Winemaker
David Trafford
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Venue
- De Trafford · Winery
i. Biography
David Trafford is the winemaker and owner of De Trafford Wines in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where his work is defined by a quiet rigor and an exacting attention to what belongs in the final blend. At the center of that philosophy is cellar and vineyard selection, a patient, selective process expressed most clearly through Elevation 393, a wine built from the best parcels of vines and the best barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Rather than chasing excess, Trafford’s style turns on proportion, texture, and the measured interplay of fruit, structure, and restraint.
The Path
David Trafford trained at University of Cape Town, laying the groundwork for a career shaped by discipline and craft. That foundation reads through his work in the cellar: a maker attentive to detail, but equally willing to let the vineyard speak. Over time, his approach has come to feel less like formula than interpretation, with each wine assembled from thoughtful choices about what to include, and what to leave out. In that sense, his path is one of refinement—of learning how to distill character without flattening it.
The Work Today
Today, Trafford’s focus remains on shaping wines that feel complete rather than forceful, and on drawing balance from careful selection across vineyard and barrel. His defining work is not only the creation of individual wines, but the disciplined act of choosing among many possible expressions and arriving at the one that feels most resolved. That sensibility gives his portfolio a sense of coherence: the wines are distinct, yet linked by an underlying clarity of purpose.
Signature
David's signature wines include Straw Wine, Elevation 393, and Syrah 393. Each carries a different facet of his sensibility. Straw Wine suggests richness tempered by precision; Elevation 393 reflects the compositional discipline of parcel and barrel selection; and Syrah 393 extends that same measured approach into another register of the cellar. Together, they point to a winemaker drawn to nuance, where expression is sharpened rather than obscured by concentration.
In Their Words “Old vines are great, but I think sometimes that old-vine fruit can be too concentrated.” “I think a little young-vine fruit brings both accessibility and balance to the wine.”
Acclaim
Trafford’s own language around balance is precise rather than ornamental. “Old vines are great, but I think sometimes that old-vine fruit can be too concentrated.” He adds: “I think a little young-vine fruit brings both accessibility and balance to the wine.” In those two sentences, his outlook is laid bare: not a search for intensity at any cost, but an interest in equilibrium, lift, and the way contrasting elements can make a wine more readable, more generous, and more complete.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of David
What is David Trafford's current role?
As of 2026, David Trafford is Winemaker and Owner.
Where did David Trafford train or study?
David Trafford trained at University of Cape Town.
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