06/27/2025
Celebrate Culture Through the Glass – Wine Tasting This Saturday at Chat’s!
(Tonight, Friday Spirits Tasting 5-8pm Mezcal & Tequila. See previous email.)
🗓️ Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 3–6PM
📍 Chat’s Liquors | Capitol Hill
Join us this Saturday for a special Afternoon Wine Tasting that honors innovation, excellence, and heritage in wine, featuring the work of two trailblazing Black winemakers:
🌍 Tinashe Nyamudoka, founder of Kumusha Wines, is a Zimbabwean sommelier turned winemaker who crafts soulful, terroir-driven wines from South Africa’s premier vineyards.
🇺🇸 Donae Burston, founder of La Fête Wines, is a former LVMH exec bringing fresh energy and inclusive elegance to the South of France with natural, organic wines that celebrate joy, connection, and culture.
Tasting Conduced by: Mitzi Taylor of Siema Wines
✨ Featured Wines ✨
Whites:
🍃 Kumusha "Sondagskloof" Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – Crisp, herbaceous, and mineral-driven from the cool coastal hills of South Africa.
🍋 La Fête du Blanc 2022 – A vibrant, natural white from Provence with floral notes, citrus, and organic finesse.
Rosés:
🌸 Kumusha Cinsault Rosé 2024 – Light and aromatic with wild strawberry and white peach. Bright, juicy, and super chillable.
🌞 La Fête du Rosé 2022 – Dry, elegant, and full of Côtes de Provence charm. A rosé made for sun-soaked afternoons.
Reds:
🍇 Kumusha Pinotage 2023 – Deep, earthy, and bold with plum, spice, and smoky undertones. A South African classic, reimagined.
🍷 La Fête du Rouge 2021 – A smooth, organically grown red with juicy red berries and Provencal herbs. Effortlessly drinkable.
This tasting is more than just a sip—it’s a celebration of global Black excellence in the wine world. Come raise a glass with us. 🍾
FREE TASTING | NO RSVP REQUIRED
Let’s toast to good wine and even better company. See you there!
—Team Chat’s
If you enjoyed the experience and would like to show your appreciation, tips are always welcome. Your generosity helps us continue offering unique events like this in the future. Thank you for your support!
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Kumusha Wines is the brainchild of Tinashe Nyamudoka, a celebrated Zimbabwean sommelier turned winemaker who is reshaping the narrative of African wine. After gaining acclaim in South Africa’s fine dining scene, Tinashe launched Kumusha—meaning “your home,” “your roots,” or “your origin” in Shona—with the goal of crafting wines that reflect both his heritage and the unique terroir of South Africa. Through collaborations with winemaker Attie Louw of Opstal Estate, Kumusha wines blend authenticity, minimal intervention, and expressive regional character.
Vineyard Notes
The Sauvignon Blanc grapes for the 2023 vintage are sourced from a sustainably farmed vineyard in the cool-climate region of Sondagskloof, tucked within the Walker Bay district of the Western Cape. This maritime-influenced subregion benefits from strong coastal breezes, foggy mornings, and decomposed shale soils that help retain acidity and develop complexity in the grapes. The vines are carefully tended to produce low yields with intense aromatics and vibrant freshness, reflecting the character of this emerging high-quality terroir.
Production Notes
Harvested in the early morning to preserve aromatic intensity, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed gently before undergoing spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts. The wine was fermented and matured in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral oak barrels, allowing for texture development without overt oak influence. Minimal intervention was practiced throughout, with no fining and only light filtration before bottling. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that is expressive, layered, and elegant, with a natural purity and precision.
