Meet the Winemakers

Eben Sadie is the most influential South African winemaker of his generation. After having spent much of the 1990s working in wineries in Burgundy, Oregon, Italy, Austria and Germany, he returned to South Africa in 1999 and started his own label, Sadie Family Wines. His first wine, the Syrah-based Columella from the 2000 vintage, was awarded 5 stars in the Platter Guide. Palladius, Sadie’s idiosyncratic flagship white, received 5 stars in its third (2004) vintage. Following a period of supporting winemaking projects outside of South Africa, he now focuses only on the wines he makes from vineyards in the Swartland, Olifants River and Stellenbosch regions of the Western Cape.

Eben’s hard work, attention to detail, focus on organic farming methods and incredible knowledge of the Western Cape's vinous historical treasures have served as true inspiration for those who work alongside him as well as the entire global wine community.

His influence today is prophetic, and his wines are profound and extremely sought after. The flagship wines are Columella and Palladius, blends made from all the parcels and varieties he works with, while his Old Vine Series are a brilliant collection of single vineyard wines with evocative names such as Pofadder (Puffadder), Skerpioen (Scorpion), Soldaat (Soldier), T'Voetpad (Footpath), Treinspoor (Traintrack), Skurfberg (rugged mountains) and Kokerboom (Aloe tree).