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, but also to events in the region itself.
The Swartland Street Party is renowned as a go-to event for the latest news, but also a plain good time. It has successfully built on the gang-busting reputation of the Swartland Revolution, which not only dramatically changed the fortunes of Swartland wine, but also helped draw international attention to the quality of South African wines in general.
Next year will be 10 years since the last Swartland Revolution tasting – an event rumoured to be heading for a reunion of sorts.
It was then in true form that the Swartland Street Party took place earlier this month. The response, once again, was resounding. Tickets to the tasting itself were sold out and dinner events around town, at The Barn, Au Bouchon Rouge and Marras, oversubscribed.
Adding to the town’s bustle on the day, two other events on the same weekend including the fifth anniversary of The Barn, which featured the Black Bear band; and, the launch of cookery world darling and Riebeek Kasteel-resident, Isabella Niehaus’s latest cookbook, Earthling Food (Naledi).
First up on Saturday morning, however, was a very special tasting called Garnacha Swartland x Gredos, which took place at Het Vlock Casteel.
Curro Barreño travelled from his home in the Sierra de Gredos, a town southwest of Madrid, to share six wines from this region. Two locals – one from David & Nadia and one from AA Badenhorst Family Wines – were thrown in for good measure.
It was moderated and presented by Martijn Verkerk of Smaragd Wines in the Netherlands, Curro and Paardeberg-based winemakers David Sadie and Adi Badenhorst. Post-event responses included Winemag writer and authoritative author Tim James musing on the variety in an article titled, “Putting South African Grenache in a new context”.
By mid-morning, however, Riebeek Kasteel’s Main Street was a hive of activity. Another sunny day was forecast, and it was going to be warm. Even more so for winemaker Jasper Wickens who clambered from a battered old flatbed he’d pulled up for the stage, motioned towards the cab and muttered to Adi Badenhorst, “It’s damn hot in there!”
Soon, visitors poured into “Short Street”, a private shopping alleyway owned by Anton Espost that was now lined with barrels, spittoons and cases of wine.
“Have you heard?” Juanita Malan asked me as we ran through the wines at Allesverloren’s stand, “Alastair Rimmer has just started consulting for us a few days a week.”
It was certainly over all too soon, for many, although the party rolled on until late at the Rusty Cantina, which opened in Short Street just a few months ago. Without doubt, Swartland Street Party 2024 was a worthy credit to the legacy of good times and great wines of the Swartland.
Waar is Ahrens Family wines🤔