Awash Winery Visit & Tasting

Visit Africa most unexpected winery, now part-owned by Bob Geldof (yes, Live Aid Bob Geldof). Originally founded by Italians in 1943, nationalized in 1974, and privatized in 2012 when Geldof 8 Mile equity firm bought in. They produce 10 million bottles annually. Taste Axumit Sweet Red - Ethiopia most popular wine, named after the ancient Axumite kingdom. The volcanic soil at 1,600m creates minerality you cannot find anywhere else on Earth.

Insider tips

• Contact ahead through their website - visits are not frequent but possible

• 180km from Addis Ababa along the Awash River

• They harvest twice per year (Dec-Jan and June-July) - try to visit during vendimia

• The Axumit Red is the bestseller but the Kemila White is underrated