you to a vineyard. Sani Wines introduces you to a remarkable story of family, determination and discovery.
In Ha Ntsi, near Nazareth, southeast of Maseru, this pioneering wine producer is helping to tell a different story about Lesotho—one rooted in its soil, nurtured by local hands and shared through wines with a distinctive sense of place. Recognised as Lesotho’s first commercial winery, Sani Wines brings an unexpected destination to the Southern African wine map.
High Altitude. Deep Roots.
Growing at approximately 1,800 metres above sea level, the vineyards began in 2008 when the Thamae family joined forces with wine enthusiasts Eric Verhaak and Mariëtte Ras. What started as an ambitious experiment developed into a family venture shaped by patience, practical learning and a belief in what this land could produce.
Today, Sani’s range centres on Chenin Blanc and Pinotage—a white and a red that invite wine lovers to explore Lesotho through the glass. Each bottle offers a connection to a small but determined winemaking community expanding the possibilities of wine production in the Mountain Kingdom.
A Rondavel Cellar with a Story to Tell
One of Sani Wines’ most memorable features is its distinctive rondavel-shaped wine cellar. Built by the family with support from wine enthusiasts in the Netherlands, it gives this pioneering venture a character all its own—a striking meeting of local architectural identity and winemaking ambition.
Behind the charm lies extraordinary perseverance. Hailstorms have damaged harvests, while shallow soils and sandstone have made establishing the vineyards demanding work. The family’s response has been to keep learning, adapting and planting—building their future vine by vine.
Discover Something Beyond the Familiar
For curious wine lovers and travellers drawn to places with a compelling human story, Sani Wines offers an invitation to look beyond established wine routes. Here is a producer whose appeal reaches beyond the bottle: a family enterprise, an unusual setting and a proud contribution to Lesotho’s emerging wine identity.
Restaurants SA AND BEYOND is delighted to showcase Sani Wines—a memorable discovery for those who believe that exploring a destination should include tasting its story.
Sani Wines — rooted in Lesotho, raised in the Mountain Kingdom.
📍 Ha Ntsi, near Nazareth, southeast of Maseru, Lesotho
🍷 Chenin Blanc & Pinotage
📩 Enquire directly about wine purchases, visits and tasting arrangements.