The Producer

Stettyn Family Vineyards is one of the Breede River Valley’s most storied estates, with roots stretching back to 1714 when Governor Chavonnes of the Dutch East India Company granted the original farm to Free Burghers whose ancestors hailed from Stettin in former Prussia. Acquired by the Botha family in 1818, the estate has been lovingly farmed for eight generations. Today, under the guidance of winemaker JM Crafford and CEO Sarel Meyer, 438 hectares of vineyard thrive in the sheltered valley between Villiersdorp and Worcester. The original Cape Dutch homestead, dating to 1777, is now a National Monument — a fitting symbol of Stettyn’s deep commitment to heritage and quality. The estate’s Griffin emblem, borrowed from the coat of arms of the Polish city Szczecin, stands guard over every bottle.

Vintage & Terroir

The 2023 vintage marks the debut of the Jar From Dirt Syrah — a bold statement of what the Worcester terroir can coax from this noble grape. The vineyards sit nestled below the Hawequa Mountains, where warm days and cool evening breezes from the Breede River create ideal ripening conditions. Deep alluvial soils with good drainage push the vines to dig deep, concentrating flavour and lending structure to the fruit.

In the Cellar

The Syrah grapes were fermented for ten days on their skins in stainless steel tanks to extract maximum colour and fruit intensity. The wine was then aged for up to eighteen months in a combination of clay amphora, French oak and Hungarian oak barrels. This innovative three-vessel approach — the amphora preserving pure fruit expression, the French oak adding elegance, and the Hungarian oak contributing spice — gives the wine its distinctive layered character. The name Jar From Dirt is a nod to the amphora’s ancient clay origins.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep, inky purple with violet highlights at the rim.

Nose: A generous bouquet of ripe dark berries and plum, layered with cracked black pepper, vanilla and subtle earthy undertones from the amphora ageing.

Palate: Full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with concentrated blackberry and mulberry fruit, savoury spice and velvety tannins that carry through to a long, intriguing finish.

Finish: Lingering and complex, with dark chocolate and pepper trailing off elegantly.

Food Pairing

This is a braai wine through and through — pair it with slow-cooked lamb shoulder, beef shin potjie, or a classic bobotie. It also shines alongside aged Cheddar, venison biltong, or a rich mushroom risotto. Serve at 16–18°C for the best expression of fruit and spice.

Technical Details

Our Guarantee

Every case of Stettyn Jar From Dirt Syrah 2023 is backed by our 100% Happiness Assured! Guarantee. If you’re not completely delighted, get in touch and we’ll make it right — no fuss, no fine print, just great wine and happy customers.