• 2022 Sadie Family Swartland Kokerboom
• 2022 Sadie Family Swartland Rotsbank
• 2022 Sadie Family Swartland Pofadder
• 2022 Sadie Family Swartland Treinspoor

One of the tearaway producers of the revitalised Swartland wine scene, Sadie Family Wines has had an astronomical rise to fame on the international stage.

Owner and winemaker, Eben Sadie, first found acclaim under the banner of Terroir Al Limit where he was a co-founder alongside Dominik Huber. In the same way that Terroir Al Limit helped redefine what wine could taste like from Priorat in Spain, Sadie handles his family wines and vines with that same ruthless attention to detail.

These wines perfectly articulate a sense of place. Sadie's transparency in winemaking and obsessive farming practices reveal intense, tightly-wound wines with distinct personality. These are now some of South Africa's most keenly sought-after artisan wines. Worldwide allocations are minuscule and hotly contested. As little as a handful of bottles make it to Australia each year. Secure these rare birds while you can.

2022 Sadie Family Swartland Kokerboom

The Kokerboom is part of Eben Sadie's elite Old Vine Series of wines. Kokerboom is the highest vineyard under his care, and thanks to the aspect of the site, one that ripens Semillon Gris and Semillon Blanc beautifully.

This wine is known for its generosity of flavour in the context of the Semillon variety. It shows distinctive beezwax and chamomile tea notes with a cleansing limey finish that soars.

It's a distinctive style of Semillon, one that will cellar beautifully for a decade or more.

“This is a wonderful expression of his Citrusdal Mountain farm, and something of a tribute to Henk Laing, the grower who passed away last year. Combining Semillon with around 15% interplanted Semillon Gris, this is less exotic than it can be, showing layers of honeysuckle, saffron, citrus and herbs supported by fresh, sappy minerality, a touch of tannin and a musky undertone.” 96 points, Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023

“Henk Laing may have left us earlier this year, but the vineyard that he made famous lives on in wines like Kokerboom. Sourced from a 1.5-hectare block planted in the 1930s, this blend of Semillon and 20% Semillon Gris is rich, bold and exotic, with peach, apricot and ginger spice flavours and supporting freshness and minerality. 2022-27” 94 points, Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2022

2022 Sadie Family Swartland Rotsbank

Old Vine Series. Rotsbank is Sadie’s first release of a new vineyard in over a decade. Having coveted the site for fourteen years, Eben finally got his hands on these 40-year-old vines in 2021. “We have always maintained that we would only bottle a Swartland Chenin if it could be from this vineyard,” Eben tells us. “It might have been a long 14 years of waiting to get our hands on this vineyard, but it was simply worth it in every respect.”

It is located in the Paardeberg and planted on a very shallow rock shelf, “Rotsbank”, which leads to minimal growth for the vines as the topsoil is exceptionally shallow. The reserves are always minimal, and the general shoot length and bunch sizes are much smaller than in the surrounding Chenin vineyards. The first release is clearly special, yet Eben believes there is more to come, noting: “We have spent much time and capital over the past three seasons to elevate this vineyard to the highest level, and within a year or two, we expect an even greater response from the soils.”

“Eben Sadie is mostly associated with the Swartland, but he has never made a Chenin Blanc from the region. Until now. Bony soils of decomposed granite supply the material for this awesome first release from one of the world's greatest winemakers. Flinty and chiselled, with notes of wet stones and oyster shell, it bears the effortless concentration of its 38-year-old vines, masses of extract and tension and plenty of ageing potential.” 97 points, Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023

“The 2022 Rotsbank is pure Chenin Blanc from Swartland that Sadie told me he had waited 14 years to make. The 39-year-old vines grow on a shallow blue granite shelf. It is whole bunch pressed and aged in old foudres. It has a penetrating granitic nose, a touch of Crustacea, and is very well-defined with a hint of green olive. The palate is supremely well-balanced, taut and vibrant, with real depth and a tingle of white pepper on the finish. This is a brilliant new addition to Sadie's Old Vine Series.” 96 points, Neal Martin, Vinous

2022 Sadie Family Swartland Pofadder

The Pofadder, named after the venomous puff adder viper, is a beautiful rendition of Cinsault from Eben Sadie that is the opposite of what its name may suggest.

Sadie says that the vineyard this wine hails from is one that requires the most of his care and attention. It comes from a small parcel on the Kasteelberg Mountain, with the low-yielding vines there planted in 1973.

Bright and full of energy, this is a delicate red that explodes with wild red berries, minerality and fine tannins. Perfectly poised drinking from a master of artisanal winemaking.

“Can Cinsault make world class wines? In the right hands, yes. This complex, juicy, joyously drinkable Darling red has amazing concentration and grip for what is only a medium-bodied wine. Rose petal and hibiscus aromas segue into a palate of goji berry and red cherry, with some clove and white pepper top notes from 50% whole clusters and a fresh, ocean-influenced finish. 2024-30.” 96 points, Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023

“The 2022 Pofadder is pure Cinsault from Swartland, 50% whole clusters with 20 to 28 days on the skins, raised in 40-year-old foudres. It has a pure bouquet with maraschino, blueberry, pressed flowers and a light musk-like scent. Stunning delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, perfectly judged acidity, gentle grip and an extraordinarily long and sensual finish. Cinsault doesn't get better than this, and I could understand why Sadie remarked, “The fruit was so great I didn't want to put it into the vat.” 95 points, Neal Martin, Vinous

2022 Sadie Family Swartland Treinspoor

Eben Sadie believes Tinta Barocca to be "the greatest grape for the Swartland".

While he may very well be Robinson Crusoe on that opinion, it's hard to argue with the quality of his offering of the straight variety. This Portuguese native thrives in his hands.

It's dark, structural, exotically spiced and has a wonderful perfume of dark fruits and dried flowers. It's a wine that unfurls beautifully with time in bottle. It's the wild child of the Sadie line up and one to keep an eye on for the future.

“The 2022 Treinspoor is pure Swartland Tinta Barocca that includes 50% whole clusters, 20 to 28 days on the skins and matured in old foudres. The bouquet is a little plusher on the nose than the Pofadder, with crushed rose petals and fynbos - garrigue. Stunning delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, perfectly balanced, and a touch of graphite. It’s quite saline on the finish with a pinch of white pepper. All this is delivered at just 13.1% alcohol. Sadie reckons this grape variety is a long-term player, and I've no reason to disagree. Sublime.” 97 points, Neal Martin, Vinous

“I'm besotted with this grape," says Eben Sadie, and I'm finally beginning to understand his infatuation. Less tannic and rustic than it has been in the past, Treinspoor is structured, focused and intense with notes of tar, damson, plum skin and redcurrant and lots of ageing potential.” 95 points, Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023