Castel Winery PLC


Phone +251 11 5515196
Phone 2 +251 46 1191616
Fax +251 11 5511711
Sub City Lideta
Business Type Private
LocationAddis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Primary CategoryDirectory
Castel Winery PLC

Group Castel is the 3rd largest wine producer in the world and the 2nd largest beer and soft drinks business in Africa. Castel Winery PLC was established in Ethiopia in 2007 and started producing wine products since 2012.

Product Portfolio

Acacia Dry Red

PRODUCT TYPE

Wine Brand Line: Castel winery - Acacia Dry RedCastel Winery

Wine Type: Dry Red

Vineyard: Ziway, Ethiopia

Grapes: Blended Grapes Imported from Bordeaux and grown in Ziway Vineyard

Vineyard Farming Method: Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture Method

The Acacia, the most enduring tree of the arid regions of Ethiopia is also the most prevalent feature of the flora and fauna of Ziway. It is a symbol of friendship and conviviality throughout the region.

VINIFICATION

Maceration: Cold Skin Maceration

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank with thermo regulated temperature

Ageing: Stainless steel tanks

PACKAGING

Bottle: 75 cl with screw cap

Carton: 6 bottles

TASTING NOTES

Colour and bouquet: A deep ruby red color with warm spicy notes.

Serving suggestion: This dry wine is enjoyable with roast beef or Ethiopian Doro wet, or just by itself.

Serving temperature: Room temperature

 

Acacia Medium Sweet Red

PRODUCT TYPE

Wine Brand Line: Castel winery - Acacia Medium Sweet RedCastel Winery3

Wine Type: Medium Sweet Red

Vineyard: Ziway, Ethiopia

Grapes: Blended Grapes Imported from Bordeaux and grown in Ziway Vineyard

Vineyard Farming Method: Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture Method

The Acacia, the most enduring tree of the arid regions of Ethiopia is also the most prevalent feature of the flora and fauna of Ziway. It is a symbol of friendship and conviviality throughout the region.

VINIFICATION

Maceration: Cold Skin Maceration

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank with thermo regulated temperature

Ageing: Stainless steel tanks

PACKAGING

Bottle: 75 cl with screw cap

Carton: 6 bottles

TASTING NOTES

Color and bouquet: Fruity notes with a touch of sweetness that can be enjoyed any time with any company

Serving suggestion: This wine complements spicy foods nicely.

Serving temperature: Room temperature

 

Acacia Medum Sweet White

PRODUCT TYPE

Wine Brand Line: Castel winery - Acacia Medium Sweet WhiteCastel Winery2

Wine Type: Medium Sweet White

Vineyard: Ziway, Ethiopia

Grapes: Blended Grapes Imported from Bordeaux and grown in Ziway Vineyard

Vineyard Farming Method: Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture Method

The Acacia, the most enduring tree of the arid regions of Ethiopia is also the most prevalent feature of the flora and fauna of Ziway. It is a symbol of friendship and conviviality throughout the region.

VINIFICATION

Maceration: Cold Skin Maceration

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank with thermo regulated temperature

Ageing: Stainless steel tanks

PACKAGING

Bottle: 75 cl with screw cap

Carton: 6 bottles

TASTING NOTES

Color and bouquet: Golden white color wine with aromas of peach and a slight hint of sweetness

Serving suggestion: Ideal for drinking on its own or with desserts, cheese and seafood.

Serving temperature: Chilled to 6 Degrees Celsius

 

Rift Valley Merlot

PRODUCT TYPE

Wine Brand Line: Castel winery - Rift Valley MerlotCastel Winery7

Wine Type: Merlot

Vineyard: Ziway, Ethiopia

Grapes: Merlot variety grapes imported from Bordeaux and grown in Ziway

Vineyard Farming Method: Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture Method

The rift Valley wines are the fruits of a vineyard in the midst of the rift valley volcanoes, which is also home to the picturesque Lake Ziway. The unique character and exceptional test of the wines are a testament to the terroir.

VINIFICATION

Maceration: Cold Skin Maceration

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank with thermo regulated temperature

Ageing: Stainless steel tanks

Color: Red

PACKAGING

Bottle: 75 cL Vintage with screw cap

Carton: 6 bottles

TESTING NOTES

Color and bouquet: Deep red color with intense aromas of fruits and spices.

