Eben Sadie Family Wines and the Swartland Revolution

In the years following the end of apartheid, major forces of change were set in motion in the world of South African wine. Young winemakers shaking off the constraints of isolationism and sanctions began travelling widely to discover first-hand what their peers around the globe were doing, returning to their own vineyards filled with new possibilities. Significant and continuous capital investment followed, and growers and winemakers alike re-invented the entire landscape, shifting from bulk wine to fine wine production, exploring new sub-zones for viticulture, and revitalizing old regions as well.

When we talk about the "Swartland Revolution", we're talking about a revolution within a revolution. Until the turn of the millennium, Swartland was dominated by volume wine production, but paradoxically included many old-vine sites whose potential had not been realized. At least, until Eben Sadie came along.

A Swartland native, Sadie was captivated by viticulture at University, and during three vintages at the Spice Route Wine Company, he began to develop his vision for the untapped potential of Swartland's vineyards. When an English merchant following up a lead tasted Sadie's first vintage of Columella, he was impressed enough to offer to help Sadie with start-up costs on the spot.

Two years later, Sadie produced his first vintage of Palladius, the white counterpart to Columella, and both wines began attracting international critical acclaim. This high-profile attention has not just propelled Eben Sadie into the firmament of South African wine, but has also helped others to reach great heights in the region as well, like Chris and Andrea Mullineux and Adi Badenhorst.