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Swartland

See Swartland producers

After Stellenbosch, the west coast district of Swartland (25 miles due north of Capetown between the towns of Malmesbury & Picketberg) now ranks as the Cape's most exciting wine producing district.

Settled initially by nomadic Khoi-Khoi from Namibia, the Dutch brought trade, vines and unrest to the region in the 17th century.

The British then transformed the area into the Cape's bread basket; viticulture being developed only more recently. This contrasts with an ancient geology which has brought us a mix of shale, arenitic sandstone and granite soils air-conditioned by the Atlantic Ocean nearby.

Chenin Blanc and Shiraz seem to do best, as exemplified by the wines of Eben Sadie and Mullineux.