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
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