Damascene — Swartland Syrah 2023

Overview

The Swartland Syrah 2023 is a vivid, contemporary expression of Mediterranean Syrah from one of South Africa’s most expressive regions. Harvested in a year that delivered ripe, healthy fruit with concentrated aromatics, the wine balances generosity of flavour with a precise mineral backbone. It presents an energetic mid-weight profile: bright fruit, saline tension and a textured yet refined tannic frame. The Damascene approach emphasizes site clarity and low-intervention viticulture to preserve varietal purity and terroir detail. Contains sulphites.

Wine History

This Syrah is born from a network of old, characteristic Swartland parcels that Damascene selects for concentration and personality. The 2023 vintage continued the region’s modern trajectory of quality-focused farming, delivering grapes with excellent ripeness and aromatic purity. Hand-harvested and sorted, small batches were vinified separately to retain the distinct signatures of each parcel before thoughtful blending. Over the seasons, the style has moved toward greater finesse and clarity while preserving the warm, Mediterranean character of the area.

Vineyard Philosophy

Vineyards sit on decomposed granite, slate and quartz-rich soils that provide drainage, heat retention and mineral nuance. Dry-farmed, often old-vine blocks confront hot days tempered by cooling winds, which preserve acidity and protect fruit health. Damascene applies minimal intervention: soil cover crops, manual canopy work, and careful yields to prioritise balance and complexity. The objective is consistent: let the microterroir drive flavour, not cellar techniques.

Cellar Approach

Winemaking is subtle and targeted to respect the natural intensity of Swartland Syrah. A portion of fruit is fermented whole-cluster to add spice and texture, while the remainder is destemmed and fermented as whole berries to refine tannins. Fermentations are spontaneous in concrete and stainless vessels with gentle cap management; malolactic conversion occurs naturally. The wine matures in large neutral barrels and foudres to harmonise structure without overt oak influence. Bottled unfined and minimally filtered to preserve vibrancy. Contains sulphites.

Tasting Notes

Colour: deep ruby with vivid purple rim, luminous and concentrated.
Nose: blackberries, violet, cracked black pepper and wild Mediterranean herbs with a graphite undertone.
Palate: concentrated yet lifted — black fruit, blood orange lift, stony mineral tension and fine, persistent tannins.

Pairing

Pairs superbly with roasted lamb, grilled beef, game birds, charred mushrooms and robust vegetarian dishes with warm spices and herbs. Also excellent with aged sheep’s cheese and rich ragùs. Contains sulphites.

Technical Sheet

• Varietal: 100% Syrah

• Region: Swartland (multiple parcels)

• Soils: decomposed granite, slate, quartzitic sandstones

• Farming: dry-farmed parcels, minimal intervention

• Fermentation: spontaneous; portion whole clusters; concrete & stainless vessels

• Aging: large neutral barrels and foudres

• Bottling: bottled unfined, minimally filtered

• Production: (variable by parcel)

• Alcohol: 13%

• Serving temp.: 15–16 °C

• Contains sulphites

Damascene Winery

Damascene Winery

History

The Damascene winery was founded in 2017 through the collaboration between winemaker Jean Smit and wine entrepreneur David Curl, marking a new chapter in South African fine wine. After key experiences at leading Cape estates, Smit envisioned a project capable of expressing the depth and purity of the country’s most remote and fascinating terroirs. The name “Damascene” refers to a moment of revelation that inspired him to create a winery both artisanal and visionary. From the start, the ambition was clear: to craft wines that embody the true identity of South African vineyards, allowing nature itself to be the primary storyteller.

Vineyard Philosophy

Damascene’s viticultural philosophy is rooted in an ongoing search for the purest and most untouched terroirs across the Western Cape, with parcels located in Stellenbosch, Swartland, the Ceres Plateau and other areas defined by intense microclimates and ancient soils. The vineyards are farmed with minimal-intervention methods, relying on natural forces such as constant winds, organic soil management, self-produced mulch and meticulous manual care. The team collaborates closely with local farmers—guardians of long-standing traditions—emphasizing biodiversity, sustainability and authenticity. Every plot is cultivated to reflect its geological uniqueness and natural balance.

Cellar Approach

In the cellar, Damascene follows a method combining precision and restraint. Grapes are hand-harvested, cooled and transferred by gravity into concrete fermenters to preserve their freshness and integrity. Fermentations occur spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, contributing to aromatic depth and purity. Reds mature in large Austrian oak foudres, while whites rest in smaller neutral vessels, always with the lightest possible touch. Sulphites are used sparingly, added only before bottling to maintain a transparent expression of each vineyard’s character. Contains sulphites.

Values and Vision

Damascene represents a philosophy of winemaking that goes beyond technique, turning each bottle into a portrait of South Africa’s landscapes. The team travels thousands of kilometres to select high-altitude sites, isolated parcels and soils with rare geological identities. A portion of production is dedicated to experimentation, exploring new styles and interpretations of traditional varieties. The winery’s identity is built on a contemporary, curious and environmentally respectful vision, blending strong stylistic personality with absolute fidelity to the origin of the grapes. The result is a range of vibrant, precise and expressive wines that stand among the most compelling in the new South African wine scene.