M A R C H 2 0 1 5News from the Swartland!

NEW BUSINESS TIES FOR SWARTLAND WINERY

SWARTLAND AT BUITE-EKSPO

MEET ROBERT, OUR EUROPEAN SALES REPRESENTATIVE

PROWEIN AND OTHER EVENTS

Swartland Winery recently entered into a partnership with the biggest private security company in China, represented by Chinese businessman William Wu, who has purchased a 51% stake in the company. Wu, whose interests in the electronics business brought him to South Africa in the early 1980’s, has honed his expertise of the local wine industry since acquiring a shareholding in Paarl winery Veenwouden. According to Wu, a major consideration for the Swartland partnership was the fact that he has an existing market in China that is well-poised for the winery's products. “Swartland Winery is a great investment. It has access to good, well-farmed grapes and is one of the few South African wineries of this size where the majority of grapes planted are red varieties – which the Chinese market is most interested in,” he said.

Mr. Wu, will be appointed as new chairman of the executive board after due dilligence and will be directly involved in operations, said that Swartland Winery’s infrastructure, which includes bottling, warehousing and distribution, is expertly equipped for exporting to the Far East while continuing to service the local market. He added that the Swartland is emerging as a region that is attracting great interest from the global wine market, and that the developing Asian market in particular holds immense potential for the region's wines.

The new year brings with it the promise of a new vintage, and in the Swartland we are turning our attention to a rigorous harvest season. The harvest has started a few weeks earlier than usual, due to exceptionally warm conditions during the bud break phase in August which accelerated the vine's growth cycle. The dry and windy summer conditions we have experienced thus far have kept vineyard diseases at bay ensuring healthy grapes that are set to yield excellent fruit quality. This is exciting news for our team of winemakers, who are eager to get their hands dirty and produce many memorable wines from the 2015 vintage.

This year the Swartland again played host to KykNet's annual Buite-ekspo, which

took place at Môreson Farm outside Malmesbury over the past weekend. This

popular event is a showcase for the latest innovative outdoor equipment and

products, and offers an array of activities and entertainment for the entire family.

Swartland Winery added to the enjoyment of expo goers with a selection of our

award-winning wines, and launched a number of exciting new products. A

Potjiekos competition was also presented in which celebrities used Swartland

wines to conjure up the most delicious potjies – hearty outdoor cuisine fit for the

occasion. Despite a fierce wind the expo was very well attended and we

experienced outstanding sales. Visitors enthused about the well-organised event,

which provides a wonderful marketing platform for the Swartland and its wines.

The Swartland team will soon be heading abroad for Prowein

2015, taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany from 15-17 March, to

represent our brand at this influential international trade fair for

wine and spirits. Swartland Winery will also be attending various local wine events

throughout the year, so be sure to diarise the date of a show in your vicinity:

Robert McKindly is the friendly face of Swartland Winery in Europe, and recently visited the cellar with a team of new UK sales agents to develop our strategic plan for the UK market. Our objective for the global market is to establish the Swartland brand in every country, and 2015 will see a specific focus on the UK and US markets. Robert is strategically based in Bordeaux, France, widely regarded as one of the best wine regions in the world, which presents excellent marketing opportunities for Swartland and promotes our image as a premium wine producer. Robert, who has worked for the company since 2012, has already opened new markets for Swartland in Asia, the Middle East, Poland, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic and the UK. He is passionate about the brand and his energy, enthusiasm and integrity epitomises the Swartland vision.

Over the past few years, Swartland Winery has already established a commanding presence in various wine markets throughout Africa, Europe and Australasia, and this new partnership should pave the way to expand the global footprint of the Swartland brand even further.

RIEBEEK VALLEYOLIVE FESTIVAL

2 May 2015

SWARTLANDIN PARYS

15-17 May 2015

NAMIBIATOURISM EXPO

10-13 June 2015

SWARTLAND KIRSTENBOSCHMARKET DAY

10 October 2015

Tasting wines for Asia markets from the left Pieter Terblanche, William Wu, Morné le Roux, Annaline de Fontes and Marcel van der Walt.