Bold reds and lush sweet whites

A brilliant (read flattering) article in the UK's Daily Mail on the Swartland wine region. Olly Smith writes that "Many of (these) young stars cut their teeth in big-name wineries before striking out on their own, and with a progressive approach to social media and an emphasis on fun, theirs is an example other wine regions could learn from."

He also talks about a few of our wines:

1. AA Badenhorst Family Red Blend:
An outstanding red blend is AA Badenhorst Family Red 2007 (£29.95 at Harrods) - bold, harmonious and spicy, and an impressively restrained 13.5 per cent. Its creator Adi Badenhorst has an enviable bounce that's more than matched by his winemaking skill.

2.Sadie Family 2009 Columella

A sense of balance and more elegant levels of alcohol are what he's (Eben Sadie) aiming for, and his 2009 Columella is awesome, with freshness and a real sense of purity.

And we love these quotes:

Marc Kent: 'Bank robbers rob banks, because that's where the money is; we're getting more involved in the Swartland, because that's where the quality is!'

Eben Sadie: 'The Swartland isn't the most known area in South Africa, but it definitely has the most interesting soils. It's got no water, no irrigation and the highest number of old vineyards per capita in the country, and can produce incredibly high-quality fruit.'

Su Birch: 'New wine investment usually comes to Stellenbosch with restaurants and wineries. This is the opposite: younger people, not big capital, bringing back to life old vineyards and varieties which are either new or not usually treated with respect.'

Read more, click here:

The final programme is out of the box!

With the raging success of the inaugural Swartland Revolution organisers have made 250 tickets available for this year’s Revolution that will take place on the weekend of 11 – 12 November 2011.

With guest feedback that included praise such as “the best wine event that I have ever attended”; “like Woodstock... but without the sex”; “world class performance” and “a revolution against boring wines, against boring events; this was a revolt against the plain and the sad, the straight and the narrow; it was simply a benchmarking of joie de vivre” most of last year’s attendees have already booked their place at this year’s event.

The programme for 2011 has just been finalised and is bigger (and even better) than in 2010;

Three tastings of benchmark wines:

- Eight wines from the local Mullineux Cellar;

- Olivier Clape presenting six of his wines from The Northern Rhone in France

- and nine wines, all personal favourites selected by London based wine writer Jamie Goode, ze German Sommelier Jorg Pfutzner and local kenner Michael Fridjhon.

The food will again be “simply superb” as noted by 2010 revolutionary:

- Celeb chef Reuben Riffel and his team are ready to braai up a storm once more. If last year’s BBQ was any indication we can expect mountains of perfectly prepared meat, salads to stun and fire grilled veggies that will impress even the most hard core carnivores.

- For Saturday lunch the team at Bar Bar Black Sheep will again prepare a truly local feast to mesmerise guests.

The event will conclude with The Swartland Independent Street Party. At R50 per person this tasting is more accessible and open to the public. With local producers showcasing their natural wines it will attract a whole new crowd as we take over the Riebeek Main Street and party into the sunset.

Tickets sold via Webtickets.