Swartland

Swartland winemakers are paving the way for producing some of South Africa’s most sought-after wines. Their secret ingredient is abandoned old vines from the post-apartheid era. Other regions like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek were more fashionable at the time, and while farmers were tearing out old plants and replacing them with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Swartlands' untrellised varietals were left to fend for themselves. The result is unconventional, exciting wines being crafted from lesser-known grapes like Palomino, Semillon Gris, Cinsaut and Tinta Barocca.