Ghost In The Machine
Glencairn
Secret Safari
Off The Charts
The Drift Estate
Before endless scrolling, wireless everything, and dark-mode screens, there was the arcade—a realm of dark rooms, glowing monitors, neon-lit cabinets, and vibrant worlds built purely from pixels and imagination. Last night at Culture Wine Bar, over shared glasses of wine, Bruce Jack officially unveiled our newest creation: Awaken the Arcade—a brand built as a passionate tribute to that unforgettable era of bold colour, hidden levels, high scores, and boundless creative energy.
“The 1980s was the decade where technology collided with innocence—I think that is what this brand is about,” Bruce reflected during the launch. “For me, the creative explosion of video games is really about subculture. Subculture is where change happens—the human swamp of subculture, the creative underbelly where things are truly imagined and created. The arcade games that burst onto the scene were all part of that. They reflected the cataclysmic schism of the 1980s—the decade that unlocked the future.”
Nostalgia Meets Serious Winemaking
While the labels take their cue from defining icons of 80s gaming—the stark beauty of wireframe landscapes, the blocky charm of 8-bit graphics, the thrill of the Easter Egg, and the unstoppable energy of arcade robots—this is far more than a simple nostalgia act. Behind the playful aesthetic are serious, cool-climate wines grown at high altitude and crafted with absolute intention, patience, and purpose.
To bring this range to life, Bruce returned to a core philosophy that launched his very first South African vintage back in 1999: doing things in a radically different way to push the boundaries of winemaking. The grapes undergo ancient, minimal-intervention techniques paired with modern precision—wines where ancient technology mingles with innocence. As Bruce puts it, “the insight of science is never allowed to smother the poetry,” resulting in wines that are funky, cutting-edge, different, but undeniably delicious.
Curiosity Rewarded
At its heart, this collection is a candid attempt to bottle the light and hope that sparked like fireflies against the convulsing darkness of the 1980s—a reminder that positive, creative energy can always light the dark.
Just like the legendary game creators of the 80s, we craft these wines for a community of wine lovers who seek authenticity, something rare, and something lasting. Because these wines are made in minimal amounts—usually around 200 cases only—every bottle in the Awaken the Arcade lineup holds a story waiting to be uncovered. Curiosity is rewarded, and discovery is part of the experience.
The arcade is back open. Are you ready to press start?
Explore the Awaken the Arcade Range
Drink like it’s the 80s.
Read full Press Release here.
These wine ranges are now available at the below estabilshments:
Cape Town: Culture Wine Bar, Open Wine & Tannin
Johnnesburg: Side Hustle & Whiskey Brother
8-Bit Tannat is available online via Woolworths and in W-Cellar stores