When Burton Francis moved to a new country to pursue a rugby career, he had no idea that his time overseas would give birth to his own wine brand, Francis Wines. Next up in Food For Mzansi’s Faces of Winter campaign, Francis shares his journey from rugby to wine.
When Burton Francis sat down for a chat with Food For Mzansi during the filming of Faces of Winter, we handed him a lyric to read aloud. The words, “snow falls softly against the window”, resonated deeply with him.
In that moment, he remembered a cold, snowy day in Dijon, France during the Covid-19 pandemic when he made a life-changing decision to trade his illustrious rugby career for a new journey in winemaking. Today, he is the owner of Francis Wines, a collection of wines inspired by the Burgundian winemaking style.
Francis had been playing professional rugby for years, both on home turf and abroad as a fly-half for several teams in France. “I played for four seasons in Agen, between Bordeaux and Toulouse,” he shares.
Exploring the culture of wine
During his time abroad, Francis recalls frequently visiting Bordeaux and Bourgogne to taste wines and immerse himself in the local culture. “The passion people have for their regional wines in France is incredible,” he says.
When the pandemic and injury put his career on hold, Francis was forced to consider his future.
“It was time to hang up his boots and pick up the books,” he explains. “I called producers in Burgundy, passionate about pinot noir and chardonnay, and started exploring this new world.”
His passion and interest in wines saw Francis pursue an MBA in wine and spirits business at the prestigious Burgundy School of Business. There, he learned about the history, culture, and techniques of winemaking in one of the most revered wine regions in the world.
French-inspired wine
While falling in love with the Bourgogne region and their complex and nuanced wines made from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, Francis considered importing Burgundian wines to South Africa, but this would prove challenging. So, instead, he decided to create his own wine brand.
With guidance from mentors like Kevin Grant from Ataraxia Wines, Francis began his journey.
“Kevin said my story was compelling, but finding the right wines was tough. I wanted wines that mirrored Burgundy’s qualities, so I focused on areas like Hemel-en-Aarde in [the Walker Bay district in the Western Cape],” he says.
Francis succeeded in acquiring wines from selected blocks from Babylon Vineyards, with Christo Kotze as the winemaker and Kevin Grant as a consultant.
Winter wine surprises
For Food For Mzansi’s Faces of Winter campaign, Francis showcased his elegant 2022 Pinot Noir. A classically medium-bodied wine, this pairs well with a nice leg of lamb, game, roast duck, or mushroom risotto.
“Our pinot noir is elegant, with flavours of raspberries, cherries, spices, and forest floor. We wanted tension and tightness in the wine, and we achieved it,” Francis describes.
The winemaking process involved 20% whole bunch fermentation and ageing in older French barrels for 11 months. “This allows us to preserve the fruit’s purity while adding complexity and finesse.”
During cold winter months, red wines tend to steal the show but Francis reckons their 2022 Chardonnay is a safe winter bet.
“The chardonnay has vibrant acidity and zestiness. It’s balanced and pairs beautifully with a range of dishes, from roast lamb to creamy pasta. We aged it on its lees for nine months in older 500l French barrels to retain its freshness and complexity,” he explains.
This wine pairs well with grilled seafood, roast chicken, or creamy pasta dishes.
To get your hands on his wine collection that expresses the elegance, balance and complexity of an old-world wine, visit Francis Wines.
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