Marras Swartland Red Blend

Marras Wines craft unpretentious, soulful wines that capture the rugged spirit of the Swartland, where ancient bush vines thrive in granite and schist soils, yielding grapes rich with character and story. Founded by Martin Marras Lamprecht, a South African native raised in the close-knit community of Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, our winery is driven by a passion for shared moments, honest flavours, and the joy of good company around a braai.

Marras graduated cum laude in B.Agric Cellar Technology from Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in 2010, where his love for winemaking was sparked amid family gatherings and a thirst for discovery. He further honed his craft in Frances Northern Rhne, where the misty valleys taught him the humility of letting the land lead, allowing varieties like Syrah, Grenache and Chenin Blanc to express their true essence.

On the Swartlands sun-drenched plains, Marras sought out exceptional parcels of old vines lean, mineral-driven Chenin Blanc from Paardebergs granite soils and silky Shiraz-Cinsault blends infused with smoke and spice from the Kasteelbergs schist. The Marras approach is hands-off and heartfelt: natural ferments and minimal intervention tequniques are used to honour the grapes origins, crafting vibrant ross with rooibos and citrus notes, bold reds bursting with plum and pepper, and textured whites that linger like a well-told story all made to be approachable and memorable.

Production

Known for its untamed beauty, diverse soils and dryland farming, the Swartland is a place where vines work hard and reward us with wines full of character. Here, the focus is on purity, texture and wines that sing of their origins. Paardeberg granite gives Chenin Blanc its tight, mineral elegance, while Kasteelberg schist yields structured, age-worthy wines with freshness and depth.

The Kasteelbergs schist soils layered, metamorphic and rich in mica create a dramatically different expression within the Swartland. Their rocky, nutrient-poor nature produces low yields and densely flavoured grapes, particularly Syrah, Mourvdre and Chenin Blanc.

The Influence of Soil on Style: Schist contributes a slate-like minerality, dark fruit depth, savoury spice and a silky tannin structure, giving the wines a textured, brooding elegance. Combined with the Kasteelbergs warm, dry climate and cooling evening breezes, the result is powerful, mineral-driven wines with unmistakable terroir identity.

Grapes were handpicked into small crates, and manually sorted at the winery. Fermentation was in concrete tank with 10% whole bunches. Aged 12 months in fourth use oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

This red blend is the mate who shows up late to the braai but somehow ends up running the playlist. Shiraz brings the pepper and swagger, Cinsault sneaks in the juicy charm, Grenache keeps it breezy, Mourvdre adds the quiet dont mess with me backbone. After months in big barrels they finally agree to play nice. Balanced enough to look clever, easy enough to drink like its water with better stories.

Perfect accompaniment to any BBQ.