13/11/2025
Some stories remind us exactly who South Africans are at our core: courageous, creative, and absolutely unwilling to accept “that’s how it’s always been.”
At our Pretoria launch of Red Tape, I had the privilege of speaking with Bridgid Hamilton Russell, whose father challenged an entire industry - and won. Tim Hamilton Russell planted vineyards where none existed, refused the quotas and constraints of the time, and built what would become one of the most respected wine regions in the world.
The team at Prosopa crafted an unforgettable pairing experience, and the wines from Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Creation Wines, Bouchard Finlayson Winery and Ataraxia wines transported every guest right back to Hemel-en-Aarde.
This book isn’t just about wine.
It’s about pushing past gatekeepers.
It’s about building where others see barriers.
It’s about refusing to shrink when the system expects you to.
If you’re growing something, reinventing something, or simply trying to start again… Red Tape will resonate deeply.
👉 Order your copy from The Book Bar (we may surprise one reader with a signed copy).
👉 Read our full review on Substack - it’s one of my favourite pieces this year.
https://thebookbarreview.substack.com/p/when-one-farm-defies-the-rules-red
👉 And special thanks to Bridgid, Prosopa Restaurant and all the extraordinary wineries for making this launch a celebration of rebellious legacy.
