As one of the Swartland’s leading grape growers, Leeuwenkuil has played an under-the-radar role in the so-called Swartland Revolution, supplying grapes to most of its revolutionaries who set up shop in the shadows of the Paardeberg and Kasteelberg, near the towns of Riebeek-Kasteel and Riebeek West. These intrepid winemakers sourced their grapes from “... low yielding, appropriate to locations, often bushvine, mainly dryland, largely unfashionable old vineyards with limited commercial viability to mainstream producers,” as so eloquently described by Michael Fridjhon, when opening the first Swartland Revolution Weekend in November 2010. From these emerged top quality Chenin blanc and Shiraz, and interesting Rhône-style blends, which have attracted the attention of international and national media as the up and coming wine area in the Cape Winelands. The four Leeuwenkuil wines are made with this vinously intrepid spirit in mind, and use the two Revolution flag bearers of Chenin blanc and Shiraz, each as a single varietal wine and each as the major cultivar in a blend. Leeuwenkuil, the historic farm in the Paardeberg area of the Swartland, has been chosen as the name for this exciting new range of wines because it symbolises the pioneering spirit of the Dreyer family, whose forefathers protected their cattle from the Cape Lion. Willie and Emma Dreyer and their five children live on the farm, in the immaculately restored manor house surrounded by the original werf. The classical and elegant white Leeuwenkuil label has a gold logo that craftily blends a lion’s head into a vine leaf. All the wines are bottled with screwcap closures. The Leeuwenkuil wine range comprises: Leeuwenkuil Chenin Blanc 2011: A refined and racy wine, redolent of green apple, granadilla and guava. Good minerality leads to a fresh finish. Approximate retail price - R40. Leeuwenkuil Shiraz 2011: A lightly oaked wine made in a lighter, fresher and fruit-forward style. The wine has opulent, bright fruit and a beautifully elegant palate with round tannins, layered with clove spice, ripe cherries and violets. Approximate retail price - R55. Leeuwenkuil Family Reserve White 2011: This Chenin blanc dominated blend shows peach, citrus and melon aromas with delicate floral and vanilla notes. It shows length on the palate with a lingering, fruity aftertaste. The wine is a blend of 50% Chenin blanc, 20% Roussanne, 16% Grenache blanc, 10% Clairette blanche and 4% Verdelho, the latter four varietals adding complexity and depth to the blend. Approximate retail price - R55. Leeuwenkuil Family Reserve Red 2011: A dark-centred wine with wild berries, liquorice and red fruit on the nose. Firm tannins are complemented by hints of black pepper and spice that lead to a lasting finish. The wine is a blend of 85% Shiraz, 6% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache and 4% Cinsaut, all yielding less than 6 tons per hectare. Approximate retail price - R60. Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards has entered into a marketing joint venture with Vinimark The Wine Company, South Africa’s largest independent specialist wine wholesaling company. This will see Leeuwenkuil wines widely distributed nationally to liquor stores, supermarkets and restaurants. Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards’ four farms, two in the Swartland and two in the Paarl district, one of which is in the Voor Paardeberg ward, collectively, are the largest single grape growers in the Coastal Region harvesting over 1 100 hectares a year that yield 9 000 tons. After breaking away from Perdeberg Winery in 2008, Leeuwenkuil set up their own (leased) cellar on Bottelary Road, near Stellenbosch. Experienced wine men, Winemaker Pieter Carstens and Managing Director Kobus de Kock, set up the Leeuwenkuil business operations, which they now manage with pragmatism, insight and integrity. For more information, contact Kobus on Tel: 021 865 2452 or via e-mail: kobus@leeuwenkuilfv.co.za or alternatively visit the website at www.leeuwenkuil.co.za.