CORRECTS YEAR A giant statue of former president Nelson Mandela after being unveiled on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Dec 13, 2012, by president Jacob Zuma, second from right, ahead of the ruling African National Congress's elective conference. Mandela, who has been hospitalized since the weekend, is recovering from a lung infection. (AP Photo)
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CORRECTS YEAR A giant statue of former president Nelson Mandela after being unveiled on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Dec 13, 2012, by president Jacob Zuma, second from right, ahead of the ruling African National Congress's elective conference. Mandela, who has been hospitalized since the weekend, is recovering from a lung infection. (AP Photo)
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CORRECTS YEAR A giant statue of former president Nelson Mandela after being unveiled on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Dec 13, 2012, by president Jacob Zuma, unseen, ahead of the ruling African National Congress's elective conference. Mandela, who has been hospitalized since the weekend, is recovering from a lung infection. (AP Photo/STR)
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Giant portraits of former African National Congress (ANC) presidents, including former South African President Nelson Mandela, right, overlook Bloemfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Dec 13, 2012. As South Africa's governing party moves closer to picking its next leader, it will do so without the man widely viewed as the country's moral compass, Mandela. Mandela, who remains hospitalized with a lung infection, led the African National Congress political party to victory in the nation's first truly democratic election in 1994 through a principled show of magnanimity toward the country's racist former rulers, despite spending nearly three decades in prison. On left is founding president John Dube and center is Albert Lethule. (AP Photo)
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FILE - In this June 17, 2010 file photo, former South African President, Nelson Mandela leaves the chapel after attending the funeral of his great-granddaughter Zenani Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa's presidency says former President Nelson Mandela is suffering from a recurring lung infection and is responding to treatment. The statement Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 from presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon is "receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment." (AP Photo/Siphiwe Sibeko, Pool, File)
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Young women walk pass a mural depicting former South African President Nelson Mandela at Alexandra township in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. South Africa's presidency says former President Nelson Mandela is suffering from a recurring lung infection and is responding to treatment. The statement Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 from presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon is "receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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A giant portrait of former president Nelson Mandela adorns a cooling tower of a now defunct power station in Soweto, South Africa, Monday, Dec 10, 2012. Mandela underwent more unspecified medical tests in a military hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, as the public and journalists outside continued to ask the same, as of yet unanswered questions: What, if anything, is wrong with the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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A giant portrait of former president Nelson Mandela, center right, adorns a cooling tower of a now defunct power station in Soweto, South Africa, Monday, Dec 10, 2012. Mandela underwent more unspecified medical tests in a military hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, as the public and journalists outside continued to ask the same as of yet unanswered questions: What, if anything, is wrong with the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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A young girl walks past rosaries hanging at a hawkers stall in Freedom Square, Soweto, South Africa, Monday, Dec 10, 2012. Various leaders and personalities have called for people to pray for former president Nelson Mandela as he underwent more unspecified medical tests in a military hospital in Pretoria as the public and journalists outside continued to ask the same, as of yet unanswered questions: What, if anything, is wrong with the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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Children pose for a photo as they hang out beneath a newspaper headline, in Vilikazi street, the tourist hub of Soweto South Africa, Monday, Dec 10, 2012, where former president Nelson Mandela once lived. Mandela underwent more unspecified medical tests in a military hospital as the public and journalists outside continued to ask the same, as of yet unanswered questions: What, if anything, is wrong with the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon. Mandela is affectionately know as Madiba. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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People take photos of the giant statue of former president Nelson Mandela, in Mandela Square, Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday Dec. 9, 2012. South Africans prayed Sunday for the health of former President Nelson Mandela and anxiously awaited further word about the anti-apartheid leader after he was admitted to a military hospital. President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela Sunday morning at the hospital in Pretoria and found the frail 94-year-old to be "comfortable and in good care," presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement. Maharaj offered no other details about Mandela, nor what medical tests he had undergone since entering the hospital Saturday. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
Mandela family launches wine collection in Miami
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (
AP) — For decades,
Nelson Mandela's name has been synonymous with political reform and the struggle against South African apartheid.
Now with the launch of House of Mandela Wines, his daughter and granddaughter hope to add fine wine to the list of associations.
It's a sign of just how far both the wine industry and the country have come since 1994, when apartheid was dismantled and Mandela was elected the nation's first black president.
"The wine movement is growing," said Tukwini Mandela, his granddaughter. "More and more people are experimenting with wine beyond spirit drinks. And there's a large segment of the black community who is interested in wine now."
The family launched their blends of red and white grapes this week during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Prices range from about $12 to $50 for their royal reserve collection.
The screw-capped bottles are adorned with an image of a bee, the company's logo that symbolizes compassion, sharing, humanity and "one who is brave enough to challenge the status quo."
"We are praising our ancestors," said Tukwini Mandela. "We are telling the story of our family and who we come from with these wines so it's only natural that we would use the name Mandela."
The line includes red, white and sparkling wines. Unique to South Africa, House of Mandela also features a pinotage that is a Mandela family favorite.
"It's a reflection that South Africa is maturing in terms of its wine product," said Makaziwe Mandela, daughter of the political reformer.
House of Mandela Wines will donate a portion of its proceeds to charitable groups working to resolve education, health, culture and energy issues in South Africa.
"There is a lot of synergy between wine and our family," said Makaziwe Mandela. "But when you look at how the vine grows, the vine doesn't grow in a straight line. It twists and turns, representing the twists and turns of life. Life is not a straight line. What we are proud of is that out of adversity we helped create a wonderful experience."
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