David & Nadia
Summary
David and Nadia Sadie operate their small-scale winery in South Africa's Swartland region, focusing primarily on Chenin Blanc from old, dry-farmed bush vines grown across diverse soils including granite, shale, and iron-rich ferricrete. Their minimalist approach combines David's winemaking expertise with Nadia's soil science background, employing native yeasts and neutral vessels to create transparent expressions that have quickly established them as significant contributors to Swartland's viticultural renaissance.
Heritage & Leadership
David & Nadia was established in 2010 when husband-and-wife team David and Nadia Sadie began their winemaking venture in South Africa's Swartland region. David, who holds a degree in viticulture and oenology from Stellenbosch University, initially gained experience working at several wineries including a stint in New Zealand, before returning to South Africa to focus on the Swartland. Nadia, trained as a soil scientist, brings complementary expertise to their partnership, overseeing vineyard management and soil health.
In 2013, the couple acquired their home farm, Paardebosch, on the western slopes of the Paardeberg mountain. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in their development, providing them with a permanent base for their winemaking operations. David & Nadia are founding members of the Swartland Independent Producers, an association committed to promoting the distinct identity and terroir of the region through transparent winemaking practices.
Vineyards & Wines
David & Nadia work with a collection of old vineyards spread across the Swartland region within South Africa's Coastal Region. Their home farm, Paardebosch, encompasses 20 hectares of land, though only a portion is planted to vines. The vineyards they source from are primarily situated on the granite soils of the Paardeberg, shale and clay soils of the Malmesbury area, and the iron-rich ferricrete soils found throughout the region.
The couple focuses predominantly on Chenin Blanc, which constitutes approximately 70% of their production, with additional plantings of Grenache, Pinotage, Cinsault, Carignan, and Syrah. Many of the vineyards they work with contain bush vines ranging from 35 to 70 years in age, with some parcels dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. These low-yielding old vines are typically dry-farmed, relying solely on rainfall rather than irrigation.
Their wine portfolio includes single-vineyard bottlings that highlight specific sites, such as the Skaliekop and Hoë-Steen Chenin Blancs, as well as blended wines that showcase the broader regional character. The red wines include varietal Grenache and Pinotage, plus a red blend called Elpidios that combines traditional Swartland varieties.
Philosophy & Practice
David & Nadia adhere to a minimalist winemaking approach that emphasizes vineyard expression over cellar manipulation. In the vineyard, they practice sustainable farming methods, focusing on soil health and biodiversity. They harvest all grapes by hand, typically earlier than many of their neighbors to preserve natural acidity and freshness.
In the cellar, their white wines undergo whole-bunch pressing followed by spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in neutral vessels, primarily older French oak barrels. The red wines see varying degrees of whole-cluster fermentation depending on the variety and vintage conditions. All fermentations occur without commercial yeast additions, and the wines mature in neutral oak barrels to minimize wood influence.
The couple avoids fining and filters their wines minimally before bottling. Sulfur additions are kept to a minimum, with small amounts typically added only at pressing and before bottling. This approach reflects their commitment to transparency and authenticity in winemaking, allowing the distinctive characteristics of Swartland's diverse soils and old vines to be expressed in their wines.