South Africa

Swartland

Western Cape, north of Cape Town - a bold, dry landscape of wheat fields, old vines and hot summer.

Very hot, dry Mediterranean summers; the region's old bush vines are rooted in ancient weathered soils.

Swartland, a wild, dry, wheat-farming country north of Cape Town, has in the last generation become South Africa's most dynamic wine region. Its ancient, gnarled bush vines, tended without irrigation, produce wines of startling concentration and purity.

Rhône varieties - Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre - and old Chenin Blanc are the signatures, and a young guard of creative winemakers has turned the region into a cult favourite.

For the buyer, Swartland is the place to taste South Africa's winemaking renaissance - personality, terroir and nerve in every glass.

Terroir & Soil

Erosion-resistant granite and schist; ancient dry-farmed vines yield startlingly intense, concentrated wines.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · Swartland has become the most exciting region in South Africa - a hotbed of RhĂ´ne-variety reds and old-vine Chenin Blanc.
  • · Old dry-farmed vineyards over granite produce intense, fruit-forward yet savoury wines.
  • · The region's maverick winemakers like Eben Sadie and Adi Badenhorst make it a cult destination.

Remarkable Bottles from Swartland

All wines →
red

Swartland Shiraz

Swartland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Swartland Shiraz is an red wine from South Africa, in the Swartland region (Western Cape, north of Cape Town - a bold, dry landscape of wheat fields, old vines and hot summer.), made principally from Shiraz. a house-style Swartland shiraz that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

red

Swartland Grenache

Swartland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Swartland Grenache is an red wine from South Africa, in the Swartland region (Western Cape, north of Cape Town - a bold, dry landscape of wheat fields, old vines and hot summer.), made principally from Grenache. a house-style Swartland grenache that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

red

Swartland Mourvèdre

Swartland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Swartland Mourvèdre is an red wine from South Africa, in the Swartland region (Western Cape, north of Cape Town - a bold, dry landscape of wheat fields, old vines and hot summer.), made principally from Mourvèdre. a house-style Swartland mourvèdre that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

red

Swartland Carignan

Swartland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Swartland Carignan is an red wine from South Africa, in the Swartland region (Western Cape, north of Cape Town - a bold, dry landscape of wheat fields, old vines and hot summer.), made principally from Carignan. a house-style Swartland carignan that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

white

Swartland Chenin Blanc

Swartland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Swartland Chenin Blanc is an white wine from South Africa, in the Swartland region (Western Cape, north of Cape Town - a bold, dry landscape of wheat fields, old vines and hot summer.), made principally from Chenin Blanc. a house-style Swartland chenin blanc that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

white

Swartland SĂ©millon

Swartland · 2024 (representative vintage)

Swartland Sémillon is an white wine from South Africa, in the Swartland region (Western Cape, north of Cape Town - a bold, dry landscape of wheat fields, old vines and hot summer.), made principally from Sémillon. a house-style Swartland sémillon that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · Syrah pairs with grilled meat, Moroccan spice and hard cheese.
  • · Chenin Blanc matches creamy seafood, roast chicken and farmhouse fare.
  • · Grenache is lovely with Mediterranean braises.

Buying from Swartland

  • › Old-vine Chenin Blanc from the region's 40-year-old vines is a global treasure.
  • › RhĂ´ne blends and single-vineyard Syrah deliver the region's modern energy.
  • › Limited production and cult status mean buying early pays off.