LATEST NEWS
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Dry January: Embrace the Dry
Welcome to Dry January - Ex Animo style, where our New Year’s resolution is simple: keep it dry. If you thought this was a time for fresh starts and wholesome detoxes, think again. Clearly we're having a bit of fun with this, and if your wine isn’t as dry as your sense of humour, you’re [...] More -
The Bandits Are Back | TESTALONGA vintage 2024 Release
Craig and Carla Hawkins of TESTALONGA are ready for their annual release. TESTALONGA is based in the northern Swartland and produces wines that are among the most unique and sought-after currently coming out of South Africa. These wines find themselves on the lists of some of the best restaurants and wine bars in the world. [...] More
About Ex Animo Wine Company
Ex Animo was started in 2014 by husband and wife team David and Jeannette Clarke.
They met in London in 2004 where they were both working for the Harrod’s Wine Department in Knightsbridge, at that time one of the most prestigious wine shops in the world.
Jeannette had moved to London after obtaining her BSc Agriculture with Enology and Viticulture from Stellenbosch University and then working multiple harvests in South Africa, California and New Zealand.
David had worked for 5 years in fine wine retail in his native Melbourne, and arrived in London via a three month tour of the wine regions of Italy, France and Spain.
Jeannette was helpless against David’s charms and they were married in 2007 and moved to Melbourne.
During a happy five years in Melbourne, both David and Jeannette both starting working in fine dining restaurants. They soon both passed the Certified Sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers. They continued to work separately as Head Sommeliers at high end restaurants in Melbourne until 2011/2.
Once their daughter was born in 2012, it was a countdown to moving to South Africa where Jeannette wanted to be near her family. They moved in January 2013.
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