There has always been something inherently riveting about having a meal in the Swartland. After all, this is the place associated with the first written record of the word boerekos, translated directly from Afrikaans as “farmer’s food”. We’ve come to understand that concept as meal being wholesome, generally large and traditional. But, it’s a word […]

Written by Nadia Sadie & Corrien Basson; Copy editing by Anna-Bet Stemmet One of the most satisfying things in life is watching hard work pay off. This is especially true when recognition is received where it is due. We recently experienced a rewarding moment of this kind when Benjamin Booysen and Randall Julies received awards […]

Written by Clifford Roberts A defining characteristic of the South African wine industry is the family. There are many examples of farms with ancestry going back centuries. This is also true of the Swartland, some prominent examples of which are highlighted here. How does this influence the experience of visitors? What does this mean for […]

Written by Helena (the cousin who does the social media & stuff); Photographs supplied It has obviously been a strange and stressful year for small businesses, especially wineries, alcohol restrictions were in place for 4 of the last 18 months! I’m paraphrasing here but I think if Pliny the Elder was around he would agree: […]

The trophy winners of the Swartland Young Wine show 2021

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen There’s an inseparable link between olives and wine, and wheatfields. In the mind, they hop and skip through associations with small Mediterranean villages to conjure up a setting of warmth, community and happiness. Together, they define the Swartland. Where olives are concerned, the region certainly isn’t the biggest […]

Written by Carla Hawkins Craig and Carla Hawkins, owners of TESTALONGA wines, often get asked what inspires and who designs their labels. The answer, as with most things in their business, is that they do it themselves. Apart from making wine, Craig has shifted his artistic talent from painting to designing labels. Most of the […]

Written by Clifford Roberts; Photography Johann Viljoen South Africa’s three biggest cultivars by vineyard hectares, at last record in 2020, are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz respectively. In terms of production, however, Shiraz ranks Number One. Yet within the monolithic 88 905 tons of the red grape that are used for wine, the Swartland easily […]

As the saying goes, there really is a first time for everything.   Harvest 2021 on Schenkfontein was no exception.    Along with the threat of a third coronavirus wave looming, masks worn in the stifling summer sun, and a cellar full of wine (from the previous vintage) still in the backyard, Schenkfontein Cellar experienced a few […]