David & Nadia Aristargos 2022

Region and Vineyards

The David & Nadia Aristargos 2021 originates from the Swartland region, a renowned wine-producing area in the Western Cape of South Africa. Swartland is celebrated for its diverse soils, warm climate, and innovative winemakers who are dedicated to crafting wines that express a true sense of place. This region, with its rugged landscapes and varied terroirs, is ideal for producing complex and characterful wines.

The vineyards contributing to Aristargos are selected for their unique characteristics:

• Granite soils from the Paardeberg area provide structure and minerality.
• Shale and schist soils from the eastern parts add depth and complexity.
• Clay-rich soils from the northern regions enhance richness and texture.
• Iron-rich soils from the western parts impart a distinctive earthiness.

These vineyards are home to old bush vines, many of which were planted decades ago, ensuring low yields and high-quality fruit. The diversity of these sites contributes to the multifaceted nature of Aristargos.

Winemaking

The David & Nadia Aristargos is a blend of several grape varieties, each contributing to the wine's complexity and balance. The blend includes Chenin Blanc (49%), Clairette Blanche (9%), Sémillon (8%), Grenache Blanc (7%), Roussanne (7%), Verdelho (6%), Viognier (6%), Marsanne (4%), and Colombar (4%). The grapes are hand-harvested from different vineyard sites, ensuring optimal ripeness and quality.

After harvest, the grapes undergo whole bunch pressing to extract pure juice, followed by natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts. This process enhances the wine's authenticity and allows the true character of the terroir to shine through. The wine is aged for 11 months in old neutral French oak barrels, which add subtle texture and complexity without overpowering the fruit. Additionally, the grapes from two Sémillon vineyards were fermented on their skins for a week before being pressed and matured in a very old 2,500 L foudre for a year. The Colombar was also fermented on the skins (for five days) and matured in an old oak barrel. One Chenin Blanc component was fermented and matured in a concrete egg.

The careful blending of these components results in a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts, showcasing the harmony between different grape varieties and vineyard sites.

Tasting Notes

• Color: The wine presents a brilliant pale gold hue, reflecting its freshness and vibrancy.
• Aroma: On the nose, there are aromas of white peach, pear, and citrus blossom, complemented by hints of honeysuckle, almond, and wet stone.
• Palate: The palate is rich and well-balanced, offering flavors of ripe stone fruits, lemon zest, and green apple. It has a lively acidity, a creamy texture, and a long, mineral-driven finish that underscores the wine's complexity and elegance.

Did you know?

Did you know? The name "Aristargos" is derived from the Greek word "aristargos," meaning "best," reflecting the winemakers' commitment to excellence and their pursuit of crafting the finest blend from Swartland's diverse vineyards. This wine is also part of the Old Vine Project (OVP), which aims to preserve and celebrate South Africa's old vineyards, highlighting their historical and viticultural significance.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled Sea Bass with Lemon and Herbs: The wine's acidity and mineral notes complement the delicate flavors of the fish, while its citrus elements enhance the dish's brightness.
• Roasted Chicken with Thyme and Garlic: The richness of the chicken is balanced by the wine's vibrant acidity, and the herbal notes of the dish resonate with the wine's aromatic profile.
• Goat Cheese and Fig Salad: The creamy, tangy goat cheese pairs beautifully with the wine's fresh fruit flavors, and the sweetness of the figs adds a delightful contrast.
• Mushroom Risotto: The earthy flavors of the mushrooms are enhanced by the wine's complexity and minerality, while the creamy texture of the risotto complements the wine's mouthfeel.

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.