Swartland Winery
History
| Swartland Winery is situated just outside Malmesbury, a town that was established in 1827 and named after the Governor of the Cape's father-in-law, the Earl of Malmesbury. The area surrounding the town was (and still is) very much a farming community, renowned for its wheat, sheep and vine cultivation. In 1948, 15 farmers joined forces and founded their own cellar for wine production. Today, the co-operative has 100 members, with an area of 3100 hectares under vine, crushing approximately 25,000 tonnes of grapes each harvest. |
Viticulture & Vinification
 | The Swartland region (Swartland meaning black soil) is an open , undulating area north of the Cape, with fertile soil fanned by cool Atlantic breezes (the coast is only 30km away). As much as 85% of the land farmed by Swartland members is planted with bush vines, giving an average low yield of 7 tonnes of grapes a hectare. Grape selection is therefore not only by hand but by nature's way. |
The result is smaller berries with extremely good fruit concentration, enabling Swartland Winery to produce large volumes of single varietal wines to an exceptionally high quality. Another extremely important factor, which further secures the high quality of Swartland's wines, is the top specification bottling line on site, so that the winemaking team are able to supervise all aspects of the vinification through to the finished product.
A strength of Swartland has been their willingness to invest in wine quality for the future. Major investments include a huge investment in the wine cellar to separate red and white into new state of the art facilities and in a new premium oak barrel cellar
The Wines
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Swartland produce an excellent selection of wines for bespoke labels as well as under their own Swartland, Kamsberg and Eagle Crest brands
To find out more about Swartland winery visit their website at http://www.swwines.co.za/
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Wines
- Eagle Crest Cabernet Merlot
Deliciously smooth red with blackberries and plums on the nose, underpinned by hints of chocolate, and vanilla. Lots of fruit and juicy ripe tannins.
Bronze medal winner at 2006 Decanter Wine Awards
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- Eagle Crest Chenin / Chardonnay / Sauvignon
Lifted peachy fruit abounds in this fruity dry white. Smooth, satisfying and big on flavour.
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- Indalo Cabernet Sauvignon
Packed full of ripe cassis and soft new oak. Smooth, full bodied and well balanced.
'elegant & balanced. Ripe black fruit jam aromas, dry tangy-savoury flavours, same firm but ripe tannins...' **** (4 Stars - Outstanding) John Platter Guide to South African Wines 2006
2004 Vintage won Bronze Medal at Decanter 2006 World Wine Awards, London.
- Indalo Shiraz
Spicy and peppery red with smooth plum fruit and well integrated oak.
2004 won Silver Medal at 2006 Decanter World Wine Awards
- Kamsberg Cape Red
Soft and smooth juicy red. Ideal for parites
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- Kamsberg Chenin
Deliciously ripe but balanced white with flavours of honeysuckle, grass and tropical fruit, crisp fresh and dry.
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- Kamsberg Colombard
Delicious dry white with smooth melon flavours
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- Kamsberg Merlot
Soft and juicy red with plenty of ripe plumy fruit
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- Kamsberg Pinotage
'An elegant raspberry-scented number with subtle approachable tannins and plenty of flavour' Tim Atkin, The Observer.
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- Kamsberg Pinotage Shiraz
Smooth medium bodied red with fruits of plum and blackberries. A barbecue favourite
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- Kamsberg Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh and zesty white with crisp hints of gooseberry and melon
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- Lion's Hill Cape White
A crisp and fruity dry white from Chenin and Colombard, packed full of fresh melon and citrus fruit. Delicious with lunchtime salads
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- Lion's Hill Red
Made from Cabernet, Pinotage and Shiraz grapes grown on low yielding bush vines in the Swartland area of the Western Cape, this is ripe, soft and juicy with lots of easy black fruit characters. Great for barbecues
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- Swartland Pinotage
Spicy plummy fruit abounds in this soft smooth Pinotage, with hints of ripe cherry fruit and juicy tannins.
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- The Swartland Shiraz Malbec
Rich full bodied red with damson plum, blackcarrant and mulberry fruit laced with hints of spice and soft tannin. Satisfying and concentrated finish.
2005 Vintage won SILVER at Decanter 2006 Wolrd Wine Awards and BRONZE at 2006 International wine Challenge in London.