Leeu Passant
Leeu Passant is the prestigious Franschhoek-based winery of winemakers Chris and Andrea Mullineux, known for their terroir-driven, age-worthy South African wines rooted in tradition yet guided by precision.
History of Leeu Passant
Leeu Passant was born from the collaboration between acclaimed winemakers Andrea and Chris Mullineux and Leeu Collection, the luxury hospitality group founded by Indian entrepreneur Analjit Singh. While the Mullineuxs had already earned global recognition for their Swartland wines under Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, they created Leeu Passant to explore South Africa's historic vineyards beyond the Swartland, with a particular focus on Stellenbosch.
The name "Leeu Passant," meaning “walking lion” in Dutch, evokes both the heritage of the Cape wine lands and the aspiration to produce world-class wines with gravitas and elegance. The winery is situated on the Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, where meticulous viticulture, minimalist winemaking, and classical inspiration converge.
Andrea Mullineux, a trained viticulturist and oenologist from the US, leads the cellar with scientific precision and intuitive artistry. Chris Mullineux, South African by birth, complements her with strategic and stylistic clarity, making them one of the country’s most influential wine duos. Their combined expertise is key to Leeu Passant’s philosophy: single-vineyard expressions and heritage blends that reflect site, season, and soil.
Region and Vineyards
While Leeu Passant’s cellar is based in Franschhoek, the heart of its viticulture lies in Stellenbosch, particularly the Helderberg Mountain, a cooler subregion prized for its elevation, maritime influence, and soil diversity. Their Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are planted on high-altitude, gravelly or sandstone slopes, with deep roots and naturally low yields. These terroirs ensure fruit with freshness, purity, and structure.
In parallel, Leeu Passant sources old-vine fruit from historically significant vineyards across the Western Cape, including Wellington and Franschhoek, to craft wines such as their dry cinsault-based blend, inspired by Cape reds of the 20th century. These sites are carefully selected for their heritage, age, and authenticity, and are farmed sustainably.
The team’s viticultural philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, cover cropping, and soil health, with the goal of expressing the nuances of each parcel with utmost clarity.
Wine Range of Leeu Passant
Leeu Passant produces precision-crafted, terroir-expressive wines. The range includes:
- Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay: Grown on the cool Helderberg slopes, it combines salinity, tension, and Burgundian elegance.
- Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon: A structured, age-worthy red showing classic cassis, herbal lift, and refined tannins.
- Leeu Passant Dry Red Wine: A Cape heritage blend inspired by early 20th-century field blends, often featuring cinsault, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah.
- Single-vineyard releases: Occasionally produced from exceptional old vines or standout parcels in Stellenbosch, Wellington, or Franschhoek.
Each wine is vinified with native yeasts, restrained oak use, and extended élevage, delivering depth without excess, and a clear sense of place.
Did you know?
Leeu Passant’s inspiration lies partly in the rediscovery of historic South African winemaking traditions, notably the great dry reds of the 1950s and 1960s. Their Dry Red Wine is modeled on these blends, which were once compared favorably to First Growth Bordeaux in international tastings.
