US investors are set to inject $22 million, about Rwf33 billion, into VINMUSA Vineyard Estate in Musanze, an emerging agritourism and hospitality project that plans to develop Rwanda’s first fine-wine estate and Africa’s highest-elevation commercial vineyard.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO Jean-Guy Afrika recently joined a dinner held in honour of VINMUSA’s American co-founders at the residence of the U.S. Embassy Chief of Mission.
The project will combine grape growing, winemaking, hospitality and tourism, with vineyards planned across Musanze, Burera and Nyabihu districts. At full development, the estate is targeting annual production of about 90,000 bottles of wine.
VINMUSA plans three vineyard sites: Kinigi in Musanze, Lake Burera in Burera District and Mount Karisimbi in Nyabihu District. The first vines have already been planted in Kinigi and Nyange sectors.
The Mount Karisimbi site, at about 2,700 metres above sea level, is planned to become Africa’s highest elevation fine wine vineyard. Lake Burera will focus on premium red wine, beginning with Pinotage, while Karisimbi is planned for premium white wine production.
The first varieties include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. The vines were selected after soil and climate studies conducted with support from South African wine specialists.
VINMUSA Founder, CEO and Creative Director Andres de la Roche said the project seeks to build on Rwanda’s investment climate and tourism sector.
“We see an opportunity now to add something entirely new to that story: a world class wine and hospitality estate rooted in Rwanda’s land, people and extraordinary sense of place.”
The Rwf33 billion investment will cover about 22 hectares of vineyards, a winery, nine luxury guest retreats, three suites, a Welcome Centre and Tasting Gallery and an Experience Pavilion in Kinigi.
The first phase, mainly focused on Kinigi, is expected to cost about Rwf14.7 billion. More than Rwf1.6 billion had already been invested by the time the first vines were planted, covering land, vineyard preparation, technical work, architecture and the initial team.
About 4,000 vines have been planted so far, with further planting planned as the estate expands towards 22 hectares.
VINMUSA Co-Founder Liam T. Dall said the company is taking a gradual approach as it assesses conditions at the different sites.
“As this is Rwanda’s first fine-wine vineyard, we are taking a careful, quality-first approach and will allow the vines and each of our three vineyard sites to determine the precise timing.”
The first harvest is expected about three years after planting.
The project has already employed more than 30 workers from communities in Kinigi and Burera. It is expected to create permanent and seasonal jobs in viticulture, winemaking, hospitality, food and beverage, tourism and estate operations.
VINMUSA is also working with the Gold Youth Development Agency and exploring partnerships with Bridge2Rwanda and the University of Rwanda’s Busogo campus to support viticulture training. Women’s cooperatives and local residents have also been involved in land preparation and seasonal work.
The investment comes as Rwanda explores wider commercial grape production. Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board officials have said the country’s highland conditions could support two grape harvests a year, with yields expected to rise as vines mature.
Rwanda imported nearly 4,000 tonnes of grapes worth about Rwf8.4 billion between 2017 and 2020. Increased local production could reduce reliance on imports while opening new opportunities in agriculture, wine production and tourism.
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