A rather rare, very unusual wine… Jordan Assyrtiko

IN 2019, the Jordan Estate in Stellenbosch Kloof was the first South African wine producer to plant Assyrtiko, a white, Greek grape variety indigenous to the island of Santorini… 2022 was the first vintage of Jordan Assyrtiko to be bottled, with quantities so tiny that for the first few years sales were limited to members of the Jordan Insiders Wine Club, and even then it wasn't long before the ‘sold out' sign went up. The mother block planted in 2019 was just 2.5ha in size, but plantings have since grown to 6.6ha. Production is still small relative to Jordan's Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, but it's increasing, and the 2025 vintage of their Assyrtiko was made available to the general public on an allocation basis.

The introduction of this Greek variety reflects the pioneering spirit of the Jordan family and their winemaking team. Other recent additions to the vineyards include Xinomavro, also from Greece, as well as Mencía from Spain and Portugal. These new stories also reflect Jordan's vision of moving towards a regenerative and sustainable future. Gary Jordan and the team have researched grape varieties best suited to the Stellenbosch terroir – vines that are both drought-resistant and capable of thriving in a changing climate. “Global warming is evident,” he says, “and we need to plan for this. Assyrtiko can cope with very little rainfall, yet still produces incredibly mineral-driven wines, now sought-after by top sommeliers around the world.”

JORDAN ASSYRTIKO 2025
WO Stellenbosch. Six-year-old vines on a windy, north-facing slope at an altitude of 200m and overlooking the sea, with False Bay 14km away. The grapes were hand-picked on 3 March 2025 and gently pressed using a small basket press. The juice was left to settle for two days prior to fermentation in stainless steel tanks and kept on the lees for four months before racking. Total production: 6144 bottles.
Alc 13 | RS 5.3 | TA 8.2 | pH 2.9
From Producer's Tasting Notes: Aromatic. Minerally rather than floral. Citrus peel with green, crunchy stone fruit and steely acidity. Flinty notes with an intense mouthfeel and a distinctive mineral salinity. Savoury finish.
R290pb ex-cellar – limited to six bottles pp.

Also in this series:
• AA Badenhorst Palomino
• Aliquid Novi Pinotage
• Ayama Vermentino
• Bosman Nero (d'Avola)
• Cederberg Bukettraube
• Cederberg Sauvignon Gris
• DaschBosch Avon Clairette Blanche
• Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner
• Klein Amoskuil Amos Block (Fino Sherry)
• Kloovenburg Lledoner Pelut
• Lemberg Hárslevelü
• Lowerland Tolbos Tannat
• Lozärn Carménère
• Newton Johnson Albariño
• Pilgrim Viura (Macabeo)
• Springfontein Chenel
• Stellenbosch Vineyards Ltd Release Therona