SOUTH AFRICA

Place Above Progress

The outspoken and artistic Eben Sadie has earned his own reputation in the wine world and is described as everything from an enfant-terrible to a national treasure. Eben insists that “no man is an appellation” while he himself defines the largest region in South Africa, Swartland. The Swartland region has a defined and varied terroir influenced by the three mountains Paardeberg, Piquetberg, and Riebeek Mountain. The mountains give the soil unique pockets of granite, slate, sandstone, and quartz. For a long time, it was believed that the land was better suited for wheat and crops rather than vines. With such an interesting terroir, Eben believes in “place above progress” and therefore only uses traditional techniques and equipment. All grapes are harvested by hand, sorted, and pressed in a small traditional basket press or foot-stomped. Eben opposes the use of wood in winemaking, which leads him to primarily work with clay, concrete, and foudre with thick, old oak that preserves the freshness of the wine without giving it oak tones.