Intellego Wines
Swartland, South Africa
by Jurgen Guows
Jurgen's wines are as lively and exciting as the labels they adorn, produced from small pockets of organically farmed land in the Swartland appellation of South Africa since 2009. His true passion is in the vineyard, each bottle a celebration of the hard work of each season, showcasing the individual character of the blocks they hail from while the labels tell stories of the people and philosophies behind the wines.
Before settling in Swartland he worked in Priorat, Côte-Rotie and the Roussillon, eventually working with Craig Hawkins (Testalonga) at Lammershoek as he began the Intellego brand. All fruit comes from organic or biodynamic vineyards, a few of which he leases to work himself and believes in close relationships with the farmers whom he buys fruit from.
“It’s also not just about buying fruit from a grower; it’s about having good relationships and sharing ideas. Fruit prices have gone up quite a bit over the last few years, which is a good thing - because we always try to support the farmers.”
In the hot and dry Swartland, preserving any moisture in the soil is crucial. He makes his own composts and uses cover crops help to improve soil health and water retention, especially in the sandy soils where his Chenin bush vines lay. He states the fruit intensity is something else from these vines. Preserving that intensity along with freshness and vibrancy of fruit is top priority when it comes to the winery, really focusing on purity in the skin contact wines to show place and varietal characteristics. Elegant wines light on their feet and full of charisma prevail, with low alcohol and sulphur levels, though SO2 isn’t the enemy.
“I’m not dogmatic about sulphur. If I add some, it’s not for the worse.”
2020 Elementis (Skin Contact Chenin Blanc)
Dry farmed Chenin from old bush vines on oakleaf gravel. Destemmed and fermented on skins for 13 days before being pressed off into neutral puncheons for a ten month élevage.
Citrus oils, stone fruits, spice and flowers. Cracking acidity, some faint tannin finishes savoury and saline.
2020 The Story of Harry (74% Chenin/26% Chardonnay)
Fruit from slightly younger bush vine sites on decomposed granite and shale. Chenin was fermented on skins for a week then pressed to old foudres while the Chardy was whole-bunch pressed to stainless for a very long ferment before racking to old barriques for 5 months.
Pleasant salty texture, a richness from the Chardonnay. Lemon zest, peach with a herbal edge.
2020 The Sleeping Co-Pilot (Skin Contact Viognier)
Trellised vines are judiciously irrigated, being a finicky grape. 100% whole-bunches in open-top tank for a two-week skin ferment before ten months in 300 & 500L barrels.
A serious and densely fruited orange wine at just 11%. Citrus blossoms and apricots, spices, stonefruits and tea characters. Complex with lovely phenolic grip.
