28 February 2014

WOTM – Swartland Bush Vine 2010



My Wine of the Month for February is Swartland Bush Vine 2010









Long before the ‘Swartland Revolutionaries’ discovered the area’s propensity for great wine  Swartland Winery was already making it. 


Sixty-five years ago, in 1948, fifteen Swartland farmers came together to build a co-operative winery 3 miles from the town of Malmesbury. The co-operative converted to a private company in 2006


Swartland , meaning the black land, refers to how it looked to the first travellers whosaw  it covered by  indigenous low bushy renosterbos vegetation which  looks black from a distance. 


When I first visited them fifteen years ago Swartland Winery was the largest under one roof in South Africa and it was really impressive to see the size of the operation. I first met cellar master Andries Blake, along with Abrie Beeslaar who went on to take over the winemaker’s baton at Kanonkop from Beyers Truter. Beyers often said that Andries  had made more Pinotage at Swartland than he, Beyers, ever would. Swartland Winery became partners with American wine giant Gallo to make their Sebeka range of South African wines.


But Swartland Winery doesn’t just make large volume wines. This excellent Bush Vine Pinotage is one such ‘boutique’ wine. Crafted on Andries Blake’s watch, it’s a sublime example of a fine wine where fruit and tannins are in perfect balance. Great mouth feel with a dash of Pinotage sweetness on the finish.


Here Andries talks about Swartland Bush Vine Pinotage