What first drew you to the world of wine?
Honestly, it wasn’t a single moment, but a series of quiet turns that led me here. At first, I was chasing a different dream, as a javelin thrower training for the Olympics. But when life redirected me to Stellenbosch, I found myself drawn to its wine route, enchanted without yet understanding why.
The defining spark only came later, at our family retreat in Puntjie, with two German friends and a bottle of Amani “I Am One” 2006. Under the Milky Way the ocean stretching endlessly before us, that wine spoke to me in a way nothing else had before. It stirred something deeper, an excitement that felt both new and inevitable, but also came with certainty. From that night onward, I knew that wine would become my calling, even if I did not yet know how to chronicle it.
Can you share the story behind the name “Inevitable Wines”?
The name is rooted in me, as I am Neville Barnard Lotz Jnr, named after my father. Somewhere along the way, everyone started calling me Nev, or “Klein Neville,” which is kinda ironic, considering I’m 6 foot 5 and my Dad can quite literally walk underneath my arm. So, “Inevitable” is a play on my name. pronounced: ‘in’ (nev) ‘i’ ‘ta’ ble’ It is personal, yes, but it also speaks to destiny. Just as wine found its way into my life, creating Inevitable Wines always felt… inevitable.
What was the most challenging part of launching Inevitable Wines, and what ultimately motivated you to move forward?
Inevitable wasn’t born from a master plan, it was a chain of serendipitous events. A phone call from a friend, Rudolph Steenkamp, now a Cape Wine Master, lit the fuse, and the idea caught fire.
My biggest challenge came almost immediately. I launched Inevitable just six months before Covid hit. The world shut down, I closed my doors, and for more than a year the dream stood still. I went home to care for my Parents, my Father, then 80, holding the fort, while my Mother was already five years deep into dementia. What we didn’t know was that my Father wasn’t far behind.
It was a season of hardship, but also of perspective. What kept me going was simple: love. Love for family. Love for craft. Love for the work I knew I was meant to do.
What does a typical day look like at Inevitable Wines?
It all depends on the season. Harvest is pure creation, hands on, senses alive, my artisanal side fully immersed in vineyard and cellar. The rest of the year, it’s about connection: sharing my story, pouring the wine, and building bridges between people and cultures, one glass at a time.
What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned since starting Inevitable Wines?
True contentment lives in the craft itself. When you are aligned with your calling, joy remains, even in uncertainty. But life will test you. Inevitable has, most certainly, been my greatest teacher in resilience. It reminded me that beginnings are rarely smooth, that sometimes you must pause, endure, and trust the timing. For every pause has it’s purpose. The inevitable is never rushed.
Can you tell us about any current projects you’re working on?
I’ve made a barrel of Provençal-style rosé. Not an afterthought, but a wine of intention, complex in it’s offering, alluring, barrel-fermented, and set to barrel-age for a year. Layered aromas of delicate red fruits and berries, subtle floral whispers lead the way, while hints of cream and minerality add intrigue. Elegance meets tension: Layered, elegant, precise, and unexpected.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Inevitable Wines?
I’ve just showcased my wines at Cape Wine for the first time. Seeing them reach a global audience was truly humbling, the response quietly overwhelming. I look forward to new export opportunities, building meaningful connections, and sharing the story of Inevitable beyond South Africa, Belgium, and Scotland, extending our reach to new audiences and giving Inevitable a platform that transcends the seven seas, embraces culture, and invites all to embark on a profound sensory journey. Wines crafted to transcend mere libations, to become moments, memories, and stories shared.
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