Swartland Wine and Olive Route

The forgotten gold of the Swartland

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:09:41 +0000

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen Port gets the limelight. Jerez gets the postcards. But tucked into the hills of the Swartland is something older and stranger. The making of fortified wine in the Swartland is not an act of nostalgia. It is not your grandmother’s sherry trolley, and it is certainly not a […]

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The tale of an old Swartland vineyard

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Thu, 28 May 2026 11:36:08 +0000

Written by Clifford Roberts; Photography by Johan Viljoen Old vines are a treasure for South African wine, revealed in large part by the work of Riebeek Valley local Rosa Kruger and Swartland winemakers, and – in no small part – by the dedication of passionate growers. Significantly, many of these vineyards, like Sk’windjiesvlei in the […]

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The Swartland is more than natural wine

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:58:10 +0000

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen For more than a decade, the Swartland has enjoyed an almost mythical reputation in global wine circles. It is often described in shorthand: raw, wild, natural. While this narrative helped propel the region onto the international stage, it has also become a simplification. The Swartland is not just […]

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This wine route’s anniversary is more than just a birthday

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:57:00 +0000

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen Anniversaries are often marked as mere chronological records denoting the passing of time and, in some part, a nod perhaps to heritage and experience. For the Swartland Wine and Olive Route, which celebrates its establishment in 1986, in every month of March, it’s with worth remembering that its […]

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The story of the Swartland in 10 wines

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:17:28 +0000

Written by: Clifford Roberts; Photography: Johan Viljoen The history of the Swartland – one of South Africa’s leading and arguably, most exciting wine regions. As with any evolution, the Swartland’s journey from bulk wine stalwart to world-renowned home of top quality, sustainably farmed and interesting wines is punctuated by numerous milestones. The following list highlights […]

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Explore the Swartland: A useful guide to planning a multi-day trip

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:18:36 +0000

Written by: Clifford Roberts, Photography: Johan Viljoen The Swartland region, just north of Cape Town, has captivated the wine world with its beauty, vineyards, and pioneering winemaking. If you’re planning a trip to explore the area, the sheer number of exceptional producers can be overwhelming. The Swartland is also one of the most expansive of […]

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Many of SA’s oldest vines are to be found in the Swartland

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:39:06 +0000

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 […]

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Swartland: champion of natural wine

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:01:55 +0000

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 […]

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What is a wine blend ?

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:20:13 +0000

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 […]

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Swartland: nexus of great wine and memorable hospitality

Jolene Janse van Rensburg — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:47:49 +0000

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 […]

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