Savage Wines

Region: Western Cape, South Africa
Year Founded: 2011
Proprietor: Duncan Savage
Winemaker: Duncan Savage
Size of property: Sourced from growers around the Western Cape.
Terroir: Grapes are meticulously sourced from a number of altitude and maritime vineyards around the Western Cape farmed by passionate South Africans. The small hand selected parcels of fruit receive much love and attention through the growing season with each vineyard’s unique terroir contributing in its own special way to the blend.
Annual Production: 2500 cases
Varieties Cultivated: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon

Savage Wines is a fairly new brand with the winemaker Duncan Savage having cut his teeth as the winemaker for the iconic South African white wine producer Cape Point Vineyards. After 14 vintages at Cape Point, Duncan is pursuing his dream of growing the family business into a world player in terms of artisanal hands on winegrowers.  Duncan introduced his own label in 2011 and his goal is to produce rock-solid classic and elegant wines. Through his time at Cape Point, Duncan has grown to understand maritime vineyards. This knowledge led him to source grapes for Savage from maritime and high altitude sites. Duncan is also inspired by many great older reds from South Africa and abroad that have stood the test of time with moderate alcohol and gentle extraction.

In its short history Savage has already made it to ‘2nd growth’ status in Tim Atkin MW’s South African report. Jaimie Goode has on 2 occasions rated the Savage Red in his top 10 wines of the year. Wine Spectator has just featured Savage as one of the leading South African producers in its June 2016 edition with numerous 93 point ratings over the years.

The 2012 Savage Red was awarded 95 points by Robert Parkers Wine Advocate and locally in South Africa the wines have been featured among the 5* rated wines of the John Platter Wine Guide.  Wines of elegance and restraint is the aim, the pursuit of incredible old vines and wines that reflect these viticultural treasures. In short, we make the kind of wine we like to drink at home!

•           Do you have any famous neighbours/next door appellation?
The Atlantic Ocean is one of our better known neighbours.
•           Can you provide some interesting anecdotes to highlight why this producer is special. These do not have to be wine related.
We work with fruit close to the cold Cape Atlantic, all work and no surf make Duncan a dull boy!