Spice Route is a joint venture by Fairview’s Charles Back, Jabulani Ntshangase, John Platter and Gyles Webb.
Region: Swartland
Winemaker: Charl du Plessis, with Abraham de Klerk (both since Dec. 2001)
Viticulturists: Charl du Plessis and Abraham de Klerk, advised by Andrew Teubes
In a sentimental homage to the spice traders who were so influential in the history and culture of the Cape of Good Hope, the Spice Route Wine Company has created an exclusive range of handcrafted wines.
During the development of the range, owner Charles Back decided that meticulous attention to detail should be the hallmark of the Spice Route Flagship range, which should also express the unique terroir of the Swartland.
The Spice Route Flagship range was first harvested in 1998 and consisted of a Merlot, Syrah and Pinotage.
All the grapes for the range are harvested from vines growing within a 10km radius around the Swartland town of Malmesbury.
"Although the creation of the Spice Route range is laborious and costly, we strived to put the effort into the winemaking process to do it properly.
"The wide acclaim the range is receiving bears testament to the fact that these subtle nuances are important," says winemaker Charl du Plessis.