Our Story

At its heart, Collectible Vintage is about the producers. Each wine begins with partnership, collaborating with some of South Africa’s most respected growers and winemakers. The vineyard is never secondary. The producer is never hidden. The region is never diluted.

Every bottling becomes a platform, not just for terroir, but for the people behind it: their philosophy, their vineyards, their craft, their generational knowledge.

Unlike most fine wine labels, Collectible Vintage is sommelier-led. Every cuvée is shaped with an understanding of how a wine performs at table, how it evolves in bottle, how collectors respond over time, and how it stands beside the world’s benchmarks.

This is not a project for immediacy. It is a project for legacy, a legacy shared with the producers who make it possible.

Gareth Ferreira MS is a South African Master Sommelier, wine director and entrepreneur whose career has taken him through some of the world’s most respected hotels, restaurants and wine programmes.

Gareth began his international hospitality career at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida, before moving to Dubai, where he worked at the iconic Burj Al Arab. Returning to South Africa, he became Head Sommelier and Beverage Manager at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg, establishing himself as one of the country’s leading wine professionals.

After relocating to London, Gareth joined the opening team of 67 Pall Mall, working alongside Ronan Sayburn MS at what would become one of the world’s most influential private members’ clubs for wine lovers. He later joined Clare Smyth’s restaurant group and is Wine Director of the three-Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth, overseeing its internationally recognised wine programme. His wider responsibilities extend across the group’s growing collection of restaurants and hospitality concepts.

In 2016, Gareth was named Best Sommelier of South Africa and won the United Kingdom Ruinart Sommelier Challenge. That same year, he represented South Africa at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition, reaching the semi-finals and finishing among the leading sommeliers internationally.

Gareth was also a finalist in the UK Sommelier of the Year competition on three occasions, in 2017, 2019 and 2021. His contribution to the British wine industry has been further recognised by being named the UK’s leading sommelier in both Harpers Wine & Spirit’s Top 50 Sommeliers and Sommelier Edit’s Top 100 Sommeliers.

He became South Africa’s first Master Sommelier after successfully completing one of the wine industry’s most prestigious and demanding qualifications in 2021.

“South Africa’s greatest vineyards deserve to stand among the world’s most collectible wines.”

— Gareth Ferreira MS

Gareth is the co-founder and Managing Director of Collectible Vintage. Through the project, he works alongside some of South Africa’s most respected growers and winemakers to create wines that express the character of their vineyards, regions and the people behind them.

His approach combines international fine-wine experience with a deep commitment to South Africa and a belief that the country’s greatest vineyards deserve to stand among the world’s most collectible wines.

SA’s First Master Sommelier · Best Sommelier of South Africa 2016 · Wine Director, Core by Clare Smyth · Harpers Top 50

Ronan Sayburn MS is one of the United Kingdom’s most experienced and respected wine professionals, with a career in hospitality and wine spanning more than three decades. Born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, his journey has taken him through many of Britain’s most celebrated restaurants, hotels and wine institutions.

Ronan’s early career included positions with leading wine merchant OW Loeb and acclaimed restaurants such as Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Pied à Terre. He later spent eight years as Executive Head Sommelier for the Gordon Ramsay restaurant group, overseeing wine programmes, developing wine lists and training service teams across restaurants in London and internationally. He subsequently served as Director of Wines and Spirits for Hotel du Vin, Head of Wines for the Dorchester Collection UK and Head of Wine at the renowned private members’ club 67 Pall Mall.

Having achieved the prestigious Master Sommelier Diploma in 2005, Ronan went on to become a former UK Sommelier of the Year and twice represented the United Kingdom in the European Sommelier Competition. Today, he is CEO of the European chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers, helping to educate, examine and inspire the next generation of sommeliers around the world. He is also Co-Chair of the Decanter World Wine Awards and leads the RS Wine Academy, specialising in wine education, private cellar management and consultancy.

“Helping to educate, examine and inspire the next generation of sommeliers around the world.”

— Ronan Sayburn MS

Ronan is the co-author of Wine and Food: The Perfect Match and a co-founder of Collectible Vintage. His contribution combines extensive international experience with a shared belief that South Africa’s finest vineyards, growers and winemakers deserve recognition alongside the world’s most collectible wines.

Master Sommelier 2005 · CEO, Court of Master Sommeliers Europe · Co-Chair, Decanter World Wine Awards · UK Sommelier of the Year

Clare Smyth MBE is one of the world’s most celebrated chefs and a defining figure in modern British gastronomy. Originally from County Antrim in Northern Ireland, she grew up on a farm, where an early connection to agriculture, seasonality and the provenance of ingredients helped shape the philosophy that would later define her cooking.

After moving to England at the age of sixteen to pursue a career in hospitality, Clare trained in some of the world’s most demanding and celebrated kitchens. Her formative experience included working with Alain Ducasse at the three Michelin-starred Le Louis XV in Monaco, alongside other influential chefs in Britain and internationally, before joining Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London. During a career spanning 13 years with Gordon Ramsay, she became Head Chef in 2007 and was appointed Chef Patron in 2012, becoming the first woman in the United Kingdom to lead a restaurant holding three Michelin stars.

In 2017, Clare opened her first independent restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth, in London’s Notting Hill. Built around exceptional British produce, sustainable sourcing and close relationships with farmers, growers and artisans, Core achieved three Michelin stars in 2021, just over three years after opening. In doing so, Clare became the first and only British female chef to be awarded three Michelin stars for her own restaurant.

Clare expanded her international presence in 2021 with the opening of Oncore by Clare Smyth in Sydney, further establishing her as one of the most influential chefs working across the global restaurant industry.

“A deep appreciation for provenance, craftsmanship and the people behind exceptional produce.”

— Clare Smyth MBE

She later opened her second London restaurant, the luxury bistro Corenucopia by Clare Smyth, in Chelsea in December 2025. The restaurant received its first Michelin star less than three months after opening, bringing Clare’s London portfolio to four Michelin stars across two restaurants and reflecting her uncompromising approach to quality, hospitality and contemporary British dining.

Her many achievements include being named The World’s Best Female Chef in 2018 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. In 2013, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the hospitality industry.

As a partner in Collectible Vintage, Clare brings a deep appreciation for provenance, craftsmanship and the people behind exceptional produce. Her belief in integrity, quality and meaningful collaboration closely reflects Collectible Vintage’s commitment to celebrating South Africa’s finest vineyards, growers and winemakers.

Four Michelin Stars in London · World’s Best Female Chef 2018 · MBE 2013 · Core, Oncore & Corenucopia