Hyacinth Wines

Experience the Charm of South Africa

About Us

Hyacinth Wines

Our mission is to create quality wines that are approachable, affordable, and sustainable.

The wines are crafted with passion and precision, ensuring that each bottle exhibits the unique microclimates of Stellenbosch and the Cape mountains.

hyacinth wines Chenin blanc & Pinotage bottle shots

Why Hyacinth wines?

HW is in a unique position to offer tremendous value for money with each bottle by removing intermediaries in both supply and distribution chains.  High quality wines made by ambitious and award winning teams that allow us to showcase the best of South Africa’s top grape varieties, which have gained recognition on the global stage.

Sustainable Farming

Our commitment to sustainability and regenerative viticulture ensures our wines are not only delicious but also low-impact.

Our Wine Style

The wines are always made with a light touch. None is ever obviously influenced by oak. We love wines which are more modern in style and allow the quality of the grape to shine through in your glass.

Climate and Terroir

Wellington and Stellenbosch, two of South Africa’s premier wine regions, benefit from a unique combination of climate, soil, and topography that contributes to the distinctive character of the wines produced there.

European warehouse

We own and control the distribution of our wines by having an EU warehouse based. This allows us to control our entire chain distribution and offer very competitive prices.
Winemaking Hyacinth wines Pinotage

Our Story

From creation to distribution

We control every step to bring you wines that are both affordable and exceptional.

Hyacinth Wines was born out of a vision to provide exceptional wines at good prices. We do this by controlling each step of the supply chain and reducing distribution intermediaries.

Over time (and years of study) we honed in on specific profiles and expressions of our favourite grape varieties: wines that are fresh and vibrant, have a good backbone of acidity, and a nice mouthfeel… wines that are lighter in alcohol and that allow the characteristics of the grape to shine through  … wines that make you think (but just a little bit), that pair well with your favourite foods (and not just white tablecloth dinners), wines that make you want to have another sip.

With a wine distribution company and our own warehouse in Europe, we saw an opportunity to enhance quality and affordability by creating our own wines. This approach allows us to deliver excellent wines made by respected winemakers directly to our customers, ensuring full control over quality, processes, and distribution.

Wines & Notes

Chenin blanc

Or 'Steen'

as it is sometimes sometimes called in SA

Hyacinth Chenin Blanc

Characterised by its vibrant acidity, complexity, and rich fruit flavours

It of course varies from year to year due to differing growing conditions, however we attempt to follow our philosophy to provide a wine that is dry, vibrant and versatile. Typical tasting notes include citrus and apple aromas with stone fruits like peach and apricot in the mouth, along with hints of floral undertones. The wine has a balanced minerality and a light smoothness from spending a bit of time on its lees, and has a pale lemon hue in the glass.

This makes it a wine for many occasions; it can be consumed on its own, but also pairs well with a variety of dishes from seafood to poultry and pasta. It was made to showcase the unique terroir and microclimate of the Stellenbosch wine region. focusing on sustainability and biodynamic practices. 

Hyacinth wine Chenin blanc south africa

Tasting Notes

Citrus, light tropical fruits, subtle oak.

Food Pairings

Light / hard cheeses, seafood, salads, cream based pastas.

Occasion Pairings

An everyday bottle that is just at home at the beach or on a picnic as it is accompanying your favourite foods or episode bingeing.

Pinotage

South Africa’s signature grape

created in 1924 as a cross of Cinsaut (once known as ‘Hermitage’) and Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

Red fruits, subtle earthiness with chocolate and spices.

Food Pairings

Thai is a very versatile red wine that pairs well with anything on the grill / BBQ, chilis, soups, roasted vegetables, your favourite pizza, or a good burger.

Occasion Pairings

BBQ gathering, a bottle with friends, a mid-week easy meal or a nicer planned dinner to impress.
Hyacinth wine Pinotage south africa

Hyacinth Pinotage

Reflects the Wellington / Limietberg region's unique terroir microclimates and Rüdger van Wyk's innovative and modern winemaking approach.

Expect vibrant red fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, complemented by subtle earthy notes and dry Italian spices. A medium-bodied wine with smooth and easy tannins, a nice balanced acidity, and light hints of chocolate that are so typical of the top cooler climate pinotage vineyard sites; this is definitely not one of the overly oaked and ‘heavy’ pinotages of old.

Future Releases:

Send us an email to be the first to know about our latest offerings & stay tuned for exciting new releases from Hyacinth Wines.

Microclimates & Winemaker

Regions

Our vineyards, with their unique microclimates, are the true secret behind the distinctive flavours and profile of Hyacinth Wines. 

The Wellington region, nestled in the Cape mountains, is renowned for its mountainous topography.. The unique microclimate of the Limietberg vineyards with significant elevation changes and granite based soils contribute to the complexity and depth of our modern Pinotage.

Stellenbosch has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The region benefits from cooling breezes from the nearby convergence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, which moderate the temperatures and create optimal conditions for grape growing, helping to preserve acidity and balance in the Chenin while maintaining moderate alcohol levels.

Winemaker

Rudger van Wyk, whose expertise and dedication brings Hyacinth Wines to life. Rudger is a prominent South African winemaker known for his work at a well-respected winery in the Stellenbosch region where he created several high-scoring wines from Tim Atkin and Wine Spectator.

Jancis Robinson has praised Rudger as one of South Africa’s rising stars in the winemaking world. She highlighted his impressive journey from being a protégé in the Cape Winemakers Guild to becoming a highly respected winemaker, noting that he “is going from strength to strength.” Robinson has referenced the quality and distinctiveness of his wines, remarking that they are “definitely worth looking out for.”

Rudger is known for his focus on harnessing the unique characteristics of the terroir in his wines. He emphasises minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the vineyard and grape’s natural qualities to shine through in the final product.

Our Approach

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do – from vineyard to bottle.

Practices:
At Hyacinth Wines, sustainability is at the heart of our winemaking process. We use environmentally friendly practices to ensure our vineyards thrive while protecting the planet.

Certifications:
We are proud of our certifications and accolades related to sustainable farming.
At Hyacinth Wines, sustainability is more than a practice; it’s a core value. Our vineyards are managed with care and respect for the environment, ensuring that we produce wines that are both delicious and low-impact.

Winemaking philosophy

Our low-intervention winemaking approach creates wines that are balanced, intriguing, and perfect for any occasion.

We specialise in cool climate style wines that are balanced and intriguing. Our wines are not overly jammy but have enough structure and concentration to be interesting without being heavy. This philosophy ensures our wines are versatile and enjoyable for various occasions.

Quality Control

Quality you can trust – every bottle of Hyacinth Wine is crafted with precision and care.

Processes:
Our rigorous quality control measures ensure that every bottle of Hyacinth Wines meets the highest standards. From vineyard to bottle, we oversee every step of the process.

Feedback Integration:
We listen to customer feedback and continuously improve our wines to meet and exceed expectations.

From vine to bottle, we maintain strict quality control measures to ensure every bottle of Hyacinth Wine meets our high standards. We believe in transparency and continuous improvement, always listening to feedback from our customers and partners.

Contact us

Have any inquiries? We’re happy to answer your questions and we’d love to hear from you.