Howzit, wine friends! At Vinty, we’re all about the stories behind every bottle—and today’s is a good one. Meet André Bruyns: the hands-on winemaker whose journey from barefoot harvests in the Northern Rhône to cellar days at Rijk’s Wine Estate and Domaine Pierre Gaillard has shaped his softly confident style. After five years honing his craft under David & Nadia Sadie, André launched City on a Hill in 2015, coaxing pure expression from Paardeberg and Swartland old-vine sites.
“André Bruyns … is now pretty well established as a member of the Swartland New Wave.”
“It’s the liquid equivalent of an enigma wrapped in a mystery that’s wrapped in a conundrum.”
“André Bruyns has created a true work of vinous art from a vineyard planted in 1998.”
- We asked Andre a few questions to get a better understanding of his approach to his wines.
- If your latest bottle had a personality, what quirky habit would it have?
- It’d be a barefoot farmer—always wandering the rows with a sun-kissed grin and soil on his boots.
- What song would you slap on repeat in the cellar?
- U2’s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”… with a sprinkling of boeremusiek for good measure.
- If you could bottle one moment in wine history, which era would it be?
- Harvest time in the Northern Rhône—when every grape tasted like pure discovery.
- Which animal best captures your wine’s character?
- An eagle—bold, graceful, and soaring high above the everyday.
- What wine-world trend are you secretly glad to skip?
- The social-media circus. Give me fresh air, fertile soil, and a quiet barrel room any day.
- Pizza vs. Wine: What’s your ultimate off-clock comfort combo?
- A Regina pizza topped with olives, paired with a playful Grenache.
- Any pre-ferment rituals to surprise a tasting panel?
- Not much—just good R&R. A well-earned holiday does wonders for the soul.
- What’s the “dream wine” you haven’t made yet?
- That one’s top secret—some mysteries are best uncorked later.
- Stranded with only one grape variety—what’s your desert-island pour?
- Chenin Blanc—honest, versatile, and up for any challenge.
- Share one winemaker trick few folks ever hear about.
- Climb into the red-wine tank and stomp the grapes daily. It’s the original hands-on approach.
- If your wine were a mythical beast, which would it be?
- A phoenix—reborn with each pour.
- Ever been blindsided at a tasting?
- Absolutely. Friends distracting me mid-explanation proves that wine’s as much about the company as the chemistry.
- What’s the oddest feedback from a wine newbie?
- “Love the wine, but the label’s not my style.” Never a dull moment!
- If you had a magical winemaking power, what would you wish for?
- Smooth fermentations, every single time.
- Which wine would star in the story of your alter ego?
- Cinsault—light, intriguing, and full of surprises.
Ready to pour yourself into André’s story?
