Carlo and Kolja met at school in Cape Town in 1989. Sharing a similar outlook on life, their journey took each of them to countries around the world, learning and broadening their horizons. Carlo learnt carpentry in Switzerland, followed by a winemaking degree from Stellenbosch, whilst Kolja started out as a garden landscaper in Germany followed by a stint in finance after completing a BCom in the UK.

Enjoying great wines was always something they both had in common.

“We enjoy collaborating with interesting, like-minded people that love to share experiences with one another. As for the name of our wine label, names we explored along the way were Klein Begin, Dwarswind and Kronkelpad (as it has not been a straightforward journey), Two Barrels (the first batch of wine we made), Two Roads, The Road Less Taken, Time Taken, The Second Half and even Unstraightforward. The name ultimately came with the help from a friend who found out about a book called: ‘The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom’. The name ‘Eight Gates’ resonated and was a roundabout way of what we identified with. This is a project that we started at age 50 and it took us a few years to get to this point in time. Our individual paths had their ups and downs so the result of our combined experience is present in this project. We are looking to make wines from small beginnings, getting our grapes from interesting vineyards and of the highest quality. We committed to using the best barrels, in our view Mittelberger cooperage, that have been assembled by craftsmen in Italy with oak that has been aged in the pollution-free altitude of the Dolomites.  Whatever the occasion, we hope you are able to reflect on your own journey while enjoying this wine. Our promise to you is that we have not made compromises when crafting this wine. Please enjoy.”