IT'S ARGUABLE THAT you can't really call this a wine route. Many of the top cellars operate quite independently, many require you to make an appointment in advance of visiting and some are not keen on dealing directly with the general public on a daily basis. One of the exceptions is AA Badenhorst, where they also offer lunch and places to stay – you still need to book but they're fairly accommodating. The Swartland is where some of South Africa's very best winemakers and viticulturists do what they do – Eben Sadie a legend among them, inclined to spend more time among the vines than in the cellar these days.
Chenin Blanc and Shiraz are the main standouts in these winelands, although there are also a number of niche varieties planted and these are being added to. See below for the top cellars and what they're best at. For the names of exactly which wines from the area have the best track records, see the Classification. The producers with best track records overall? David & Nadia, Leeuwenkuil, Mullineux, Rall and The Sadie Family. For all of the Top 100 in South Africa's Cellar Classification, click here.
SWARTLAND'S TOP CELLARS
AA Badenhorst
Strongest Suits: Chenin Blanc, Red Blend, White Blend
Babylon's Peak
Strongest Suit: Shiraz-led Blend
Blake's
Strongest Suit: Pinotage-led Blend
David & Nadia
Strongest Suits: Chenin Blanc, Red Blend
Leeuwenkuil
Strongest Suit: Shiraz
Meerhof
Strongest Suit: Straw Wine
Mullineux
Strongest Suits: Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Straw Wine, White Blend
Porseleinberg
Strongest Suit: Shiraz
Pulpit Rock
Strongest Suit: Pinotage-led Blend
Rall
Strongest Suits: Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Shiraz, White Blend
Riebeek Valley Wine Co
Strongest Suit: Shiraz
Sadie Family
Strongest Suits: Chenin Blanc, Cinsaut, Grenache, Red Blend, Semillon, White Blend
Swerwer
Strongest Suit: Red Blend
