Russo Wines Vineyard in Durbanville, Western Cape

Russo wines are a founding member of the Durbanville Boutique Wine Association, a group of wine enthusiasts who specialise in handmade wines. Don’t be fooled by some of the interesting places where members of the association have crafted wines such an old subterranean dam, a meat locker and horse stables, this region boasts premium wines made with high quality grapes.

Henk and Teresa Rossouw waved goodbye to the corporate world and transformed their small farm into a boutique wine estate small enough to be worked mostly by hand with the help of their five children after school. The family passionately produce one classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec which has more body and character than your typical French Bordeaux with a lower alcohol content than most local blends. Water retention in the soil is good that the land doesn’t need irrigation and minimal soil disturbance is practised.

Russo wines are dedicated to Pierre Rousseau from France who fled religious persecution, arrived in the Cape in 1688 and became one of the first winemakers here. Teresa says that Russo wine’s character reflects the personal involvement of the entire family and hope that as you taste the wine, you’ll enjoy it as much as they enjoy making it.

To view more wine estates in the region see Durbanville Wine Estates or see South Africa Wine Estates for a general overview and links to other wine producing regions.