Tasting Notes
Intense aromas of lime zest, elderflower, and gooseberry
Subtle hints of green bell pepper and crushed herbs
Bright minerality with a flinty, saline edge
Crisp acidity balanced by a slightly rounded mid-palate
Clean, lingering finish with citrus pith and wet stone tones
Serving Suggestions
Kumusha’s "Sondagskloof" Sauvignon Blanc 2023 is best served chilled at around 45–50°F (7–10°C). It makes a vibrant aperitif but also pairs beautifully with fresh oysters, goat cheese, ceviche, or lightly grilled vegetables. The wine's saline minerality and racy acidity complement seafood dishes and herbal sauces especially well, while its layered texture and complexity make it suitable for sipping on its own or with Mediterranean-inspired fare.
La Fête du Blanc is the white wine counterpart to the celebrated La Fête du Rosé, founded by Donae Burston with a mission to diversify the wine industry and craft premium wines that celebrate community, culture, and joy. Produced in collaboration with respected growers and winemakers in France, La Fête wines are made with sustainability, inclusivity, and a sense of celebration at their core. With roots in Saint-Tropez and a global vision, La Fête du Blanc continues this ethos, offering a sophisticated yet approachable white wine for vibrant gatherings and thoughtful sipping.
Vineyard Notes
La Fête du Blanc 2022 is sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards in the heart of France’s Mediterranean coast, notably in the Var region of Provence. This area benefits from abundant sunshine, cooling sea breezes, and well-drained limestone soils that promote slow, even ripening of the grapes. The vineyard practices emphasize minimal intervention, hand harvesting, and biodiversity to preserve the natural integrity and terroir-driven character of the wine.
Production Notes
The 2022 vintage is a carefully balanced blend of Vermentino (also known as Rolle) and other regional white varietals, vinified with precision to retain freshness, aromatics, and texture. After gentle pressing, fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve purity and fruit expression. Aging on fine lees adds depth and a soft roundness to the wine while maintaining its crisp, vibrant profile. No oak is used, allowing the varietal expression and terroir to shine through.
Tasting Notes
Bright straw-yellow in color with silvery highlights
Aromas of white peach, lemon zest, and honeysuckle
Notes of green apple, pear, and tropical fruit on the palate
Hints of saline minerality and crushed stone
Crisp acidity with a smooth, refreshing finish
Serving Suggestions
La Fête du Blanc 2022 is best enjoyed chilled, around 45–50°F (7–10°C), and pairs beautifully with a variety of light dishes. It’s an excellent match for fresh seafood, grilled vegetables, goat cheese, and Mediterranean fare like niçoise salad or shrimp ceviche. Its crispness also makes it an ideal aperitif for brunches, picnics, and summer soirées. For a refined presentation, serve in a white wine glass to enhance its aromatic expression and mouthfeel.
Tre Kumusha is the brainchild of Tinashe Nyamudoka, a Zimbabwean-born sommelier whose name has become synonymous with the new wave of African winemakers redefining South Africa’s wine narrative. “Kumusha” is a Shona word meaning “your home” or “your roots,” and the wines reflect that philosophy—authentic, unpretentious, and deeply tied to a sense of place. With a background in fine dining and a passion for accessible, terroir-driven wines, Tinashe partners with respected growers across the Western Cape to create wines that are both soulful and expressive. Tre Kumusha Cinsault Rosé 2024 is a vibrant testament to his commitment to purity, transparency, and heritage in every bottle.
Vineyard Notes:
The fruit for the 2024 Cinsault Rosé comes from old, dry-farmed bush vines planted in the Swartland, a region famed for its Mediterranean climate and decomposed granite soils. These low-yielding vineyards sit on exposed slopes where cooling breezes from the Atlantic help maintain freshness and balance. Sustainable farming practices ensure minimal intervention in the vineyard, allowing the natural character of the site to shine through. The Cinsault grapes are picked early in the season to preserve acidity and aromatic delicacy, capturing the essence of the Swartland’s rugged beauty.
Production Notes:
After a gentle pressing of whole bunches, the juice is allowed to settle before being racked off its lees. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to retain the vibrant fruit profile and natural acidity. No malolactic fermentation is encouraged, preserving the wine’s zesty character. Minimal sulfur is added, and the wine is bottled unfiltered to reflect the raw, expressive style that defines the Tre Kumusha approach. The result is a rosé that’s crisp, precise, and unmistakably tied to its origins.
