RAISING THE BAR, six members of the Pinotage Association have teamed up to launch a collection of their finest – new ‘Grand Pinotage’ wines that sell by the case only, a bottle from each producer, for R9000 a case!

Who would have thought that Kanonkop could offer something more exclusive than their Black Label, that Beyerskloof would come up with a Pinotage more exceptional than their Diesel… Together with fellow Stellenbosch producers Kaapzicht, L’Avenir and Simonsig, plus Rijk’s of Tulbagh, they are said to have set a new precedent for the variety.

Born when Stellenbosch University’s Prof Abraham Perold crossed Pinot Noir with Cinsaut in 1925, South Africa’s ‘heritage grape’ has attained iconic status in the hands of prestigious Pinotage viticulturists and cellarmasters over the past couple of decades. Production of their Grand Pinotage is limited to 500 cases a year (500 bottles per producer), with 2018 being the maiden vintage, so to speak, and to make a purchase you are required to register as a collector to join a waiting list.

According to the Pinotage Association, the enigma of Pinotage has fascinated wine collectors for decades. “Only now have they been offered the pinnacle of the variety’s expression, truly emblematic of South Africa’s distinguished wine heritage.”

NOTE: Grand Pinotage is a non-profit initiative where the proceeds from purchases go towards funding ongoing quality improvement across the industry.