The Story.
A Bordeaux conviction, born in Stellenbosch.
The viticulturalist's skill, the winemaker's patience, the meticulous hands-on attention in the cellar — these qualities combine in a way that can rightfully be called The High Road.
Founded in 2003 in Bosman's Crossing on the edge of Stellenbosch, The High Road is an urban boutique winery devoted to one pursuit: classical Bordeaux-style blends made with absolute integrity, from soil to glass.
Every bottle carries the same promise — black and red fruit complemented by a delicate spiciness, harmonious Stellenbosch earthiness, soft supple tannins and fresh acidity. Consistency is not an accident. It is the work.
The Vision
Insurance career by default.
Wine career by design.
Les Sweidan arrived in the Cape in the early 1970s and never looked back. His fascination with red wine started with a taste of Roodeberg in 1973. He was inspired to produce a wine that paid tribute to South Africa’s peaceful transition to democracy — a wine that reflected the nation’s new beginning. The High Road was born.
“I have been extremely fortunate to collaborate with a great team to produce a wonderful wine — one that has opened so many opportunities, allowed me to rub shoulders with interesting people, visit amazing wine regions, and enjoy great wines. I salute all of our founding members, winemakers, brand ambassadors, supporters and critics alike for their invaluable input over the past 23 vintages.”
— Les Sweidan, Founder
The Craft
World-class Bordeaux-style wine starts with deep local knowledge.
Our boutique winery in Bosman’s Crossing, Stellenbosch, handcrafts limited-release wines from some of the finest ancient shale and granitic soils in the Cape.
01
The Terroir
Ancient shale and granitic soils, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and a Mediterranean climate create wines of complexity and unique regional character. We select grape clones to showcase precise aromas and taste profiles.
02
Hand-Picked & Sorted
Grapes are hand-picked and transported in small lug boxes to maintain fruit integrity. Rigorous bunch and berry sorting ensures only perfectly ripened grapes are vinified.
03
French Oak & Cellar Care
Our wines are nurtured exclusively in imported French oak barrels from top international cooperages, then bottle-matured under expertly controlled temperature and humidity before release.
The People
The team behind every bottle.
Founder
Les Sweidan
Les arrived in the Cape in the 1970s and built The High Road from a personal conviction: that Stellenbosch could produce world-class Bordeaux-style wines. He was inspired to produce a wine that paid tribute to South Africa's peaceful transition to democracy, a new wine that reflected the nation's new beginning. The High Road was born.
Consulting Winemaker
Miles Mossop
Son of Cape Wine Master Tony Mossop, Miles graduated top of his class in Viticulture and Enology at Stellenbosch University in 1998. A Cape Winemakers Guild member since 2012 and former Chairman, Miles brings 19 Tokara harvests and a relentless pursuit of excellence to every vintage.
General Manager
Lyzette Tanski
With 13 years in South African fine wine, Lyzette holds a BAgric in Cellar Technology from Elsenburg and a BBA in Marketing Management from IMM Graduate School. She brings deep wine knowledge and a genuine passion for connecting people with exceptional bottles.
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