2025 marks the 13th release from Savage Wines. A release focussed on the 2024 vintage with one 2023 in the form of Savage Red from a cool classic vintage. We continue to operate from our city home in Salt River developing and farming parcels of vines in various locations around the Western Cape.

2024 was a good Cape vintage, warmer and earlier than usual. The growing season started wet and cold however with flooding due to a cut off low in September. We were very badly affected with a landslide in our new Polkadraai development, Syrah on a 40 degree southerly slope. After lots of stress and a few big yellow machines all was however back on track. The first wine from this incredible site was made in 2025!

We had a lot of heat in January which accelerated ripening. What started as a wet season quickly became dry and vine stress was a real factor. Yields were in general down but all the effort we put into our vines in terms of mulching especially, proved to make the difference. We picked earlier than usual in most instances, grapes were healthy and fermentations ran smoothly. Acids are slightly lower than usual across the board but our Savage style remains taught and fresh. The wines have exceptional structure with robust tannins; we anticipate our 2024’s aging very well.

A big thanks to the team at Savage and in particular long time assistant winemaker Banele Vakele who will be leaving us to grow his own brand Tembela. We wish Banele all the best and will keep you posted on the new venture he and I are embarking on as partners.