New appointment

■ Benguela Cove has appointed Somerset West resident Samarie Smith as brand business manager. A wine journalist of many years standing, Ms Smith is active on various wine-tasting panels and represented South Africa in the World Blind Tasting Championships. “Samarie will bring her wine knowledge, creativity and drive to build on what we have created. She will focus on promoting Benguela Cove and South Africa as a premium wine destination,”  says Penny Streeter, OBE, owner and CEO of  Benguela Cove. “She will head up new initiatives and strategies, as well as strengthen partnerships to build our wine brand locally and abroad.”