Swartland Red Blend

Pairs with grilled meats and vegetables as well as tomato-based pasta dishes. This wine is vegan friendly.

Grapes for our 2022 Great Heart Swartland Red came from dry farmed bush vine (goblet) parcels in the Swartland, aged 16-40 years. We follow reasoned farming practices, including the use cover crops, mulch, beneficial insects, and home-made composts. The grapes were hand harvested in the morning between 14 January and 25 February 2022.

18 months in 3rd and 4th fill French oak 225L & 500L barrels and 5000L foudre.

Cool grapes were destemmed to tank and 50% crushed whole clusters of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon were added. Minimal SO2 was added, and no further additions were made. The must was initially pigeaged once a day. After about 4 days, fermentation began with indigenous yeasts, and the wine was further pigeaged once or twice a day. Temperatures were not allowed to exceed 28°C. After an extended maceration period, the wine was then drained and pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation. The different parcels were racked in Spring to blend the wine, which was then returned to large Foudre for 6 months before bottling.

Great Heart wines have a natural intensity, complexity, and a true sense of place. Each wine reflects the characteristics and potential of the vineyards in which they grow, and we are proud to practise sustainable farming all-round. In the pursuit to find a sustainable way to realise a mechanism for equity and meaningful transformation, Chris and Andrea Mullineux’s vision came to life in creating Great Heart Wines. The company is owned by the employees of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines and profits from sales of all Great Heart wines go directly to the staff who are the shareholders of the company. Why the Wagtail bird as the symbol of Great Heart? The African Wagtail is known in South African folklore for its acts of selflessness and bravery in assisting others and has been chosen as the symbol of Great Heart Wines. The artwork was designed by celebrated local artist Jaco Sieberhagen.