Background
Home of the Wade Bales Wine Society. Constantia, Cape Town.
1992
Wade Bales establishes a wine export company based in Cape Town, South Africa.
1993
The wine export company is taken over by SA’s biggest mail order company.
1994 -1997
Wade Bales joins Wine-of-the-Month Club as Managing Director.
1997
The Wine Society is founded in partnership with Diners Club International and builds up a membership base of over 10 000 private clients between 1997 and 2006.
1999
Launches first own label range consisting of
- - Bales’ Choice
- - Bales’ Private Vintners
- - Bales’ Flagship
2005
Publishes first Top Billing Food and Restaurant Guide.
2006
The Wine Society’s name changes and is relaunched as The Wade Bales Wine Society, South Africa’s premier and most exclusive direct marketer of wine.
2006
Wade Bales accepted into the Brotherhood of St Vincent, an annual award bestowed by Villiera in recognition of outstanding contributions to the wine industry.
Our Services and Products
The Wade Bales Wine Society
The Wade Bales Wine Society invites wine lovers to take a journey of discovery through the Cape Winelands, savouring undiscovered gems sourced from the east coast near George through the remote vineyards of the Cedarberg to the furthest vineyards up the West Coast bordering the Namibian border.
Gain insights into our leading winemakers and benefit from the relationships that Wade Bales has built up over 15 years in the industry. Share in his passion for wine, and learn about the people involved and the places where wine is made in South Africa. As a result of his travels and tastings you get to enjoy some of the most interesting and rare wines available in this country.
Because all the wines available through the Wade Bales Wine Society are sourced directly from the wine makers you have access to many of these original, limited release and often exclusive wines at prices which offer exceptional value for money and delivered to you in a convenient way.
As a winelover you have the following options:
• Annuity membership
Join the Wade Bales Wine Society as an annuity member and enjoy the pleasure and convenience of having an exclusive selection of 12 premier wines delivered to your door every two months. It is a guaranteed way of broadening your knowledge of the best wines available, while building up a rare and desirable private collection.
• Private client
As a private client, you order the wines you want from one of our expert wine consultants. As a regular client you will also be contacted with exclusive offers of limited release wines. Our wine consultants are also available to advise and guide you in making your selection.
Diners Club Wine Society
The Diners Club Wine Society is an exclusive wine club, managed by Wade Bales and offering its members the pleasure and convenience of receiving South Africa’s rarest, most sought after wines delivered to their door on a regular basis. Only Diners Club International cardholders are eligible for Membership.
Bales brand
These “own label” wines are a result of the close working relationships that Wade Bales has established for over a decade with many of the Cape’s finest winemakers. He has scoured their vineyards and cellars, leaving no stone unturned in his search for the excellent wines.
These are featured under his own labels:
Bales’ Choice offers you unpretentious, easy-drinking wines that reflect a typically South African lifestyle.
Bales’ Private Vintners are the result of collaborations between Wade Bales and our leading winemakers. He has teamed up with Mike Dobrovic of Mulderbosch, Miles Mossop of Tokara, Jeff Grier of Villiera and Gyles Webb of Thelema, amongst others, to bring you limited release wines exclusively available from the Wade Bales Wine Society.
Bales’ Flagship - every now and then, Wade Bales comes across some previously undiscovered treasures from the leading wine producers. These rare gems are produced under the Flagstaff label and in most instances fewers than 100 cases of wine are ever produced, making each case a true collector’s item.
Warehouse sales
Seasonally the Wade Bales Wine Society hosts warehouse clearance sales at its head office in the Constantia Valley. These events are always popular and the specials of the day, which are available on a first come first serve basis, represent tremendous value.
Regular customers of the Wine Society can be notified in advance by providing their contact details to 021 794 2151.
Our Partners
The Wade Bales Wine Society is committed to working in partnership with leading corporate organizations to offer unique and customized wine services to their clients.
Diners Club International
Wade Bales is responsible for managing the Diners Club Wine Society on behalf of Diners Club International.
Standard Private Bank
We are proud to be involved in providing a private wine service to Standard Bank Private Banking clients.
FNB Ebucks Programme
A partnership programme is run in conjunction with the Ebucks loyalty programme.