David & Nadia Aristargos 2024

Region and Vineyards

Swartland lies in South Africa's Western Cape, a dry inland region where bright sunshine, low rainfall and cooling maritime influence help retain freshness in white grapes. The landscape is broad and varied, and David and Nadia Sadie work with old-vine parcels spread across the Paardeberg and other Swartland sites. This multi-site approach brings together contrasting exposures and soils, giving Aristargos a layered regional signature rather than a single-vineyard profile.

Granite-rich Paardeberg ground contributes a firm, stony impression, while the wider Swartland mosaic adds aromatic breadth and texture. Dryland farming encourages naturally concentrated fruit, and the Chenin Blanc-led blend reflects the area's ability to combine ripeness with energy. In the glass, orchard fruit, citrus and gentle savoury tones carry the character of these old vines, with a subtle saline edge that keeps the finish lifted and precise.

Winemaking

Aristargos 2024 is a dry, Chenin Blanc-led assemblage of Swartland white varieties, with Sémillon and Colombard contributing complementary perfume and shape. Fruit from several old-vine parcels is handled gently to preserve freshness, allowing each component to retain its identity while building a layered whole. The result is a balanced, site-focused blend with both aromatic clarity and palate depth.

Fermentation proceeds naturally, and the wine matures in a combination of neutral old wood and concrete, vessels chosen to support breadth without masking the fruit. A portion of the white varieties receives short skin contact, adding delicate tactile grip and subtle savoury complexity. This restrained élevage keeps the palate energetic while giving the wine a rounded, quietly waxy texture, finishing with citrus drive, measured richness and a stony-saline persistence.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright pale gold with a silvery-green edge and a clear, polished appearance.
• Aroma: Ripe pear, white peach, green apple and lime mingle with lemon zest, subtle herbs, lanolin and fine waxy tones.
• Palate: Dry and layered, combining citrus brightness with orchard-fruit richness, lively freshness and tactile grip. Stony, savoury nuances lead into a gently saline finish of impressive length.

Did You Know?

The Sadies assemble Aristargos from a mosaic of old-vine parcels rather than a single site, making each bottle a compact portrait of the Paardeberg and wider Swartland landscape.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled sea bass with lemon and herbs: The wine's citrus lift and saline finish mirror the freshness of the fish while its texture supports the smoky grill character.
• Roast chicken with thyme: Orchard fruit and gentle herbal notes complement the roast's savoury richness without overwhelming the delicate meat.
• Charred asparagus with fennel and almonds: Stony freshness cuts through the vegetables' sweetness, while the wine's subtle waxy texture echoes the toasted almond garnish.
• Mildly spiced chickpea tagine: Citrus energy and controlled richness balance warm spices, preserved lemon and the dish's earthy, aromatic depth.

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.