Download Marius Malan (Stellenbosch) Dissertation: Is the Swartland the new

Marius Malan (Stellenbosch)
Dissertation: Is the Swartland the new South African wine hub?
Marius Malan, also a B.ScAgric (Oenology) graduate from Stellenbosch University, has been farm
manager and winemaker at Slayley Winery since 2005 and is currently involved as winemaker for
Malan Wine Projects (trading as Malanot Wines), and founder and co-brew master for the Sir
Thomas Brewing Company.
Malan’s dissertation posed the question: Is the Swartland the new South African Wine Hub? – and
came to the conclusion it most certainly is, based on the unique climate of the area (very dry, little
rain), the cultivation methodology used, and the winemakers input, together with opinions and
facts obtained from key figures in the South African wine industry as well as some world-renowned
overseas wine personalities.
Over the past few years, the South African wine industry has seen increased conversation and
discussion, and also some controversy, around the Swartland wine region. Views on this area have
also changed dramatically. This dissertation addresses the facts concerning the Swartland as a wine
producing region in South Africa, and takes the opinions of wine personalities into account. In-depth
interviews were carried out with various key producers, farmers, winemakers and viticulturists in
the area, and also wine writers and wine officials in an effort to better understand this new ‘cult
wine’ producing area.
Various aspects pertaining to this area are addressed, including: the soil and climate, viticulture,
winemaking and marketing. The relatively newly formed Swartland Independent
Movement/Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) Organisation, which emerged from the
Swartland Revolution and its importance to the area, is also discussed.