Winemaker Martin Smith from the famous Vilafonté in Stellenbosch started his own business and named his company Paserene, the bird breed that includes more than half of all bird species. With his Chardonnay 2015, Martin already scored the top score of 5 stars in the Platter's South African Wine Guide. His three wines, from three different South African terroirs, are favorites of sommeliers and wine connoisseurs. They are spontaneously fermented and the craftsman gives them carefully dosed wood maturation.

Martin Smith studied Viticulture & Oenology at Elsenburg Agricultural College. From 2010 to 2016 he worked as a winemaker for the famous Vilafonté in Stellenbosch, where he was praised for his beautiful red Bordeaux blends. Before and during his time at Vilafonté, he also worked as a consultant in California; a flying winemaker... would that be why he named his solo project Paserene? His own winery is so successful that he now focuses entirely on this.