Colombo Family Wines

Stellenbosch, South Africa

The Swartland Revolution and ‘New Wave’ movement in South Africa heralded a reordering of the wine hegemony in the Cape. 10 years on, and change is afoot once again, with an exciting ‘next wave’ of independent producers emerging onto the local scene. Inspired by travels and stages abroad, they are now bringing new ideas and energy to an already vibrant landscape of styles and stories. Dan Colombo is one of the producers at the forefront of that ‘next wave’, a bright star making wines that feel wiser and more serious beyond his years.

As Dan’s project has grown, so have the cellar spaces he has used to accommodate the evolving project. First starting in Bot River, moving to a historic old cellar in the Paardeberg with MC Stander, to where he finds himself now, closer to his home and family in Stellenbosch. He began experimenting with small batches of fruit that he sourced from around the Cape in [ INSERT VINTAGE ], choosing to work with heritage grape varieties that play historical roles in the South African wine industry. Muscat, Colombard and Syrah constitute the bigger line up of varieties, with the new additions of Cinsault and Palomino which are both coming soon.

Dan’s most notable vintage was with Tom Lubbe of Matassa in the Roussillon, but also cites John Seccombe of Thorne and Daughters as a huge support and mentor, having shared cellar space with him in Bot River for many years. We’d probably liken his style to somewhere in the middle of these two iconic producers.

His philosophy is rooted in sustainable agriculture and low intervention winemaking, but crafts wines that are focused, precise and are undoubtedly future classics in the making.