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Written by: Clifford Roberts, Photography by Johan Viljoen The Swartland is renowned as a champion of old vine wines. It is home to many of the oldest commercial vineyards in South Africa. Getting down to the brass tacks of old vine heritage is tricky, though. As is the case everywhere, the facts of who owns […]

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photographer: Johan Viljoen The concept of “natural” wine is ancient, but for most novice wine drinkers, it remains a mystery. Swartland producers are among the most outspoken on the category, which makes a visit to the region an ideal place to learn more. Natural wine refers to a philosophy and a

Written by Clifford Roberts; Photographer Johan Viljoen Wine marketers often talk about blending, but what is a blend? It’s generally understood to refer to the use of different grape varieties for the compilation of a wine. Blending is, however, much more than that and is used in many ways – even in the making of

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen Holidays and winelists have more in common than one might expect. They often go together. In the Swartland, pairing great accommodation with a journey of wine discovery is even easier given the region’s offering of premier, wine-focused places to stay. Both wine and comfortable lodgings have one thing

Written by: Clifford Roberts ; Photography: Johan Viljoen; Recipe: Lawrence Smit, Café Myrtledene When we think of olives, it’s easy to picture sun-drenched terraces, warm breezes, and the leisurely warmth of summer. Their briny bite and lush, oil-rich texture feel like the very essence of sunny, al fresco dining. From chilled pasta salads and foccacia

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen Get to know wines of the Swartland and you’ll soon spot a trend: a remarkable number of labels written in Afrikaans. It’s not by chance, and it’s worth looking at in the year the language reaches a milestone. It was 100 years ago, in 1925, that Afrikaans became

Written by: Clifford Roberts Photography: Johan Viljoen (unless otherwise specified) The Swartland wine region has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once perceived as a rural backwater primarily known for wheat farming and as a source of wine for bulk production, it has evolved into a globally recognised hub for exceptional, terroir-driven wines. The metamorphosis began in

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen A road trip is a perfect blend of adventure and freedom, but a little planning goes a long way in ensuring it’s enjoyable. Of course, a road trip is a destination in itself, but exploring a region like the Swartland near Cape Town, takes it to another level.

Written by Clifford Roberts; Photography Johan Viljoen We love focaccia, which is why we present: the recipe for the best focaccia this summer! At its most basic, focaccia is a flat, oven-baked bread made with yeast and olive oil. It’s hugely popular because it has a multitude of variations and is super versatile. You can

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen If there’s one special character to Swartland wineries – beyond, of course, the quality of the wines – it’s their ability to carry off a great party. This doesn’t only apply to the good humour and devil-may-care vibes of many of its winemakers when they’re on the road,