Some people describe Luddite Shiraz as Niels Verburg contained in a glass; Niels is six foot four and when he smiles appears to be beaming an embrace in your direction.

As a young winemaker traveling the world Niels confirmed his love for Shiraz when working a harvest in Australia but it was a winery in Chile that inspired his wine-making method, ‘It was as if I’d gone back 20 years, it was ramshackle, chaotic but they had great fruit and passion and I’d never seen that quality of wine.’

The Luddite vineyards lie on the eastern slopes of the Houw Hoek Mountains, 30km from the Atlantic Ocean, and fall within the Walker Bay Wine Ward. The morning sun washing over the cool South-eastern slopes encourages long ripening, which in turn creates spicy characteristics in the well-balanced Luddite Shiraz.

Luddite Wines

On the eastern slopes of the Houw Hoek Mountains, South Africa

To see a larger, clearer version of this image, just click on the picture.

Wines From Luddite Wines

Luddite Wines supplied by Newton Wines

Luddite Shiraz 2018

Luddite Shiraz 2014 available through Newton Wines

Some people describe Luddite Shiraz as Niels Verburg contained in a glass; Niels is six foot four and his smile is the embodiment of a warm embrace.

Dark purple vibrancy and fantastic dark colour to the edge of the glass. The nose is perfumed, fynbos, floral, all spice with liquorice, cloves and reddish fruit. The wine starts with gentle fruit with wild raspberry , spicy plum fruit, with cloves and liquorice on a long balanced finish. Beautifully balanced which needs decanting. Long finish. Only a few bottles left!

Grapes: Shiraz    Alcohol: 14.8%

Luddite Chenin Blanc 2021

Old un-irrigated vines producing yet another stunning Chenin Blanc. The Luddite Chenin is a real ‘push the boat out’ wine. Niels wanted to express the nature of Chenin Blanc in the Bot River area, and batches of free run juice and pressed juice were put in barrels without settling and allowed to ferment naturally. He also did a batch of fermentation on skins with regular punch downs.
Almond, citrus and caramel on the nose. The palate is full of orchard fruit and hints of melon. This wine needs another few years to fully come into its own but worth getting now as very little was made!

Grapes: Chenin Blanc    Alcohol: 12.9%
Luddite Chenin Blanc availbe through Newton Wines

Saboteur Red 2019 (Crown)

Saboteur Red 2019

The Saboteur is a wine which is bold but had the resultant spice of a cooler vintage. Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals were fermented in small batch open tanks. Fermentation temperatures were higher than normal due to a non-existent cooling plant (28°C). No skin contact was given after ferment and the wines were pressed into tank to undergo malolactic fermentation.
After malolactic fermentation all three varietals were kept separate in 100% New French oak. The wine remained in barrels for 24 months after which we blended the varietals to create the best possible wine.
A big robust but incredibly well balanced spicy red. Lots of good, dark, ripe, rich fruits at first backed up by black pepper, spice and a touch of earthiness and robust tannins. Definitely one of those big, red meat wines.
Bottled under crown-cap.

Grapes: 54% Shiraz,32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Mourvedre    Alcohol: 14.78%

Saboteur White 2021/22

“The nose shows a floral top note before citrus and white peach, spice and the vaguest hint of vanilla. The palate is rich and broad but beautifully balanced. Good weight and texture, nicely coated acidity and a pithy finish. This is immaculately crafted stuff whatever the name might imply.” From South Africa’s Wine. the nose has apricot and nectarines, citrus blossom, passion fruit and subtle toasty spice. Rounded and succulent in the mouth, with fresh, citrusy minerals with touch of tropical fruit in the finish.

Grapes: 77% Chenin Blanc,14% Viognier and 9% Blanc Fume (Sauvignon)    Alcohol: 12.9%
Saboteur White 2021, purchase through Newton Wines


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