Dr Lance Nash, an emergency physician, and his wife, Martha relocated to South Africa from New England in 1995. They were soon joined by daughter Mary-Lou and Rhenosterkop Farm became home to the Nash family, their Alpacas, ponies, olive groves and vineyards.

The whole family got involved in the making of Black Pearl Wines. Marylou as winemaker, Martha as her Chief Assistant and Lance, Assistant Chief. Seven years later the first vintage of Black Pearl wines was released. Made in true garagiste style - the 2001 Shiraz became the Cape flavour of the day.

Ten years, and six vintages later the Nash family's roots are firmly embedded in Boland soil. Mary-Lou has 2 South African born daughters. Black Pearl Wines are still made and bottled in the vineyard by the women of the family and their local all-female team. All the wine releases have received accolades and Mary-Lou was one of five finalists for the 2006 Woman Wine Maker of the year. Lance is actively involved in restoring biodiversity to the winelands and Rhenosterkop Farm has 184ha of its 240ha is covered with pristine Renosterveld. (Lance also gets to drive the fork lift now and then.)

The 2004 vintage is about to be launched and before you know it'll be one of the family's favourite times of year - harvest time!