Martin Smith is his family’s third-generation winemaker. After completing his studies at the Elsenburg Agricultural College outside Stellenbosch, he moved abroad and worked in California for ten years, honing his skills in the production of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Upon his return, he was appointed as the winemaker for one of South Africa’s biggest luxury wine brands, Vilafonté, before starting Paserene Wines in Franschhoek where he is still the co-owner and winemaker. His wife Welma’s studies were followed by a trip to another “holy grail” of winemaking, France, where she pursued her dreams of becoming a sommelier at the World Sommelier Academy of Bordeaux. Forever the student of wine, she is also currently enrolled for her WSET Diploma. 

Their mutual love for Chardonnay and Bordeaux-type red varieties was one of the main catalysts that eventually brought them together, as both varieties complement the various paths, work experiences and education they have chosen. They are the custodians and first-generation winemakers of Atlas Swift, and with that comes an immense responsibility that they carry on their shoulders, just like Atlas, the Titan of old.
 
The Smiths gracefully accept this responsibility, and together with their love for South African soil, they are determined and committed to producing wines of the highest caliber.”

Martin Smith is his family’s third-generation winemaker. After completing his studies at the Elsenburg Agricultural College outside Stellenbosch, he moved abroad and worked in California for ten years, honing his skills in the production of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Upon his return, he was appointed as the winemaker for one of South Africa’s biggest luxury wine brands, Vilafonté, before starting Paserene Wines in Franschhoek where he is still the co-owner and winemaker. His wife Welma’s studies were followed by a trip to another “holy grail” of winemaking, France, where she pursued her dreams of becoming a sommelier at the World Sommelier Academy of Bordeaux. Forever the student of wine, she is also currently enrolled for her WSET Diploma. 

Their mutual love for Chardonnay and Bordeaux-type red varieties was one of the main catalysts that eventually brought them together, as both varieties complement the various paths, work experiences and education they have chosen. They are the custodians and first-generation winemakers of Atlas Swift, and with that comes an immense responsibility that they carry on their shoulders, just like Atlas, the Titan of old.
 
The Smiths gracefully accept this responsibility, and together with their love for South African soil, they are determined and committed to producing wines of the highest caliber.”