Unusual cultivars bring Swartland Winery accolades

A wooded Barbera (Overall Champion, two trophies of SYWS and trophy winner nationally) and unwooded Malbec (gold medal and class winner nationally) were the outright successes over the two shows. The Pinotage (gold medal nationally) was also well recognised. Coupled with this, the white wines such as Viognier (Champion Rare White Wine Cultivar - SYWS) and a blend of Chardonnay/Viognier also received high ratings. Even the humble Chenin Blanc received recognition taking the local Champion Natural Sweet White Wine.

Cellar master Andries Blake is understandably delighted.

“Our experimentations with scarce cultivars are certainly paying off” he said, “and these accolades are fitting tribute to the hard work the team has put in over the last year. This really is the jewel in the crown of our 60 year celebrations.”

The Barbera will stay in barrels until the end of the year before bottling starts and, although little known will be well launched into a market place ripe for new and unusual wines..

Blake admits that they put in extra effort with the scarce cultivars, flying in a vineyard consultant from Italy for advice. He says that they have received a lot of positive feedback about these wines and is confident of their success..

The Mediterranean climate of the Swartland region seems definitely to favour reds and scarce cultivars and, for this winery with its proud history, these successful experiments are yet another reason to favour the wines of the region.

Fitting accolades for a winery that has built a solid reputation of consistency, quality and value over its 60 years and remains a step ahead of the rest.