THE WINERY
Swartland Winery is situated about 70km north of Cape Town and 3km outside the town of Malmesbury on the road to Paarl.
In the heart of the Swartland the winery harvests its grapes from wine farms spread out on the hills around Malmesbury.
The vineyards benefit from the constant cool breezes that blow off the Atlantic Ocean, effectively sustaining the many microclimates, while the proximity to mountain ranges adds its own dimension to the physical character of the grape berry.
Over the past 70 years the winery has changed from a cooperative cellar into a private wine company with three business units that offer our clients an all-in-one wine experience.
OUR HISTORY
In 1948 Swartland Co-operative was established with 15 members in the local movie house. Not only was independence from KWV achieved but they now had a winery where they could deliver and press their own grapes. The first chairman of the newly formed co-operative donated 4 hectares of his own farm Doornkuil, to be used for developing the winery. Today, Swartland Winery produces approximately 2.0 million bottles of wine a year from grapes supplied by producers across an area of 3 600 hectares.
OUR TIMELINE
- The town of Malmesbury achieves municipal status in 1860
- In August of 1948 Swartland Winery is established with 15 members.
- Early 1949 the first harvest is pressed by the Bergrivier Co-operative Winery at Huguenot
- By 1950, the winery was up and running and membership augmented to 48 farmers, supplying 2 500 tons of grapes in the first year. The first building is constructed, as well as cement tanks pressing 1500 tons.
- 1972 yields a second place in the IWS in Budapest for the 1969 Pinotage. Today, the multi-awarded Swartland Pinotage is still a top seller.
- During 1977 Swartland becomes the first Co-op in South Africa to bottle, sell and promote the Swartland brand
- The Swartland manor house is built.
- Following the 1994 democratic elections in South Africa, Swartland commenced exporting to Europe.
- During 1996 the winery expands it facilities to provide for increasing export and local growth.
- The co-operative is converted to a public company in 2006.
- Swartland Winery celebrates its 60th anniversary with 65 member farmers in 2008
- 2019 is yet another iconic year for the winery celebrating the 70th harvest. It called for extensive rebranding, new product development, corporate identity, advertising, website and more to come.