Tasting Notes:
Pale salmon pink in the glass
Aromas of wild strawberries, watermelon rind, and fresh rose petals
Hints of white peach and citrus zest on the nose
Light-bodied and refreshingly dry
Bright acidity frames flavors of pink grapefruit and crushed red berries
Clean, mineral-driven finish with a subtle herbal lift
Serving Suggestions:
Tre Kumusha Cinsault Rosé 2024 is best served chilled and thrives in casual, convivial settings. It’s an ideal apéritif and pairs effortlessly with light fare—think summer salads, ceviche, grilled vegetables, or fresh goat cheese. Its vibrant acidity and delicate fruit also make it a perfect companion to spiced seafood dishes or peri-peri chicken. Whether enjoyed at a beachside picnic or over a leisurely brunch, this rosé offers a refreshing taste of the South African sun in every glass.
La Fête du Rosé is the flagship release from La Fête Wine Company, founded by Donae Burston, one of the few Black entrepreneurs in the French wine industry. The brand is a celebration of community, diversity, and the joy of shared experiences. Produced in partnership with respected winemakers in the heart of Provence, La Fête du Rosé blends French winemaking tradition with a modern, inclusive spirit. The wine reflects Burston’s mission to make premium rosé accessible while supporting social causes and minority-led organizations through a portion of proceeds.
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for La Fête du Rosé 2022 are sourced from sustainable vineyards located in the Côtes de Provence AOC, nestled near the Mediterranean coast. This region benefits from a temperate maritime climate, with abundant sunshine, gentle mistral winds, and limestone-rich soils that provide excellent drainage and minerality. The vineyards sit at varied elevations, allowing for complexity and freshness in the fruit, which is essential for producing high-quality, expressive rosé.
Production Notes
La Fête du Rosé 2022 is crafted using traditional direct press vinification, a hallmark method in Provence. Grapes—primarily Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah—are gently pressed soon after harvest to extract delicate color and aromatics without harsh phenolics. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures, preserving freshness and purity. The wine undergoes a short aging period on fine lees to enhance texture and complexity before bottling. The process is intentionally low-intervention to allow the natural expression of terroir and grape character.
Tasting Notes
Pale salmon-pink hue with crystalline clarity
Aromas of wild strawberry, white peach, and rose petals
Bright citrus notes, especially pink grapefruit and lemon zest
Subtle herbal undertones of thyme and lavender
Dry, crisp palate with lively acidity and a smooth, refreshing finish
Elegant minerality and a touch of saline on the back end
Serving Suggestions
La Fête du Rosé 2022 is best served chilled, around 45–50°F (7–10°C), in a white wine glass to enhance its aromatic profile. It’s an ideal pairing for a wide array of dishes—from fresh seafood and grilled shrimp to Mediterranean salads, goat cheese, and charcuterie boards. It also shines as a standalone aperitif for warm-weather gatherings, rooftop celebrations, or beachside picnics. For a festive twist, serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water and a citrus peel as a light rosé spritz.
Tinashe Nyamudoka, a Zimbabwean-born sommelier turned winemaker, is the visionary behind Kumusha Wines. Drawing from his roots and extensive experience in South Africa’s fine dining and wine world, Tinashe created Kumusha to express authenticity, heritage, and African terroir through the lens of premium winemaking. “Kumusha,” meaning “your home” or “your origin” in Shona, reflects his mission to tell stories of place and identity through wine. With a deep respect for minimal intervention and transparency in winemaking, Tinashe partners with top growers and winemakers in South Africa’s renowned regions—especially the Swartland—to craft wines that are honest, soulful, and accessible.
