Swartland
This wine region with a difference lies a mere 65 kilometers north of Cape Town, named Swartland or ‘black country’ after the indigenous Renosterbos, which turns a dark colour at a certain time of the year, it could be argued that some of the most innovative wines are produced here.
Traditionally a wheat-producing region, this area’s vineyards meander along the banks of the Berg River and up into the foothills of a number of imposing mountain ranges. Mountains that keep watch over the Swartland, producing a stark, constant blue/black backdrop to the beautiful vineyards.
Initially the Swartland was renowned for its full-bodied red and fortified wines but the area has recently produced some top white wines too. Wines are rich and fruit-driven, particularly from the Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage grape varieties. Most of the vines are grown under dryland conditions, although some of them are irrigated towards the end of the dry and very long summers.
Darling
This Darling of a town, situated 65 kilometers north of Cape Town (about an hour’s drive), is traditionally part of the Swartland Wine Region but the wines have been deemed noteworthy enough that she has been awarded her very own wine route, which includes five wine cellars all of which benefit from the cool breezes coming off the Atlantic Ocean.
The Cold Benguela Current, which runs northerly along the West Coast of Africa, provides cool winds sweeping through the vineyards in the afternoons and evenings which allows the grapes an opportunity to cool down at night which helps retain acidity and slow down the ripening process which results in more complex flavours in the wines. The ocean also provides early morning misty conditions which deliver much needed moisture to the vines.
Darling’s unique position is ideal for cool climate wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. Vinegrowers have adapted to the poor quality soils and really low rainfall by planting bush vines which naturally grow deeper root systems (Some have roots as deep as 8 meters) and they are also naturally low yielding which means that the fruit has more flavour, depth and intensity which results in wines that are rich and complex. Apart from Darling’s two signature wines Shiraz and unusually Sauvignon-Blanc you will also see Bush-vine Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc featuring in the area’s vineyards.
