Q&A with Krone’s Cellarmaster: The Art of Place and Precision

Q: Krone and Riverine Rabbit share a deep respect for origin and sustainability. How does “expression of place” influence your winemaking at Krone?
A: Everything begins with the vineyard and our Vintage-only Cap Classique celebrate the character of each growing season. We don’t seek to make the same wine every year, instead we aim to capture what the season gives us. The soils, the elevation, the shifting Cape winds, they all leave their fingerprint in the bottle. That’s the true beauty of expressing place.

Q: Chef Ash works closely with small-scale farmers and local producers — a philosophy that echoes your approach. How do these parallels come through in your collaboration?
A: There’s a shared language of craftsmanship and respect for origin. Just as she lets each ingredient speak for itself, we allow our wines to showcase their natural tension and energy. When you bring those philosophies together,  honest ingredients, time, and patience, the synergy between glass and plate becomes effortless.

Q: How do you see the relationship between quality and authenticity in creating Cap Classique?
A: For us, quality isn’t about perfection; it’s about truth. It’s about working with what nature provides, using minimal intervention to reveal clarity rather than control. Authenticity comes from restraint and letting the vineyard do the talking, then trusting time to refine that voice.

Q: What makes the Krone x Riverine Rabbit partnership such a natural fit?
A: Both of us are rooted in place and purpose. There’s the South African connection, of course, but this collaboration goes beyond that. Krone celebrates the landscape in liquid form, while Riverine Rabbit expresses it through seasonal, sustainable cuisine. Together, we’re telling one story – of craftsmanship, and of a shared pursuit of balance and beauty.

Q: If guests take away one feeling from this residency at Carousel, what would you want it to be?
A: A sense of harmony – that rare moment when flavour, texture, and emotion align. When you taste something truly expressive of where it comes from, it connects you not just to the craft, but to people and place.