About Us

The Road Less Travelled

"Over the last 25 years we have been importing remarkable international artisanal producers into South Africa, from like-minded producers from some of the finest Terroirs of the world. The selection is never made from printed lists or following press acclaim or points scored, but the result of visits to wine regions, tastings in person, vineyard walk-abouts, meals, feasts, memories, late nights & friendships.

Our list is most definitely intended for drinkers of great wines - and not for collectors of labels. We hope that you enjoy copiously the spoils of our travels!"

Alex Dale, Founder

RADFORD DALE IMPORTS is the fine wine arm of the innovative Stellenbosch & Elgin-based RADFORD DALE winery. For over two decades, Radford Dale Imports has imported into South Africa wines from like-minded producers from some of the finest vineyards of the world, many of whom have been life-long friends of founder Alex Dale.

Typically, the selection is composed principally of artisanal growers and small producers, specialists in their sites, with only a small handful of larger but philosophically inspirational producers.

There is a common thread between the producers and the wines of the RADFORD DALE IMPORTS selection, linking the finest proponents of a given appellation with those of neighbouring and far-flung regions alike, all driven by the love of wines of balance and of provenance.

Founder, Alex Dale

British-born, Burgundy educated Alex Dale spent many years living and working in Burgundy after he finished his studies (see below). When he moved to South Africa in 1994 after Nelson Mandela was elected President, Alex maintained his ties with his previous homeland and visited often.

Frustrated with the lack of good, international wines on the South African scene and after introducing many of his South African friends to the outstanding wines of Burgundy, Alex realised there was untapped potential here and started to bring in a selection of his favourite producers' wines. In the following years, the selection has grown significantly to include wines from all over France, Europe and the New World.

Alex and his team travel the world extensively each year and on their intrepid adventures, seek out new and exciting wines from the foothills of Etna in Sicily to the shores of Tasmania, south of Australia and beyond, to bring into South Africa. We target interesting producers who share our philosophy about viticulture and wine-making; letting the land decide and allowing nature to express itself without the interference of man, both in the vineyard and in the cellar.

Most of the wines we import - like those we produce ourselves at Radford Dale - are minimal intervention with little or no use of additives, restrained in alcohol and reflect the terroirs and sites where the grapes grow.

The Early Days.

When Alex had hair.

There's a reason why Alex Dale is often referred to as South Africa's pre-eminent expert on Burgundy. He grew up between there and the UK, and aged 16 moved to Beaune permanently to cut his teeth with some of region's (world's) most pioneering producers.

It's why we can say with confidence: if you're looking to stock your cellar with Burgundy, Alex is your guy.