2024 · Three Men in a Tub with a Rubber Duck

Black Elephant Vintners is a boutique producer based in Franschhoek, in South Africa’s Western Cape. Co-owned by Kevin Swart, Jacques Wentzel and Raymond Ndlovu, it is described as one of the few genuinely Black-owned wine estates in the Cape. Grapes are sourced from several regional vineyard sites, with each parcel processed separately. The team works with certified organic grapes, hand-picking, minimal chemical inputs, low yields and whole-bunch pressing. Jacques Wentzel combines winemaking and viticulture, while Swart oversees strategy and Ndlovu is the public face. Creative, small-scale production includes fermentation in 500 kg vessels and extended ageing in French oak; organic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are among the varieties noted.