
Survivor Wines has launched a new Swartland Syrah. It’s a 2019 vintage boasting a beautiful label – a tribute to the feisty Nguni cow that stands proud on every bottle.
“Our single minded focus on crafting terroir specific wines that express their true sense of place and authenticity is the hallmark of our 100% Swartland Survivor Syrah,” says winemaker Ben Snyman, adding that the Swartland is best suited for wines with big, bold flavours.
This wine has intense flavours of spice, violets, and blackberries. On the palate these flavours follow through and finish with soft, round tannins and notes of oak.
Survivor Wines in the Vineyard
Low yielding vineyard blocks were hand-selected by Ben, the winemaker for their potential to add structure to this wine. Soils: red Oakleaf and Hutton. Cooling sea breezes keep temperatures lower in hot summer months.
Survivor Wines Winemaking Tecniques
Harvesting occurred at optimal ripeness when the grapes were between 25–26° Balling. Picking was done in the early morning hours to ensure the grapes arrived cool at the cellar. Dry ice and sulphur were used to protect the grapes from oxidation during transportation. Cold soaking was done for 24 hours before inoculation. Grapes remained on the skins for 24 hours to allow for colour extraction. The wine started with fermentation naturally and fermentation lasted for 10 days at 22 – 25°C. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in 300L medium toasted Vicard and Taransaud barrels, 20% of which was new and the rest second and third fill. The barrels comprised 95% French oak and 5% American oak to add a fruit and vanilla component. Barrel maturation lasted for 15 months whereby the wine was racked only once.
Food pairing ideas
- Barbecue chicken and griddled vegetables
- Spicy stir-fry pork with cabbage
- Roasted leg of lamb with olives and peppers
- Barbecue spare Ribs
“Made with exceptional fruit from low-yielding vineyards, Survivor Wines Swartland Syrah will wow you with its complexity and craftsmanship,” says Snyman who enjoys the wine with barbecue chicken, spicy stir-fry pork, leg of lamb or spare ribs on the braai.

Standing proud in its regal bottle sealed with a bold orange cap, there is nothing shy about this intrepid wine.
Buy Survivor Wines
Survivor Wines Syrah 2019 is available at a cellar door price of R200. For online purchases visit https://survivorwines.com/wine-shop/.