The Color of Wine Presents: Tinashe Nyamudoka of Kumusha Wines

In this episode we had the pleasure of speaking with Tinashe Nyamudoka of Kumusha Wines and The Test Kitchen.  In this episode we speak to Tinashe about:  Chenin Blanc Being in the right place at the right time Starting at the bottom How wine can change your life Tinashe's Bio:  I have gained my extensive wine knowledge and experience in a span of 10 years. Starting all the way from the bottom as a wine waiter, working at the Roundhouse Restaurant in 2008. I rose from wine butler, assistant sommelier to sommelier during my five-year tenure (2009-2014) at the One and Only Hotel Cape Town. During this period, I worked in world-class restaurants (Maze by Gordon Ramsey, Reuben's and NOBU) and had the opportunity to work alongside these talented chefs). I assumed position as Head Sommelier of The Oyster Box Hotel in 2014 where I was responsible for the hotel's wine program. Under my watch the hotel's wine list won the 2014 Dinners Club Wine List of the year. Currently I am managing the wine and beverage program at The Test Kitchen, number one restaurant in South Africa and Africa and recently named 50th on the Pellegrino 50 Worlds Best Restaurants 2018. I am a regular wine judge on various local wine competitions. 3 years for Michelangelo wine and spirits awards. 3 years at the Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge. 3 years for Platter's five star panel. I have judged for World Class Bartending Regional finals for 2017 South Africa's best mixologist. I have been featured in various local publications and even caught the eye of one of the world's best wine critic Jancis Robinson. I have also been featured on CNN's Africa African Voices program. Over the years I have built strong networks and connections in the local and international wine industry. These include producers, wine sales representatives, wine distributors, wine marketers, private wine merchants, fellow sommeliers and wine writers. Using this wealth of knowledge I came up with my own wine brand KUMUSHA WINES. To date I export to the Netherlands and Zimbabwe. Hopefully in the near future the wine will be available in Mauritius, USA and the UK. I'm passionate about learning and always improving and broadening my skills. I also endeavor to help nature and mentor young talent in the wine industry.  Other Positions       Board Member – South African Sommelier Association       Board Member – BLACC (Black Cellar Club)        Wine Tasting Panelist - Wine of the Month Club       Independent Wine Judge       Brand Ambassodor – Liqourama Victoria Falls       Wine Columnist – FastJet Flight Magazine  Qualifications      Wine Diploma – Cape Wine Academy      WSET - Level 3      Wine Business Management – GSB  UCT      Certificate – Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy  Achievements Best Wine Service – 2016 Mercedes Benz Eat Out Top 20 Restaurant Awards     Best Wine Steward – 2013 Showcook Inter-Hotel Challenge  100 Inspiring and Aspiring Leader in South Africa – 2016 Young Independents  Team Zimbabwe 2017 & 2018– World Blind Tasting Championships (France) The Last Sip:  When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Reggae For more information: Social Media: Instagram: @tinashe_nyamudoka and @kumushawines Facebook: @Kumusha Wines Resources: https://www.winemag.com/2018/01/24/s3e2/ https://www.thetestkitchen.co.za/home/ https://www.winemag.com/gallery/black-cellar-club-blacc-south-africa/ https://wine.co.za/contact/contact.aspx?CONTACTID=6561&SPOTLIGHTID=104 https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/08/06/african-voices-zimbabwean-sommelier-tinashe-nyamudoka-wine-vision-a.cnn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmQtvBee2RU https://za.linkedin.com/in/tinashe-nyamudoka-6098b33a https://www.wineofthemonth.co.za/the-wine-press/40_panel-tinashe-nyamudoka https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tinashe_Nyamudoka https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/sowetan/20180927/281651076034163 http://zimbabwedigitalnews.com/2018/05/03/there-are-wine-tasters-and-wine-judges-and-then-there-is-zimbabwes-tinashe-nyamudoka/ https://www.winemag.com/2015/09/02/7-questions-for-sommelier-tinashe-nyamudoka/ https://www.vivino.com/wineries/kumusha https://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/life/food/2018-01-25-wine-top-picks-from-a-top-sommelier/