Syrah on Sandstone 2022

Sometimes the most beautiful wines come from the most challenging places. Our Syrah on Sandstone is testament to this truth—grown on a mountainous site of broken sandstone that makes life incredibly tough for the vines. But it's precisely this merciless environment that creates something extraordinary.

The Story Behind the Wine

Picture a vineyard site where the very rocks seem to fight against cultivation. The sandstone blocks are windswept, harsh, and unforgiving—yet somehow our Syrah vines not only survive but thrive here. They may look strong and happy, but these blocks bear very little fruit, channelling all their energy into grapes of tremendous concentration. It's nature's own selection process at work.

This is terroir in its purest form: the harsh beauty of broken sandstone translated directly into the glass. The low vigour and minimal yields aren't a problem to solve—they're the secret to this wine's remarkable complexity and character.

In the Glass

The 2022 vintage delivers everything we love about this site. It's bright and focused, opening with notes of sour cherry, mulberry, and black olive on the nose, while fennel and musk add intrigue. The palate reveals the wine's true character—fuller and more substantial, with notes of crushed blueberry and dark chocolate that add real heft. The tannins are beautifully crafted, with a chalky and fine-grained texture that provides structure without overwhelming the fruit. This is all about freshness, fruit and precision—everything you want in a Syrah that knows where it comes from.

How We Make It

We treat this special fruit with the respect it deserves. Hand-picked into small crates and kept cool overnight before a gentle approach in the cellar. Approximately 40% of the crop is destemmed, with the remaining portion left as whole clusters to add complexity. Wild fermentation in small, open-top fermenters with extended post-fermentation maceration allows the wine to extract everything it needs from the skins. Eighteen months in 500L barrels, using second and third-fill French oak, lets the fruit shine while adding subtle complexity.

Artist Niël Jonker—renowned for his landscape panels painted on location—captured the spirit of this remarkable vineyard site for our label. Each bottle connects you directly to this unique corner of the Overberg.

Perfect for:Those special occasions when you want a wine with real character—try it with grilled lamb, venison, or rich mushroom dishes that can match its intensity and complexity.

Technical Details:
Alcohol: 14% vol | Residual Sugar: 2.3g/L | Total Acidity: 5.7g/L | pH: 3.62

*Release Date: April 2025*