There’s no stopping Fairview owner/vintner Charles Back when his interest in a creative, entrepreneurial project is piqued. It all started with a suggestion by a wine buyer...  the man humorously suggested the vinification of a Rhône-style blend called "Goats do Roam". Back, already known for his panache with Shiraz and always looking for new styles of wine to woo adventurous and discerning consumers, took the ball and ran with it.

Thus was born, in 1999, what was for the South African wine scene an innovative blend using Rhône varieties such as Shiraz, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvèdre with a dash of local Pinotage, which Back had sourced from various vineyards (his own and others) around Paarl and Malmesbury. But, despite the humour of the packaging, the content of the bottle impressed with its quality, combining rich complexity with great drinkability. Since then, Goats do Roam has expanded into a fully fledged wine company with a range of nine whimsically named wines.