The Sadie Family Swartland Old Vine Series 'T Voetpad 2023

The Sadie Family 2023 Swartland Old Vine Series 'T Voetpad is a blend of Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino, Chenin Blanc and Muscat of Alexandria. It claims to be the oldest field blend in South Africa. The wine is fruity and salty at the same time with lovely white wine tannins that give ample firmness and structure from the back. It matures in large oak casks. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed, and the juice settles over eight hours. It completes malolactic fermentation. The fruit comes from a 1.4-hectare vineyard on weathered sandstone soils. Eben Sadie says he farms this site "for objectives not for aesthetics." More words of wisdom: "The difference between a good farm and a bad farm is five days," he says of the mistakes that can occur if timing is off in a vineyard. This is a release of 2,400 bottles.

By Monica Larner June 2025