Andy’s Insights into the Development of Sadie Family Wines
The Beginning of a Significant Partnership
In 1999, I met Eben Sadie in Swartland on the Spice Route, during my time in Cape Town. Eben had started his career in 1997 at Spice Route, under the leadership of Charles Back, a versatile entrepreneur who also owns Fairview. Together, they designed the new winery at the Klein Amoskuil farm and discovered the enormous potential of the old bush vines. I imported the first wines from Spice Route, vintage 1998, four years after KapWeine was founded in Switzerland.
The Founding of Sadie Family Wines
When Eben Sadie, together with his brother and sister, bottled the first vintage of Columella 2000 under the Sadie Family label in 1999, I was there from the beginning. With a modest starting capital of 9,000 ZAR (about 2,700 CHF at the time), they produced 14 barrels, which amounted to about 4,000 bottles. Some of these bottles from 2000 are still stored in my matured wine cellar at KapWeine, where I also keep other rare vintages to offer them aged later.
Wine Collection
With the 2002 vintage, the wine collection was expanded with the white Palladius, and the Signature Series with the two wines was born. Ten years after the first Columella, Eben created the Old Vine Series in 2009, which now includes nine more wines. Eben Sadie has been an outstanding figure in South African viticulture for over 25 years. The multitude of awards and positive reviews speak for themselves – every bottle is a masterpiece.
Sadie Family wines are highly sought after worldwide and are usually sold out shortly after release. We receive only limited quantities of these exclusive wines and offer you the new vintages for a limited time at the En Primeur preferential price. The wines are expected to be ready for delivery in mid-November 2024.
Significant Changes at Sadie Family Wines
For over 10 years, Paul Jordaan shaped the vinification of the wines, while Eben increasingly focused on working in the vineyards. Now a change is imminent: Paul Jordaan is leaving the winery to dedicate himself entirely to his own project, the Paulus & Co. label. This label, which Paul founded together with Pauline Roux, represents the new generation of Swartland wines, with elegant Chenin Blancs made from old bush vines.
Eben Sadie, Paul Jordaan and Markus Sadie.
The Sons Follow in Their Footsteps
But while Paul takes on new challenges, the focus returns to what truly defines Sadie Family Wines: family. Eben Sadie’s sons, Markus and Xander, are ready to follow in their father’s footsteps. Both have gained valuable experience in leading wineries worldwide and are now enthusiastically returning to the Paardeberg farm. Markus already feels at home in the new, state-of-the-art cellar, which celebrated its premiere this year, and worked on the 2024 harvest. Xander, who is currently still working with the very creative winemaker Blank Bottle, will also soon join the family.
The New Winery: An Architectural Masterpiece
The new cellar at Rotsvas Farm is an architectural masterpiece and reflects the dedication and pioneering spirit of the Sadie family. The production area is modern and functional, while warm wooden elements and thoughtful design create an inviting atmosphere in the rest of the building. Sustainability is a top priority for the Sadie Family in all areas: a modern water treatment plant and a solar system ensure environmentally friendly production. The new cellar is a place that harmonizes nature, tradition, and innovation, perfect for the next generation of Sadie Family Wines.
A Look into the Future
Eben Sadie has always emphasized that building a great winery is a task that extends beyond one generation. Now that his sons are ready to contribute, he can look to the future with confidence. His focus will increasingly be on the people on the farm and their development, while he continues to nurture the vineyards and accompany the transition to the next generation. The story of Sadie Family Wines will therefore not only continue but will be enriched by another chapter characterized by family cohesion, passion, and the pursuit of excellence.
It is an honor for me to have walked this shared path with such a special person as Eben Sadie and to continue to accompany him!
Your Andy Zimmermann