Serving suggestion: Serve with red meat, dishes with rich Sauces or fine cheese.

Serving temperature: Room temperature

 

Rift Valley Syrah

PRODUCT TYPE

Wine Brand Line: Castel winery - Rift Valley SyrahCastel Winery6

Vineyard: Ziway, Ethiopia

Grapes: Syrah variety grapes imported from Bordeaux and grown in Ziway

Vineyard Farming Method: Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture Method

The rift Valley wines are the fruits of a vineyard in the midst of the rift valley volcanoes, which is also home to the picturesque Lake Ziway. The unique character and exceptional test of the wines are a testament to the terroir.

VINIFICATION

Harvest: Picking and sorting manually

Maceration: Cold Skin Maceration

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank with thermo regulated temperature

Ageing: Stainless steel tanks

Color: Red

PACKAGING

Bottle: 75 cl Vintage with screw cap

Carton: 6 bottles

TASTING NOTES

Color and bouquet: Full bodied ruby red wine with a rounded palate and with slight notes of dark roasted Coffee.

Serving suggestion: Serve with roasted chicken, vegetable dishes, spicy Ethiopian door wot, and shiro.

Serving temperature: Room temperature

 

Rift Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

PRODUCT TYPE

Wine Brand Line: Castel winery - Rift Valley Cabernet SauvignonCastel Winery5

Vineyard: Ziway, Ethiopia

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon variety grapes imported from Bordeaux and grown in Ziway

Vineyard Farming Method: Organic Farming and sustainable Agriculture Method

The rift Valley wines are the fruits of a vineyard in the midst of the rift valley volcanoes, which is also home to the picturesque Lake Ziway. The unique character and exceptional taste of the wines are a testament to the terroir.

VINIFICATION

Maceration: Cold Skin Maceration

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank with thermo regulated temperature

Ageing: Stainless steel tanks

Color: Red

PACKAGING

Bottle: 75 cl Vintage with screw cap

Carton: 6 bottles

TASTING NOTES

Color and bouquet: Brilliant deep red color, intense aromas of green pepper and mixed spies with a supple and well-rounded body.

Serving suggestion: Aged cheese, Ethiopian tartare Kitfo, raw meat, and lamb tibs.

Serving temperature: Room temperature

 

Rift Valley Chardonnay

PRODUCT TYPE

Wine Brand Line: Castel winery - Rift Valley ChardonnayCastel Winery4

Vineyard: Ziway, Ethiopia

Grapes: Chardonnay variety grapes imported from Bordeaux and grown in Ziway

Vineyard Farming Method: Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture Method

The rift Valley wines are the fruits of a vineyard in the midst of the rift valley volcanoes, which is also home to the picturesque Lake Ziway. The unique character and exceptional test of the wines are a testament to the terroir.

VINIFICATION

Harvest: Picking and sorting manually

Maceration: Cold Skin Maceration

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank with thermo regulated temperature

Ageing: Stainless steel tanks

Color: White

PACKAGING

Bottle: 75 cl Vintage with screw cap

Carton: 6 bottle

TASTING NOTES

Color and bouquet: White wine with a touch of golden color. Flavors of peach and apricot. Crisp and refreshing with dominant aromas of honey.

Serving suggestion: As an aperitif with seafood, cheese and Ethiopian Assa tibs and local fish dishes.

Serving temperature: Chilled to 10 Degrees of Celsius

 

Putting Ethiopia on the wine map       

Castel Winery in Numbers (2014)

Vine Yard size (panted)

162 Hectare

Investment

520 Million Birr

Employees Number

256 Permanent, 588 Casual

Winery Production

1.1 Million Bottles

Export Volume

Targeted 50% of total production

 

Conception

On a sunny Monday afternoon in 2007, the late Prime Minister of Ethiopia, his Excellency Meles Zenawi and Mr, Pierre Castel, founder and President of the Castel Group and BGI International were having discussion on further investments in Ethiopia, The solemn discussion took a turn for a friendly chat and banter about Castel family’s numerous exploits in the wine making business and the Prime Minister's fondness for a single glass of red wine once a week.

