Mullineux

Mullineux represents a defining chapter in South African winemaking. Chris and Andrea Mullineux set out in 2007 with a shared conviction that the ancient granite and schist soils of the Swartland had the potential to produce world-class wine. Andrea, originally from San Francisco, obtained her Viticulture and Oenology degree from UC-Davis and honed her craft in Napa Valley and Stellenbosch before working in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where she met South African-born Chris at a wine festival in Champagne. After working vintages in France, South Africa, and California, the couple chose to settle in Swartland, establishing the winery on Roundstone Farm near Riebeek-Kasteel. Within a short time the estate became one of South Africa's most celebrated wine brands. In 2013, the Mullineuxs partnered with entrepreneur Analjit Singh to form Mullineux and Leeu Family Wines and founded a second winery, Leeu Passant, on Singh's estate in Franschhoek.

• Established 2007; Roundstone Farm located in the Riebeeksrivier-Valley ward, Swartland district, on the southwestern slopes of Kasteelberg mountain
• First vintage released 2008; Andrea and Chris worked prior harvests across France, South Africa, and California before committing to Swartland
• 2013: partnership with Analjit Singh formed Mullineux and Leeu Family Wines, adding Leeu Passant winery in Franschhoek to the portfolio
• The name Mullineux derives from the French word for 'watermill,' reflected in the millstone emblem on the label, linking the estate to the Swartland's identity as South Africa's wheat-growing heartland

Mullineux transformed the global perception of Swartland from a region associated with bulk production into a source of serious, terroir-expressive fine wine. The winery has been awarded Platter's South African Winery of the Year five times (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2023), the most by any producer in the guide's history, and accumulated over 50 five-star Platter's ratings by 2023. In 2016, Andrea Mullineux was named Wine Enthusiast's International Winemaker of the Year, the first South African to receive the honour and only the third woman in the award's 17-year history. That same year, Chris and Andrea were jointly named Tim Atkin's South African Winemakers of the Year. Their wines have inspired a generation of producers to relocate to the region and helped catalyse the broader Swartland Revolution.

• 5x Platter's South African Winery of the Year (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023); over 50 five-star ratings from Platter's by 2023
• Andrea Mullineux: 2016 Wine Enthusiast International Winemaker of the Year; first South African and third woman in 17 years to win
• 2016: Chris and Andrea Mullineux named Tim Atkin's South African Winemakers of the Year
• Wines consistently receive 90-plus point scores from Wine Advocate, Decanter, Vinous, and James Suckling across multiple vintages

Mullineux sources fruit from multiple parcels across Swartland's varied geology, with the three defining soil types being decomposed granite (Paardeberg), stony shale and schist (Kasteelberg), and iron-rich red soils (west of Malmesbury). Roundstone Farm, on the southwestern slopes of Kasteelberg, is the estate's home vineyard. Vines for the Signature Syrah range from 22 to 34 years old; some single-terroir Chenin Blanc parcels reach beyond 47 years old, and the oldest Old Vines White parcels are up to 72 years in age. Chris oversees all viticulture, employing cover crops, composting, minimal tillage, and the integration of native fynbos vegetation to support biodiversity and eliminate the need for chemical pesticides. Dry-farmed bush vines are the norm, concentrating flavour and maintaining low yields. In 2025, Roundstone received full Ecocert Organic Certification, with Regenerative Organic Certification to follow.

• Three key soil types: decomposed granite (Paardeberg), stony shale and schist (Kasteelberg, including Roundstone Farm), iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury
• Vine age ranges from approximately 22-34 years for Signature Syrah parcels to 47-72 years for Chenin Blanc vineyards
• Old Vines White sourced from eight low-yielding parcels (4-6 tonnes per hectare); dry-farmed bush vines throughout
• Full Ecocert Organic Certification achieved in 2025; pursuing South Africa's first Regenerative Organic Certification; native fynbos planted between rows reduces pest pressure

The Mullineux ethos centres on making wines as naturally as possible while prioritising quality above dogma. Whites are whole-bunch pressed, settled overnight, and fermented with indigenous yeasts in older French oak barrels (500L) and large-format foudres (2000L), with no batonnage. Minimal sulfur is added only as needed for stability; no other additions are made at any stage. For the Signature Syrah, 90 percent of fruit is whole-bunch fermented in open-top vessels, then aged for 20 months in French oak before bottling unfined and unfiltered. Single-terroir Syrahs undergo an identical winemaking protocol so that soil differences, not cellar intervention, drive the distinctions between bottlings. The Straw Wine is made from old-vine Chenin Blanc air-dried for three to four weeks, then slowly pressed and fermented in old barrels. The Olerasay is a fractional blend built from barrels dating back to the inaugural 2008 vintage.

