Syrah and Shiraz: same grape, two personalities. In France’s Rhone Valley it’s Syrah – cool, peppery, savoury and structured. In Australia it’s Shiraz – rich, ripe and spice-forward. In South Africa, the best producers do both, and sometimes both at once. This case brings together six compelling Cape expressions: from a bold, peppery Stettyn Jar From Dirt built for the braai, to two cult Swartland Syrahs (one unlabelled, one Survivor’s 90-point Terroir from DB Rust), to Groenland’s two Platter’s 4.5-star Bottelary Hills classics. There’s also Maison Shiraz 2019 – 100% Shiraz aged a full year in French oak, with burnt cinnamon and marshmallow depth. Whether you lean Rhone or lean Hunter Valley, this case will make you question your preferences.

The Syrah Story

South Africa grows Syrah across a range of climatic conditions impossible to replicate in either France or Australia. From the warm, windswept Swartland – where old-vine bush Syrah produces wines of extraordinary concentration and spice – to the cooler granite slopes of the Bottelary Hills, to the coastal sites of the Cape Peninsula, each region gives the grape something different to say. The variety was planted seriously in the 1990s and has since become one of the most exciting cultivars in the country.

Today, South African Syrah is winning blind tastings against Northern Rhone icons and drawing comparisons with the great Cote-Rotie and Hermitage. The Swartland in particular has established itself as one of the world’s great Syrah regions – old bush vines, minimal intervention, and a cool-climate restraint that belies the dramatic heat of the region. Platter’s regularly awards 4.5 stars and 90-plus points to Cape Syrahs. This case is a tour of that range.

What’s in the Box

Maison Shiraz 2019

One hundred percent Shiraz, aged for a full year in French oak. The Maison Shiraz 2019 delivers deep colour, balanced tannins and rich notes of burnt cinnamon and marshmallow – a premium single-varietal statement with the complexity that only proper barrel ageing brings. Serious, structured and built to last.

Syrah Reserve 2020 – Swartland

An iconic Swartland producer, unlabelled for maximum value. This cult Syrah is available nowhere else at this price – a small, exclusive parcel made exclusively for Vinty. The wild terroir of the Swartland is in every sip: dark spice, earthy depth and the savoury complexity that only old-vine Swartland fruit can deliver.

Groenland Shiraz 2020

Platter’s 4.5 stars – a remarkable achievement for a wine at this price. From the Bottelary Hills, this is a classic Groenland Shiraz: dark fruit, black pepper and proper Cape spice. Groenland is one of the Cape’s most underrated estates, and the 4.5-star Platter’s rating reflects exactly what you’ll find in the glass.

Groenland Premium Syrah 2019

Platter’s 4.5 stars and 89 points – and the 2018 vintage scored 92. Concentrated dark fruit, cracked black pepper and serious French oak from one of Groenland’s flagship wines. The Premium Syrah is generous, full-bodied and structured, with the depth that rewards patience and a proper decant.

Stettyn Jar From Dirt Syrah 2023

The name says exactly what it is – from the dirt to the glass. Bold, peppery and built for the braai, the Jar From Dirt Syrah delivers dark fruit, cracked pepper and a touch of vanilla from time in oak. Full-bodied and characterful, this is Stettyn’s most uncompromising red: made to be opened outside, with smoke in the air and fire in the background.

Survivor Terroir Syrah 2023

Platter’s 90 points (2026 guide). A bold Swartland Syrah from the same DB Rust vineyards that gave Survivor its name – when a Nguni cow leapt from a livestock truck and survived in the vines, the brand was born. Made by Pierre Wahl (2016 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year), this is full-bodied, polished and built for serious red-wine moments: ripe blackberry, dark plum and violets on the nose, savoury olive tapenade and cracked pepper on the palate, and a long, warming finish of smoked herbs and dark chocolate. The Terroir line is Survivor’s flagship – French oak ageing, refined tannins, no shortcuts.

How They’re Made

Cape Syrah is hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, gently destemmed (or partially whole-bunch fermented for added structure and aromatic lift), and fermented in open or closed tanks with extended skin contact for tannin development and colour extraction. The best examples then spend 12-24 months in French oak – predominantly older barrels for the more elegant styles, with selective new oak on flagship wines. Minimal fining and filtration preserve texture and minerality. The result is a varietal expression rooted in place, not formula.

Food & Wine

• Maison Shiraz 2019: Slow-braised lamb with warm Moroccan spices. Also exceptional with boerewors and chakalaka.
• Syrah Reserve 2020 – Swartland: Game meat – springbok, kudu or ostrich fillet. Or a bold Karoo lamb stew.
• Groenland Shiraz 2020: Spiced pork belly or a rich beef tomato bredie. Brilliant on a winter’s evening.
• Groenland Premium Syrah 2019: Aged hard cheese – Manchego or mature Cheddar – or a proper beef fillet.
• Stettyn Jar From Dirt Syrah 2023: Made for the braai. Lamb chops, boerewors, a fire. That’s it.
• Survivor Terroir Syrah 2023: Slow-cooked oxtail or a rich beef shin potjie. Equally at home with a classic bobotie. Serve at 16-18C.

Awards & Recognition

• Groenland Shiraz 2020: Platter’s 4.5 stars
• Groenland Premium Syrah 2019: Platter’s 4.5 stars | 89 points | 2018 vintage: 92 points
• Survivor Terroir Syrah 2023: Platter’s 90 points (2026)
• Maison Shiraz 2019: 100% Shiraz | 12 months French oak

The Que Syrah Shiraz collection is a masterclass in one of South Africa’s most versatile grapes – six very different wines, six very different approaches, one extraordinary cultivar. From the peppery elegance of Swartland bush-vine Syrah to Stettyn’s braai-ready Jar From Dirt. Serve at 16-18C. Available at Vinty.