Savage

Duncan Savage found his calling in the wine world after a stint of surfing more than studying. After graduating from Rondebosch Boys’ High in 1995 and discovering his passion for winemaking, he pursued formal training at Elsenburg Agricultural College. His journey took him to Cape Point Vineyards, where he honed his skills for 14 years before launching his own venture, Savage Wines, in Cape Town's Salt River.

Duncan quickly gained a reputation for producing top-tier wines. With a focus on sourcing grapes from high-altitude and maritime vineyards across the Western Cape, Duncan has a keen eye for the unique characteristics that these terroirs bring. His understanding of granitic soils, developed during his years at Cape Point, allows him to create wines of purity and finesse—hallmarks of the Savage Wines brand.

"We have a style and vision that we don’t want to mess with. My most important relationships are with the growers. I invest in their blocks. To keep this industry sustainable you have to pay premium for grapes—farming is tough and growers need to be able to sustain these old parcels that crop almost nothing."
- Duncan Savage

Duncan's dedication to producing elegant and classic wines is evident in his meticulous selection of vineyard sites and his approach to winemaking. He leases vineyards and works closely with passionate South African growers to source the best grapes. His methods include minimal intervention, whole bunch fermentation, and the use of old wood and amphorae, striving to let the terroir shine through in every bottle.

Savage Wines offers a variety of cultivars, including Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, and Touriga Nacional. Each wine reflects Duncan's commitment to elegance and balance, inspired by classic older reds from South Africa and abroad that have stood the test of time.

"At the start of every harvest, I want the wines to be a certain way in my head, but it never works out that way. It makes it interesting to be totally at the mercy of the environment. What you see is what you get. If you do things simply, and lay yourself bare, the purity you achieve is worth the chance."
- Duncan Savage

With a history of producing Platter five-star wines and receiving critical acclaim from his early vintages, Duncan Savage continues to be a dynamic force in South African winemaking. His philosophy of doing "as little as possible, as much as you can" ensures that Savage Wines remains a name to watch, producing wines capable of long ageing.