About Klein Amoskuil
Klein Amoskuil is a Swartland estate near Malmesbury, South Africa, built around 'The Amos Block' — a dry-farmed Sauvignon Blanc vineyard planted in 1965 that is widely recognized as the mother block of South African Sauvignon Blanc. Charles Back discovered the vineyard in the mid-1990s and struck a handshake deal to buy the farm, which went on to anchor his Spice Route project and helped drive Swartland's shift from bulk cooperative wine toward independent, terroir-driven winemaking. In 2018 Back sent winemaker Charl du Plessis to Georgia to study qvevri winemaking, and since 2019 twenty hand-crafted Georgian clay vessels have been buried on the property, forming the heart of the Obscura range — skin-contact wines fermented with native yeast and no added sulfur. The estate farms 80 of its 400 hectares organically, entirely without irrigation, producing an organic range built around the heritage Amos Block Sauvignon Blanc and single-varietal reds (Bok Amok Grenache Noir, Tarentaal Kwaal Mourvèdre, Die Nagmuis Syrah) alongside the ancient-method Obscura wines.
Who Is This For?
For natural-wine adventurers and Swartland loyalists who want to taste South Africa's Sauvignon Blanc history alongside genuinely ancient-method, additive-free winemaking.
Wines of Klein Amoskuil
No cuvées registered yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Klein Amoskuil located?
- Klein Amoskuil is a farm on the Kalbaskraal road just outside Malmesbury in the Swartland, South Africa, owned by Charles Back.
- What makes the Amos Block Sauvignon Blanc special?
- It comes from a dry-farmed vineyard planted in 1965 that is widely recognized as the mother block of South African Sauvignon Blanc.
- What is the Obscura range?
- Obscura is Klein Amoskuil's natural wine range, fermented and aged in twenty hand-crafted Georgian qvevri buried underground since 2019, using native yeast with no added sulfur.
- Are Klein Amoskuil's vineyards organic?
- Yes, the estate's 80 hectares of vines are certified organic and entirely dry-farmed, without irrigation.
- Can you visit Klein Amoskuil?
- Yes, tastings can be arranged by appointment with the estate, typically with 48 hours' notice.