In the world of fine wine, there are those who drink, and those who understand. Stephen Swanepoel, Kokomo Private Island’s resident sommelier, falls firmly into the latter category. With an encyclopaedic knowledge of vintages, terroirs, and tasting notes, he doesn’t just pour wine, he curates an experience, guiding guests through a sensory journey that is as much about storytelling as it is about flavour.
“I’ve always believed that wine is about listening,” Stephen says, standing against the breathtaking backdrop of Kokomo’s azure waters. “A great sommelier isn’t just about knowing the perfect pairing -it’s about understanding the guest, their preferences, their palate, even the mood they’re in. It’s about finding the wine that will enhance not just the meal, but the moment.”
And at Kokomo, every moment is worth enhancing.
From Vine to Island
Stephen’s journey to Kokomo is as rich and complex as the wines he selects. Born and raised on a farm, he was drawn to the rhythm of cultivation—the way soil, climate, and care could transform something as simple as a grape into something extraordinary. His love affair with wine began on a visit to one of South Africa’s oldest vineyards, where the art of winemaking first revealed itself to him in all its beauty. From there, his career took him across the United States, working in some of the country’s finest hotels and restaurants, before landing in California wine country, where he honed his craft alongside the industry’s most respected viticulturalists and winemakers.
Now, at Kokomo, he presides over an extensive wine list that spans continents and vintages, from the delicate finesse of Burgundy to the bold complexity of First Growth Bordeaux. Each bottle is carefully selected, every detail meticulously considered.
“To be in the Pacific, on an island as remote and stunning as this, and still have access to some of the world’s most remarkable wines - it’s a privilege,” he says. “We have a wine for every taste, every occasion, every experience.”
And Stephen’s selections are constantly evolving. This season, his latest additions include exceptional boutique South African wines, a project close to his heart. “I walked those vineyards. I worked in their cellars. To now have them on our list, being enjoyed by guests in Fiji, is an incredible full-circle moment.”
What Grows Together, Goes Together
Stephen’s philosophy on pairing is refreshingly simple: what grows together, goes together. He approaches food and wine as an interwoven conversation, where the right combination isn’t just about complementing flavours, but about elevating an experience.
“Each dish in our kitchen is crafted with layers of flavour, tiny details that can so often go unnoticed,” he explains. “It’s my job to understand those subtleties - to find a wine that doesn’t just sit alongside a meal but enhances it, highlights the forgotten aromatics, and makes every bite even better.”
His approach is equal parts art and science, never prescriptive, always intuitive. Guests are encouraged to trust their own palates, to explore, to be surprised. “There’s no ‘right’ answer,” he says. “The best pairing? It’s the one you enjoy the most.”
A Collector’s Legacy: The Lang Walker Wine Collection
But Kokomo’s wine program isn’t just about curation - it’s about legacy. Enter The Lang Walker Collection, a deeply personal selection of wines that once belonged to Kokomo’s visionary founder and are now housed on the island, available for guests to experience firsthand.
Lang Walker was a man with a refined yet adventurous palate, his tastes spanning boutique Australian vineyards, rare Italian vintages, and legendary Old-World wines. But what makes this collection so unique isn’t just its breadth - it’s its personality.
“Mr. Walker loved his wine,” Stephen says. “But what I find truly special about his collection is that, despite his sophisticated taste, many of his selections are from lesser-known estates. He had a deep appreciation for the hidden gems of the wine world, the ones that aren’t just about price tags or prestige, but about character.”
Of course, there are still a few showstoppers in the mix. The crown jewel of the collection? A stunning Bordeaux-style red blend from Waiheke Island, New Zealand - a bottle Lang Walker personally adored. “It’s serious, structured, and from a small but mighty wine-producing region. It was one of his favourites, and for good reason.”
Then, there’s Henschke’s ‘Hill of Grace’ Shiraz, one of Australia’s most revered single-vineyard wines, renowned for its power and elegance. “It’s the most expensive wine in the collection, but it’s worth every drop,” Stephen notes. And for collectors? Old vintage Burgundy and Bordeaux remain the ultimate prize - almost impossible to source.
“That’s the beauty of this collection,” Stephen reflects. “It’s not just about the wines themselves, but the stories they tell. Each bottle represents a moment in time, a decision made, a preference discovered. And now, they’re here, on Kokomo, waiting to be uncorked and enjoyed.”
An Experience Worth Savouring
At Kokomo, wine is never just an afterthought. It is woven into the fabric of the island experience, an integral part of how guests connect, not just with their meals, but with themselves, with each other, and with the landscape around them. Whether it’s a bespoke tasting hosted by Stephen, a private dinner featuring wines from Lang Walker’s personal collection, or simply an unforgettable glass enjoyed by the sea, each sip tells a story.
And for those lucky enough to experience it, it’s a vintage worth savouring.