Swartland and Franschhoek partnership making Syrah, Chenin Blanc and Straw Wine with indigenous yeasts and little new wood.
The producer
Mullineux is based at Roundstone in the Riebeeksrivier Valley ward of Swartland, while Leeu Passant Winery is on Leeu Estates in Franschhoek. Chris and Andrea Mullineux established the Mullineux winery in 2007, and the partnership includes Analjit Singh. The range includes Syrah, a Chenin Blanc based white blend, air dried Chenin Blanc Straw Wine, and single terroir Syrah and Chenin Blanc wines. Indigenous yeasts, little new wood and low intervention shape the cellar. Roundstone vineyards are Regenerative Organic Certified.
Known for
Swartland Syrah and Chenin Blanc
Notable facts
The vineyards avoid weed killers, insecticides and systemic fungicides.
Roundstone uses cover crops, mulches, composts and planted Fynbos corridors.
Roundstone's vineyards are Regenerative Organic Certified.
Leeu Passant Winery is on Leeu Estates in Franschhoek.
Leeu Passant is associated with the Old Vine Project.
The story
The 2013 Expansion
In 2013, Chris and Andrea Mullineux expanded their fine wine venture with Analjit Singh. That expansion led to Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, a partnership between the Mullineuxs and Singh. The business brought together the Mullineux winery and Leeu Passant Winery. Mullineux is based at Roundstone in the Riebeeksrivier Valley ward of Swartland, while Leeu Passant Winery is on Leeu Estates in Franschhoek. The combined name identifies the partnership, while Mullineux and Leeu Passant identify the two wineries by place.
From the atlas
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
A Swartland and Franschhoek partnership making Syrah, Chenin Blanc and Straw Wine with indigenous yeasts and little new wood.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Swartland and Franschhoek
Mullineux base
Roundstone, Riebeeksrivier Valley ward, Swartland
Leeu Passant base
Leeu Estates, Franschhoek
Main grapes
Syrah and Chenin Blanc
Range
Syrah, Chenin Blanc based white blend, Straw Wine, single terroir Syrah and Chenin Blanc wines
Cellar
Indigenous yeasts, little new wood and low intervention
The Producer
Mullineux is based at Roundstone in the Riebeeksrivier Valley ward of Swartland. Chris and Andrea Mullineux established the winery in 2007. Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines is the partnership between Chris and Andrea Mullineux and Analjit Singh.
Leeu Passant Winery is on Leeu Estates in Franschhoek. The combined business therefore contains a Swartland winery and a Franschhoek winery, with each retaining its own name and place.
Place
Swartland is the setting for Mullineux at Roundstone in the Riebeeksrivier Valley ward. Franschhoek is the setting for Leeu Passant Winery on Leeu Estates. Mullineux carries Syrah, Chenin Blanc and Straw Wine, while Leeu Passant is associated with the Old Vine Project.
Wines
The Mullineux range includes Syrah, a Chenin Blanc based white blend, Straw Wine made from air dried Chenin Blanc, and single terroir Syrah and Chenin Blanc wines. The red bottles named here are Mullineux Granite Syrah 2021, Mullineux Schist Syrah 2021, Mullineux Iron Syrah 2021 and Mullineux Syrah 2021.
Mullineux Schist Syrah 2021 comes from the Roundstone vineyard on the Kasteelberg. It is typically made with whole bunch fermentation and matured for 12 to 15 months in 500 litre barrels, half of them new. Whole bunch fermentation keeps the stems with the grapes and can add perfume, spice and tannin. The wine shows potpourri, lavender, fynbos, red and black berries, olive, clove and pepper, followed by pure fruit, fresh acidity and powdery tannins.
Final Word
Chris and Andrea Mullineux's Swartland winery and the Franschhoek Leeu Passant Winery sit within a partnership with Analjit Singh. The range moves from Syrah and Chenin Blanc based whites to air dried Chenin Blanc Straw Wine, with Roundstone's vineyards carrying Regenerative Organic Certification.