Hallgarten & Novum Wines has added new South African project Zwartwater to its portfolio, marking the brand’s first distribution in the UK.

The range, created by winemaker Stefan Johannes, is launching this month in both the premium on and off-trade, with Hallgarten securing exclusive distribution rights.

Zwartwater’s debut release comprises a white and a red blend from the 2024 vintage, produced using fruit sourced from the historic Lammershoek estate in Swartland. Some of the vineyard’s plantings date back to 1966, underlining the project’s focus on old-vine material and site expression.

Robert Mathias MW, buying director for South Africa at Hallgarten, said the addition reflects both the importer’s long-term commitment to the country and the continued momentum behind Swartland as a source of premium wines.

“This new project from Stefan Johannes, with a strong pedigree linked to the historic Lammershoek estate, is already beginning to make its name in the South African wine scene. This is an exciting addition to our portfolio… I am confident that Zwartwater is set to become one of the greats of Swartland,” he said.

Founded in 2024, Zwartwater represents a new chapter for Lammershoek following its acquisition by the Johannes family in 2022. The estate itself dates back to 1718 and has historically supplied fruit to a number of leading South African producers.

Today, the site is home to a wide range of old vines, including Chenin Blanc planted in 1966, Carignan from 1976, and what is claimed to be South Africa’s oldest Chardonnay and Hárslevelű blocks, planted in 1981 and 1980 respectively.

Johannes described Zwartwater as an evolving project centred on unlocking the full potential of the estate’s fruit.

“It is not a finished work… but a journey,” he said.

Sustainability also sits at the core of the operation, with regenerative farming practices in place across the estate. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-grown fruit and vinified on-site, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on provenance and quality control.

For Johannes, the UK launch represents a key milestone, with the market continuing to play a central role for premium South African wine.

He said: “The UK has long been one of the most important markets for South African wine. We are proud to enter this market with an early partner such as Hallgarten & Novum Wines… we believe Zwartwater has strong growth potential in this market and look forward to building the brand with intent over the long term.”