Honouring Guillermo (Billy) Hughes: A Legacy Rooted in Kasteelsig
Billy (Guillermo) Hughes and his late wife Penny were among the earliest investors in the Painted Wolf journey. We met Billy in 1997, shortly after arriving in the Cape. Originally from Mendoza, Argentina, Billy had long dreamed of owning a vineyard—one he realized in South Africa.
Inspired by the energy of the Swartland wine renaissance, Billy bought the Kasteelsig farm near Malmesbury in 2000. Planted in deep Glen Rosa soils, the vineyard began supplying Painted Wolf with Pinotage in 2007, later expanding to Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Viognier. In time, Billy became one of our equity partners.
From early on, Billy committed to organic farming, achieving certification in 2012, and later began adopting biodynamic principles. These efforts weren’t without challenges—especially during the 2016–2018 drought—but his passion for working with nature never wavered. Tragically, Penny passed away in 2012, a tremendous personal loss.
Kasteelsig has played a defining role in Painted Wolf’s success, producing grapes for many award-winning wines—including Guillermo Pinotage, a core wine in our range since 2009. Billy’s grapes have also featured in top wines by other Swartland producers. Though Kasteelsig has recently been sold, its impact endures.
Fittingly, Billy recently had a profound Painted Wolf encounter. While on safari in the Kruger National Park, he came across a pack of wild dogs just as conservationist Grant Beverley and wildlife vet Louis van Schalkwyk were working to remove a damaged collar from a pregnant female. Recognizing the Painted Wolf name, Billy struck up a conversation with Grant—whom we’ve long worked with through our conservation partnerships. Grant was thrilled to meet one of our founding pack members and invited Billy to step out of the vehicle to witness the collaring process up close—a powerful, full-circle moment connecting wine, wilderness, and shared purpose.
We raise a glass to Billy, Penny, and the legacy of Kasteelsig—a vital chapter in the Painted Wolf story.
If you follow us on social media, you’ll have seen our recent collaboration with Jordan Wine Estate for their annual Winter Charity Drive. A huge thank you to everyone who took part!
Although the wine giveaway is now finished, donations are still welcome until 31 July – warm clothing, blankets, or pet food can be dropped off at Jordan to support communities and animals in need.
- Jordan Wine Estate
- 10:00–16:00 daily
- Now until 31 July 2025
Questions? Contact marketing@jordanwines.com
With global wine markets under pressure, it’s exciting to see real momentum growing across East Africa – a region where the thirst for knowledge is rising fast and the quality of tourism is booming.
Emma recently travelled to Zanzibar, Arusha (Kilifair), Mombasa, and Nairobi to deepen relationships, follow up on previous visits, and attend KILIFAIR – one of East Africa’s leading travel trade shows, held annually in Arusha under the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
At Kilifair, Emma showcased the Painted Wolf story strengthening our presence among safari operators, lodge buyers, and tourism partners looking to align with more sustainable, conscious brands.
Why it matters:
- International guests now expect top-quality wine in premium safari lodges.
- Trade shows like Kilifair have put Painted Wolf on the radar across East Africa.
- Conscious tourism is rising – and collaboration with ethical wine brands is more appealing than ever.
Working closely with four dedicated teams on the ground, Emma engaged in a series of carefully curated meetings, sharing the Painted Wolf story with key decision-makers across the region. The result? A strong conversion rate and exciting new opportunities for the brand. She was particularly struck by the spacious yet thoughtfully designed restaurant venues – a clear sign of both the scale of the market and its untapped potential.
We’re proud to be growing our footprint in a region full of promise and purpose.
An engaging online conversation with Joseph Motlhatlego Hlako, a dedicated carnivore conservation field officer with the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Working under the Carnivore Conservation Programme, Joseph specialises in human-carnivore conflict mitigation, with a current focus on African wild dogs and leopards in South Africa’s Waterberg region.
Over the past eight years, Joseph has led numerous initiatives to promote coexistence between communities and carnivores. His work includes managing the Livestock Guardian Dog Project, overseeing a dog breeding facility, leading the Badger-Friendly Honey Initiative, and coordinating the Waterberg Wild Dog Project. Through community engagement, education, and collaboration with landowners and law enforcement, he strives to create safe spaces for wildlife and reduce conflict on the ground.
Alongside him, winemaker Jeremy Borg shared the story behind our ‘Guillermo’ Pinotage—a rich and characterful wine named in honour of our good friend Billy ‘Guillermo’ Hughes. Billy was among the first investors in our winemaking and conservation journey, trading grapes for shares in Painted Wolf. A passionate advocate for organic and biodynamic farming, his Kasteelsig vineyard has been organically certified since 2013, contributing exceptional fruit to this expressive Pinotage.
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