Xolani Mancotywa, founder and creative director of Chenin Noir, knows his way around food and wine. Over his nearly twenty-year career in hospitality, Xolani has worked both as a chef and a sommelier, earning the lauded Certified Sommelier qualification with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Now, having become South Africa’s first Certified Sake Sommelier his eyes are set on a new challenge: bringing sake education to South Africa!

Chenin Noir is a hospitality consulting company that provides its clients with curated experiences and holistic hospitality solutions across four departments: food, beverage, education and hospitality. With a focus on education and consumer experience, Chenin Noir strives to showcase Africa’s exceptional hospitality capabilities.