• Whites: whole-bunch pressed, indigenous yeast fermentation, 11 months in 3rd-5th fill 500L French oak barrels and new 2000L foudre; no batonnage, bottled unfiltered
• Signature Syrah: 90% whole-bunch fermented, 20 months in French oak, bottled unfiltered and unfined
• Single-terroir wines are harvested at identical ripeness and vinified identically so only soil type drives the differences between bottlings
• Straw Wine: Chenin Blanc air-dried 3-4 weeks, slowly pressed and fermented in old barrels; Olerasay is a solera-style fractional blend from vintages 2008 onwards

Mullineux's portfolio is organised into four ranges. The Kloof Street range offers accessible old-vine Chenin Blanc and a Rhone-style red blend, sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards across the Swartland. The Signature range includes the Old Vines White (68% Chenin Blanc with Clairette Blanche, Semillon Gris, Grenache Blanc, and Viognier from vineyards up to 72 years old), the Signature Syrah (a six-parcel blend of 22-34-year-old vines from granite, schist, and iron soils), and two sweet wines: the Straw Wine and the ultra-rare Olerasay, a fractional blend from vintages 2008 through 2024. The Single Terroir range produces separate Syrahs and Chenin Blancs from three named parcels representing distinct soil types: Granite 'Jakkalsfontein' (24-year-old dry-farmed bush vines on Paardeberg decomposed granite, typically the most perfumed and floral expression), Schist 'Roundstone' (planted 2000 at Roundstone Farm on Kasteelberg, typically the most structured and tightly wound), and Iron 'Kasteelsig' (Koffieklip clay-gravel soils near Malmesbury, typically the plushest and broadest). The Single Terroir wines are vinified identically (100% whole-cluster, foot-stomped in open-top 500L French oak with indigenous yeasts, 4 weeks skin contact, 12 months in barrel then 9 months in second-fill foudre, bottled unfined and unfiltered after 9-10 months bottle aging) to isolate soil character. The newest wine, Roundstone Blanc, blends drought-resistant varieties including Macabeu, Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, and Assyrtiko from the home farm.

• Kloof Street: value-tier second label; Old Vine Chenin Blanc from 30-40+ year-old vines on granite and schist; Swartland Rouge is Syrah-based with Grenache, Cinsault, and Tinta Barroca
• Old Vines White: 68% Chenin Blanc plus four Mediterranean varieties from up to 72-year-old vines; 11 months in old French oak; approximately 37,850 bottles produced (2024 vintage)
• Single Terroir Syrahs: Granite (floral, elegant, nervy acidity), Schist (dense, structured, fine-grained tannins), Iron (most opulent and full-bodied); all vinified identically to isolate soil character
• Olerasay Straw Wine: fractional solera blend from vintages 2008-2024, produced in tiny quantities; considered among the world's great sweet wines

Mullineux Syrahs reflect a northern Rhone sensibility: mineral-driven and fine-grained rather than opulent. The Signature Syrah shows dark cherry, black pepper, olive, and violet with silky tannins and bright natural acidity. Granite expressions are the most perfumed and elegant, with floral lift, red berry fruit, and a tight, fresh structure. Schist bottlings deliver density, structured tannins, and a darker fruit profile with fynbos and peppercorn notes. Iron wines are the most full-bodied, with scorched earth, tapenade, and generous mid-palate weight. The Old Vines White combines stone fruit, citrus oil, hazelnut, and saline minerality from barrel fermentation on lees. All wines have excellent aging potential. The Straw Wine delivers honey, dried apricot, marmalade, and marzipan balanced by vibrant acidity.