Intellego Wines was founded in 2009 by Jurgen Gouws, funded by earnings from two Russian harvest trips (a great conversation starter) and the sale of secondhand barrels. The name Intellego, meaning “understand” in Latin, reflects Jurgen’s quest to grasp the full potential of the Swartland. Originally from the Eastern Cape, he’s now a full-on Swartland local and one of the region’s young guns. Picture a laidback guy with a surfer’s tan, a wry smile, and an obsession with older bush vine Chenin.

In addition to working for the Russian oligarchs, Jurgen cut his teeth with legends like Eben Sadie (Sadie Family), Tom Lubbe (Matassa), Stéphane Ogier (Roc d’Anglade), and Craig “El Bandito” Hawkins (Testalonga and Lammershoek). Intellego started as his side project while working at Lammershoek and now operates out of a rented space in the Paardeberg. His workspace is decked out with a wall of barrels scrawled with the names of his favorite musicians, DJs, and whatever else inspires him. Jurgen’s winemaking style is all about keeping it true to place: organic farming, no irrigation, and minimal intervention in the cellar. No shortcuts—no yeast, acid, or enzymes—just careful handling with minimal sulfur and filtration. Whole-bunch fermentation keeps things fresh and vibrant, especially for reds.

Intellego is part of a new wave in the Cape: winemakers ditching convention for organic farming, hands-off cellar work, and wines that are pure, energetic, and dangerously drinkable. Jurgen works closely with farmers to make sure the fruit tells the story of the Swartland, with a special focus on older Chenin vines for their unmatched intensity and texture. “As humans we strive towards an ideal life,” says Jurgen, “in order to fulfill our destiny and our everyday life is part of this exciting process. We are very fortunate to be part of this cycle through our work in vineyards and its continuity in the cellar. The final product in bottle is a true celebration of what happens in the vineyard.” From his fresh, textural wines to his quirky, cartoon-inspired labels, Intellego is pure Swartland energy, bottled.