That afternoon, the idea for establishing Castel winery in Ethiopia is conceived and born in the Prime Minister's office.

Castel group was established in Bordeaux, France in 1949 by founder Pierre Castel and his 8 brothers and sisters. Growing up in the vineyards of Bordeaux, wine was already an integral part of their daily lives.

Theirs truly is a family affair. Their driving principle was to share their love of wine and other high-quality products in a way, which fulfills every customer's expectations. With this ethos firmly in mind, not even rapid expansions have been able to undermine the core values, which shape Castle's businesses spirit and identity.

In the 50's and the 60's, the Group embarked upon an internal expansion by setting up bottling plants. Keeping intact their special attachment to the internationally acclaimed wine making region of Bordeaux, the Group expanded to other known wine making regions of France like the Loire, the Rhone, Burgundy, Provence, the Languedoc and the South West.

Later in late 60's and 70's, growth continued with a succession of acquisitions, first of regional, then national and finally international companies trading in wine.

In the late 80's, when Castel Group acquired Nicolas, it became the owner of largest chain of specialist wine stores all over Europe.

The 90's and the 00' also saw much growth and acquisitions. Such examples are the acquisition of the Societe des Vins de France in 1992 (which was Castel Group's main rival in the wine sector and the

second largest wine trader in France), Domaines Virginie in 1999 (exporters of top of the range wines from Languedoc Roussillon), Sautejeau-Bauquin (number 1 in Muscadet) and Friedrich (number] in Bag in Box) in 2007 and Oeno Alliance in Bordeaux which is among the top 10 leaders in the industry in 2008.

Meanwhile, Castel Group was also busy establishing a reputation in the beer and soft drinks sector in many parts of Africa. The Group becomes one of the key players in the continent when they acquired BGI (Brasseries et Glacieres Internationales) in 1990.

Through hard work, resilience and innovation, and under the guiding hand of founding President Pierre Castel, today the Group has become the largest wine producer in France and Europe and the third largest wine producer worldwide, and became the owner of the second largest beer and soft drinks business in Africa.

 

Birth of Winery

After a deal was struck to establish Castel Winery in Ethiopia that faithful Monday afternoon in 2007, Castel Group wasted no time in sending the best experts and consultants in the business from France to select the most suitable are for a vineyard which can meet Castel Family's strict three generation old quality wine making standards and criteria.

After a thorough investigation by the panel of experts, the town of Ziway, in the Oromia Regional State (located 163 kilometers from the capital Addis Ababa) was selected.

Ziway, situated around 1600 above sea level, with sub-humid to sub- arid climate, Sandy Loam type of soil variety, mean annual precipitation of 650 to 700 mm and its all year average temperature of 25 degree centigrade is deemed suitable for the grape varieties imported directly from Bordeux.

On May 12, 2007 with the presence of the State Minister of Industry His Excellency Ato Tadesse Hile and other guests and dignitaries, the first vine was planted, heralding the birth of Castel Winery in Ethiopia.

Plantation of all the grape varieties lasted until the beginning of 2009. At the start of 2011, while the grapes are maturing in the vineyard, construction of the state of the art winery went underway and completed in less than a year.

 

A Responsible Player

As the 3rd largest wine producer in the world and the 2nd largest beer and soft drinks business in Africa, it is only natural that Castel Group is committed to their corporate responsibilities, be their social, economic or environmental.

For the Castel Group, sustainable development is as much an urgent economic necessity as an essential part of social cohesion. The Group’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and protection, social development in Ziway and in Ethiopia as a whole, is derived from their traditional core value of accepting responsibilities both for the locales they operate in and their inhabitants, as well as future generations.

The organic farming method introduced and employed in the development of Zeway Vineyard is conducted within the boundaries of the new Environmental Management System (EMS), through other internationally recognized accreditations such as Terra Vitis and local standards and laws.

Apart from the obvious results of its massive investment in the region (employment, skill and knowledge transfer, income through taxation etc.), Castel Winery has been participating in the area's socio- economic development through its carefully planned Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

Some of Castel Winery's projects under the auspices of its CSR program are results of huge investments. To name a few notable examples; its support for the ongoing afforestation programs in the region, water well drilling and development for provision of clean water, financial support of development of necessary infrastructures, provision of modern housing for more than 11 households etc.