Vineyard Notes
The Pinotage grapes for the 2023 vintage were sourced from sustainably farmed bush vines grown in the dry, sun-drenched Swartland region of the Western Cape. This rugged terrain, with its granite and shale soils, low rainfall, and warm days tempered by cool ocean breezes, provides an ideal environment for the expressive, structured, and ripe style of Pinotage that Kumusha seeks to deliver. The bush vines, many of them older plantings, yield smaller berries with concentrated flavors and balanced natural acidity, reflecting the Swartland's untamed character and diversity.
Production Notes
The 2023 Kumusha Pinotage is made with a light touch in the cellar to preserve purity and varietal integrity. Grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented using wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks. A portion of the wine underwent semi-carbonic maceration to highlight bright fruit and lift. Gentle pump-overs were used to extract flavor without overwhelming tannin. The wine was aged briefly in neutral oak barrels and concrete vessels for added texture and subtle complexity, without masking the vibrant fruit. It was bottled unfiltered and with minimal sulfur to preserve freshness and energy.
Tasting Notes
Juicy black cherry and ripe plum on the nose
Subtle notes of smoked herbs and rooibos tea
Hints of cocoa and wild earth
Supple tannins and medium body
Fresh acidity balancing a fruit-forward palate
A clean, mineral-driven finish with a whisper of spice
Serving Suggestions
Kumusha Pinotage 2023 is a versatile and food-friendly red that shines slightly chilled or at cellar temperature. It pairs beautifully with flame-grilled meats, peri-peri chicken, pulled pork, or mushroom-based dishes. Its gentle structure and vibrant fruit also complement traditional South African fare like bobotie or braai. For a lighter take, serve with roasted vegetables or a lentil stew. This is a wine for both casual sipping and serious conversation—perfect for sharing at communal tables with hearty laughter and soulful meals.
La Fête du Rouge is part of the La Fête Wine Company portfolio, a Black-owned, luxury lifestyle wine brand founded by Donae Burston. Rooted in a mission to broaden the wine world’s representation and invite a more diverse audience into the enjoyment of fine wine, La Fête wines are made in collaboration with respected estates in Provence, France. Crafted with a contemporary edge and a deep respect for tradition, La Fête du Rouge offers a balanced, fruit-forward expression of southern French red wine that captures the elegance and sun-soaked vitality of the region.
Vineyard Notes:
The grapes for La Fête du Rouge are sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards in the heart of the Côtes de Provence appellation. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the foothills of the Alps, the terroir benefits from an exceptional climate—warm, sunny days moderated by cool maritime breezes. The rocky, well-drained soils of clay-limestone and schist help concentrate the fruit flavors while maintaining freshness and finesse. The vines, many of which are decades old, are carefully tended to yield fruit with natural balance and expression.
Production Notes:
La Fête du Rouge 2021 is a blend of classic Provençal red varieties—primarily Grenache and Syrah—with possible additions of Mourvèdre or Carignan, crafted in a modern, approachable style. Hand-harvested and vinified in stainless steel tanks, the wine undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation to preserve bright fruit character and aromatic purity. Minimal oak influence allows the varietal expression and regional terroir to shine, delivering a wine that is juicy yet structured, vibrant yet smooth.
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of wild raspberry, black cherry, and red currant
Subtle herbal notes of thyme and garrigue
Hints of white pepper and violet
Medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins
Fresh acidity supporting a smooth, fruit-driven palate
Clean, mineral-tinged finish with lingering red fruit tones
Serving Suggestions:
La Fête du Rouge is versatile and food-friendly, making it an excellent companion for a wide range of cuisines. Serve slightly chilled (around 55–60°F) to highlight its freshness and silky texture. It pairs beautifully with Provençal dishes like ratatouille, grilled lamb, or rosemary chicken, and is equally at home alongside barbecue fare, charcuterie boards, or even hearty vegetarian fare. This wine also shines as a sipper for casual gatherings, beach picnics, or rooftop evenings under the stars.
