Columella is the crown jewel of Sadie Family Wines, a blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre (with small amounts of Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, and Tinta Barocca in some vintages) sourced from low-yielding, dry-farmed bush vines across the Swartland. Named after the Roman agricultural writer Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, the wine reflects Eben Sadie’s obsession with soil health, natural balance, and vineyard expression.
The 2022 vintage continues the trend toward finesse over force: it’s fragrant and tightly wound, with notes of red berries, violets, black olive, and wild herbs. There’s a savory core wrapped in dusty tannins and bright, mineral-driven acidity that speaks to both terroir and restraint. The texture is fine, the alcohol modest, and the whole thing hums with clarity and lift.
Columella has long transcended its regional origins—it’s a wine that comfortably sits alongside the best of the Rhône, Spain, or California, but speaks in a distinctly South African accent. It’s built to age, but it’s also a thrill to taste young with air.
