David & Nadia Aristargos 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Swartland, north of Cape Town, has become a benchmark region for innovative blends. The Paardeberg's granitic soils form the backbone of Aristargos, giving a mineral-driven character and precision. Complementary contributions come from shale-based Chenin Blanc parcels within Paardeberg and iron-rich clay soils near Malmesbury, broadening the wine's textural dimension.

The vines range from 1960 to 2013 plantings, predominantly dry-farmed bush vines that have endured decades of drought and heat. This resilience translates into concentrated fruit with remarkable freshness. Old vines of Chenin Blanc, Sémillon, Clairette Blanche, and Colombar underpin the blend, exemplifying the value of Swartland's viticultural heritage. Grapes were sourced from 21 different vineyards across the region, vinified separately to preserve their individuality before final blending.

Winemaking

The blend comprises Chenin Blanc (47%), Sémillon (11%), Verdelho (9%), Clairette Blanche (7%), Roussanne (7%), Grenache Blanc (6%), Marsanne (6%), Colombar (5%), and Viognier (2%). Grapes were whole-bunch pressed and allowed to ferment naturally with indigenous yeasts.

Maturation occurred over 11 months in old, neutral French oak barrels, maintaining transparency of site expression. Unique vinifications enhanced complexity: both Sémillon vineyards underwent skin fermentation for one week, maturing in a 2,500 L foudre; the Colombar also fermented on skins for five days before aging in old oak. Two Chenin components were fermented and aged in concrete vessels (an egg and a square tank). This meticulous, small-batch approach yielded a total production of 13,623 bottles and 513 magnums.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright straw with golden reflections.
• Aroma: Complex layers of quince, citrus, and stone fruit, alongside chamomile, almond, and white spice. Subtle herbal notes and flinty minerality accentuate the granitic influence.
• Palate: Medium-bodied yet textural, with a core of vibrant acidity. Rich fruit concentration interplays with saline minerality and fine phenolics, delivering a long, focused finish.

Did you know?

The name Aristargos means "leader" or "chief" in Greek, a fitting title for David & Nadia's flagship white blend. It embodies their belief in Swartland's old-vine heritage and demonstrates how diverse varieties—Mediterranean and Rhône cultivars alongside Chenin—can create a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled lobster with lemon butter - richness balanced by the wine's acidity and texture.
• Roast chicken with tarragon - herbal and citrus notes resonate beautifully.
• Tagine of apricot and almonds - the wine's fruit and spice lift the dish's sweet-savory complexity.
• Aged Gruyère - nutty depth matched by the blend's layered character.

History of David & Nadia

David Sadie grew up in the Swartland and studied viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University. After gaining experience in both South Africa and abroad, he developed a winemaking style focused on purity, precision, and site expression. Nadia Sadie, a trained soil scientist and viticulturist, complements the project with her deep understanding of Swartland’s complex geology. Together, they launched the David & Nadia label in 2013, with their first wine—a Grenache Noir—sourced from a single dryland bush vine vineyard in Paardeberg.

Early on, the couple did not own vineyards. Instead, they built lasting relationships with growers across Swartland, carefully selecting plots of old bush vines that aligned with their ethos of sustainable farming and minimal intervention. In 2014, they began producing Chenin Blanc, which would become the backbone of their range. Over the years, the project expanded to include a portfolio of both single-vineyard wines and blends, and David eventually stepped away from his role at another winery to focus solely on their brand.

They joined the Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) movement and are vocal advocates for dry-farming, low-yielding bush vines, and natural viticulture. Their philosophy rests on the idea that wine is made in the vineyard: “We don’t chase varietal expression,” David says. “We want the site to speak.”

Region and Vineyards

Swartland has become one of South Africa’s most exciting wine regions, known for its granite, shale, and iron-rich soils, Mediterranean climate, and wealth of heritage bush vines, especially Chenin Blanc. David & Nadia work exclusively with dry-farmed bush vines, many of which are 35 to 55 years old, across a selection of 13 to 15 parcels primarily in the Paardeberg, Kasteelberg, and Malmesbury areas.

The terroir diversity of Swartland plays a key role in their wines. Granitic soils from the Paardeberg contribute elegance, freshness, and salinity to their whites. Shale-rich sites on Kasteelberg add texture, while iron-oxide-rich soils around Malmesbury bring power and structure to the reds.

All their vineyards are either certified organic, in conversion, or managed sustainably, with cover crops and minimal chemical use. They champion low yields, averaging 3 to 4 tonnes per hectare, to enhance concentration and expression. David & Nadia’s work has also helped revive and preserve old vine parcels that might otherwise have been lost.

Wine Range of David & Nadia

The David & Nadia portfolio is built on two foundational categories: the main range and the single-vineyard wines, with both tiers united by a philosophy of restraint, finesse, and age-worthiness.

Their core range includes:

• David & Nadia Chenin Blanc – A multi-site blend from eight old vineyards, showcasing Swartland’s Chenin Blanc in its most balanced form.
• Grenache Noir – One of the most refined Grenaches in South Africa, made with whole-bunch fermentation and aged in old oak for minimal extraction.
• Elpidios – A Rhône-style red blend (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, and Pinotage), offering fragrance, structure, and aging potential.

Their Single Vineyard Series focuses on terroir transparency and includes:

• Hoë-Steen Chenin Blanc – From a 1968-planted vineyard in Paardeberg; textured, saline, and tightly wound, often rated among the top white wines in South Africa.
• Skaliekop – From shale soils in Kasteelberg, noted for its richness and tension.
• Plat’Bos, Siebritskloof, and Witberg – Each representing different soil types and altitudes, giving a spectrum of Swartland Chenin expression.

All wines are made using spontaneous fermentation, gentle pressing, minimal sulphur, and no fining or filtration. Fermentation is typically done in old barrels or foudre to preserve site character, with aging often lasting 11 to 12 months.

Their style is best described as Burgundian in philosophy but Swartland in soul—nuanced, textural, and driven by minerality rather than ripeness.

Did you know?

David & Nadia’s Hoë-Steen vineyard is a member of the Old Vine Project, South Africa’s initiative to protect vines older than 35 years. With roots dating back to 1968, it is among the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards still in production in the Cape.