David & Nadia Grenache 2021

Region and Vineyards

The Swartland region, located north of Cape Town, is renowned for its dry climate, rugged terrain, and exceptional old-vine vineyards. David & Nadia’s focus on dry-farmed bush vines and organic farming brings forth the region’s true essence while showcasing the unique characteristics of Grenache noir.

This wine is crafted from five vineyard sites, each contributing to its complexity:

• Paardeberg vineyards: Granitic soils planted in the early 2000s provide freshness and aromatic finesse, while newer vineyards on Langkloof’s slopes add minerality.
• Kasteelberg vineyard: Situated on schist soils, this vineyard, planted in 2016, offers structure and depth.
• Northern Malmesbury: A longstanding vineyard, worked with since 2012, contributes ripe fruit and richness to the final blend.

The diversity of soils – granite and schist – combined with Swartland’s dry-farmed conditions produces Grenache grapes of concentration and elegance, ensuring a wine that balances power with purity.

Winemaking

David & Nadia adopt a minimal intervention philosophy to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the expression of terroir:

• The grapes are hand-harvested with twelve separate pickings to ensure optimal ripeness and balance.
• 60% whole-bunch fermentation brings aromatic lift and refined tannins, with the juice spending four weeks on skins during and after fermentation for gentle extraction.
• The wine is aged for 12 months, split between old 500L French oak barrels and a 2,700L concrete vessel. The concrete (60% of the blend) enhances purity and texture, while oak maturation provides subtle depth and integration.

This careful process ensures the wine reflects its vineyard origins while maintaining vibrancy and finesse.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale ruby red with brilliant clarity.
• Aroma: Delicate and perfumed, with notes of raspberry, red cherry, and cranberry, accented by subtle floral hints of violet and fresh herbal undertones.
• Palate: Light-bodied yet textured, showcasing vibrant red fruit with fine, polished tannins. The fresh acidity brings energy, while subtle earthy and mineral layers lead to an elegant, lingering finish.

Did You Know?

David & Nadia are part of the Swartland Independent Producers, a collective of winemakers dedicated to producing natural, terroir-driven wines that showcase the region’s diversity and richness. Their focus on old bush vines and minimal extraction highlights the authenticity and finesse of Swartland Grenache.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled lamb chops with rosemary: The vibrant red fruit and acidity balance the herbaceous and savory flavors of the lamb.
• Roasted chicken with thyme and garlic: The freshness and light tannic structure complement the tender texture and herbs.
• Mushroom risotto: The wine’s earthy and mineral tones enhance the rich, umami flavors of the risotto.
• Charcuterie board with Manchego cheese: The acidity and red fruit balance the richness and saltiness of the cheese and cured meats.

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.