The Journey to Becoming Duncan Savage
How does someone become one of South Africa’s most talked-about winemakers? For Duncan, it all started with a simple love for wine:
“I don’t come from a wine family… I just fell in love with wine and followed a passion. It’s been the most amazing journey.”
After 14 successful years at Cape Point Vineyards, Duncan took a bold leap of faith. Instead of owning vineyards, which is complex in South Africa due to land ownership laws, he built his brand by leasing land and sourcing the best grapes:
“You can’t buy one small parcel; you have to buy the whole property… If I want to own two hectares, I have to buy 450 hectares just to get that one parcel.”
This unconventional approach allowed him to explore diverse terroirs across the Western Cape, working with everything from maritime climates near the coast to high-altitude vineyards in the mountains. His wines reflect this diversity—elegant, vibrant, and distinctly South African.
Falling in Love with Wine
Duncan’s journey into wine began at home, sparked by curiosity and a shared passion with his mother:
“After drinking many bottles of very cheap wine with my mates… I watched my mom drinking these glasses of wine. One day, I asked to taste it… and it was so much better than what I was used to. That just drew me in.”
From those first sips, Duncan was hooked. What started as a curiosity quickly became an obsession, leading him to explore the world of wine and eventually make his mark as a winemaker.
“Once you go down that rabbit hole, it’s a very deep rabbit hole… and there’s no return.”
The Name Behind the Brand: Savage Wines
With a name like Duncan Savage, his brand seemed almost destined. But it wasn’t always so obvious:
“I was going to call my business Alexander Hill… Then I remembered, Duncan, you’ve got a bloody good surname in Savage… and you don’t own a Hill.”
However, the name is where the savagery ends. As Duncan explains, his wines are anything but wild:
“Our wines are lighter, more vibrant, fresher… You drink a bottle of Follow The Line, and you’re thirsty for more.”
His mission is clear: to craft wines that not only tell a South African story but also invite drinkers to keep exploring and savoring every glass.
South Africa’s Wine Revolution
Reflecting on South Africa’s complex history and its impact on the wine industry, Duncan shares his perspective:
“We had this thing called apartheid… and we had a lot of sanctions against us… But South African wine is on an incredible trajectory now. It’s fantastic.”
His commitment to showcasing the diverse terroirs of the Western Cape, from coastal vineyards to high-altitude slopes, is helping redefine South African wine on the global stage.
This episode is more than just a conversation about wine. It’s a journey of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of perfection. Duncan Savage’s story is one of inspiration, and his wines are a testament to his relentless drive to create something truly extraordinary.
Catch the full episode of Adventures of a Black Belt Sommelier with Hoyt Hill and Duncan Savage to explore the world of South African wine, the challenges of land ownership, and the magic that goes into every bottle of Savage Wines.
Listen to the full episode here.
