Charles Banks, former owner of Screaming Eagle, sets sights on South Africa

Banks knows South Africa makes liquid gold

Charles Banks knows business and wine. His smarts took him to South Africa, where some of the worlds best wine values are emerging

So what do you do after owning Screaming Eagle, one of Napa Valley’s greatest cult wines, maybe ever?

You start taking some really long plane rides in search of the next big thing.

With Screaming Eagle behind him, Charles Banks, the founding and managing partner of California–based Terroir Capital LLC, an investment firm that specializes in wine properties, and his wife took a trip to South Africa, tasted some of the oldest Chenin Blanc on the continent and knew they found it.

So in 2011, he bought two South Africa wineries in the Cape winelands: Mulderbosch Vineyards in Stellenbosch and Fable Mountain Vineyard in Tulbagh.

Banks is convinced South Africa can make better white wine, especially Chenin Blanc, cheaper than anywhere else in the world. He also thinks the newest wine craze is finding value, and therefore believes South Africa is the answer.

But I had the pleasure of drinking the Mulderbosch Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé out on the deck on a beautiful summer night.

You could smell the strawberries and raspberries but there was a really nice minerality when you tasted it too. With that fabulous dry finish, you could drink this all summer long.

And here's the kicker. You can get it at Costco for about $10.

Swear.

So it seems they are making a great-valued rosé too.

And try these other wines from Banks:

Fable Mountain Vineyards Syrah - South Africa

Marvelous Wines White Blend - South Africa

So save yourself the long, long plane ride and a lot of cash. Try a bottle of South African wine and transport yourself to that beautiful part of the world out in your own backyard.

Cent’ Anni.