Ex Animo Wine Co.

THE COLD SOAK: brought to you by the Ex Animo Wine Club (exanimo.co.za/wineclub/) 
Once a month, we sit down to talk about everything that went down in South African wine. New releases, industry gossip, bold moves, questionable decisions—we've got opinions on all of it.
Hosted by Ex Animo Wine Co. director, David Clarke, with winemag.co.za editor, Christian Eedes, the podcast brings together two respected voices with a clear-eyed view of what matters and what does not.
Each month’s episode cuts through the noise of new vintage releases, incisive analysis of Winemag.co.za reports, and opinionated conversations about the direction of the industry. 
At its heart, The Cold Soak is about informed perspective: rigorous without being pretentious, analytical without losing its sense of humour. Clarke and Eedes balance professional critique with a relaxed, conversational rhythm, making it as engaging for industry insiders as it is for curious wine lovers looking to understand what is in their glass.

THE COLD SOAK: brought to you by the Ex Animo Wine Club (exanimo.co.za/wineclub/)

Once a month, we sit down to talk about everything that went down in South African wine. New releases, industry gossip, bold moves, questionable decisions—we've got opinions on all of it.

Hosted by Ex Animo Wine Co. director, David Clarke, with winemag.co.za editor, Christian Eedes, the podcast brings together two respected voices with a clear-eyed view of what matters and what does not.

Each month’s episode cuts through the noise of new vintage releases, incisive analysis of Winemag.co.za reports, and opinionated conversations about the direction of the industry.

At its heart, The Cold Soak is about informed perspective: rigorous without being pretentious, analytical without losing its sense of humour. Clarke and Eedes balance professional critique with a relaxed, conversational rhythm, making it as engaging for industry insiders as it is for curious wine lovers looking to understand what is in their glass.

THE COLD SOAK: brought to you by the Ex Animo Wine Club (exanimo.co.za/wineclub/)

Once a month, we sit down to talk about everything that went down in South African wine. New releases, industry gossip, bold moves, questionable decisions—we've got opinions on all of it.

Hosted by Ex Animo Wine Co. director, David Clarke, with winemag.co.za editor, Christian Eedes, the podcast brings together two respected voices with a clear-eyed view of what matters and what does not.

Each month’s episode cuts through the noise of new vintage releases, incisive analysis of Winemag.co.za reports, and opinionated conversations about the direction of the industry.

At its heart, The Cold Soak is about informed perspective: rigorous without being pretentious, analytical without losing its sense of humour. Clarke and Eedes balance professional critique with a relaxed, conversational rhythm, making it as engaging for industry insiders as it is for curious wine lovers looking to understand what is in their glass.

THE COLD SOAK: brought to you by the Ex Animo Wine Club (exanimo.co.za/wineclub/)

Once a month, we sit down to talk about everything that went down in South African wine. New releases, industry gossip, bold moves, questionable decisions—we've got opinions on all of it.

Hosted by Ex Animo Wine Co. director, David Clarke, with winemag.co.za editor, Christian Eedes, the podcast brings together two respected voices with a clear-eyed view of what matters and what does not.
Each month’s episode cuts through the noise of new vintage releases, incisive analysis of Winemag.co.za reports, and opinionated conversations about the direction of the industry.

At its heart, The Cold Soak is about informed perspective: rigorous without being pretentious, analytical without losing its sense of humour. Clarke and Eedes balance professional critique with a relaxed, conversational rhythm, making it as engaging for industry insiders as it is for curious wine lovers looking to understand what is in their glass.

Hello and welcome to the Ex Animo Wine Co. Podcast.
I’m David Clarke, and today is our annual SONA — our State of the Nation Address — where we take a step back and look at where South African wine really stands right now.
I’m joined by Christian Eedes of Winemag.co.za, and together we unpack the bigger picture — how producers are navigating a tougher market, where quality is rising, which regions are finding their voice, and what feels genuinely exciting versus what might be overhyped.
It’s a candid look at the momentum, the pressure points, and the opportunities shaping the Cape wine scene at the moment.
Before we dive in, a quick mention: if you enjoy discovering great wine without the guesswork, have a look at the Ex Animo Wine Club. We curate a selection of wines we genuinely believe in, delivered to your door, along with proper notes and context so you understand what’s in your glass and why it matters. Members also receive free delivery and 10% off our ticketed events.
You can find all the details at exanimo.co.za/wineclub.

Right — let’s get into it with Christian: