Winemaker Notes
Dry land farmed bush vines planted in 1991 and 1998 in a combination of pure granite rock in the higher parts of the mountain (around 240 m above sea level), mixed with decomposed granite deposits lower down in the vineyards. 20% whole bunches all deposited in a concrete and vertical wooden foudre for fermentation. One punch down per day, delicately extracted and then pressed off into the old 4,000 L vertical foudre.
Blend: 100% Pinotage
South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage is a distinctively earthy and rustic variety. In 1924 viticulturists crossed finicky Pinot Noir and productive, heat-tolerant Cinsault, and created a variety both darker and bolder than either of its parents! Today it is popular in South Africa both as a single varietal wine and in Cape blends. Somm Secret—The name “Pinotage” is a subtle portmanteau. The Pinot part is obvious, but the second half is a bit confusing. In the early 1900s, Cinsault was known in South Africa as “Hermitage”—hence Pinotage.
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.