100 Years of Pinotage: Walk Around Tasting 2025

100 Years of Pinotage - walkaround tasting:
Join wine school founder Jimmy Smith and the team for a walkaround tasting celebrating the Pinotage grape variety from South Africa.

PLEASE NOTE: Start: 6:45pm - Finish: 9pm - last entry 8.30pm

Drop by at your leisure to taste over 25 different wines that showcase the diversity of this relatively new grape variety which is a core identity of South Africa. As many of you know Jimmy is a huge ambassador of the wines of South Africa and he is excited to share what he believes is one of the most-improved grape varieties over the last 5 years.

Pinotage is South Africa’s signature red grape variety and a symbol of the country’s winemaking identity. Created in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, a professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University, Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (then known locally as Hermitage, which inspired the name). The aim was to combine the finesse and elegance of Pinot Noir with the robustness and high yields of Cinsault, resulting in a uniquely South African varietal. Wines made from Pinotage are highly distinctive, often showing deep color, bold fruit flavors of dark berries and plums, and earthy or smoky undertones. Depending on the winemaking style, it can range from soft and approachable to intensely structured with notes of coffee, chocolate, and spice. Though it faced criticism in its early years for sometimes producing rustic or overly tannic wines, modern winemakers have refined their techniques, unlocking Pinotage’s potential for balance, complexity, and age-worthiness. It's a really exciting time to be discovering and enjoying this variety.

Today, Pinotage is celebrated not only as a varietal wine but also as a key component in the "Cape Blend," where it is combined with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Its versatility and proudly South African roots make it a point of national pride and an intriguing discovery for wine lovers around the world.

More details on wineries and producers to follow.