In only three decades, Beyerskloof has established itself as one of the places to taste South Africa’s heritage varietal, Pinotage. Since 2006, Anri Truter has taken the reins as winemaker, building on his father’s legacy (Beyers Truter) while forging new paths for the estate. With a focus on innovation both in the vineyards and the cellar, the future of Beyerskloof and Pinotage looks bright.
At the recent Absa Pinotage Awards, the Beyerskloof Winemakers Reserve 2022 was honoured as one of the top ten Pinotage wines for 2024. Anri shares his thoughts on the achievement: “The Absa Top 10 award showcases our hard work as a team to produce the best Pinotage possible and celebrates our commitment to the variety.”
October is Pinotage Month, with Pinotage Day celebrated on the 12th. As one of the leading Pinotage producers, Beyerskloof celebrated by hosting an 80’s 80-themed dress-up party with music, great food, and lots of Pinotage.
Pinotage, a proudly South African grape variety, is now planted worldwide. Anri is optimistic about its future, “I feel the future is bright. If you think about it, Pinotage will only turn 100 next year, and you will see how far it’s come in a short period compared to other cultivars. If you also look at the quality now compared to 25-30 years ago, there is a big difference, and you will struggle to find a bad Pinotage. My gut feeling is that Pinotage is a proudly South African red grape variety and could soon become our USP for international markets.”
Beyerskloof produces an extensive range of Pinotage wines, showcasing the versatility of the cultivar. Anri explains their focus, “My dad fell in love with Pinotage, and luckily, so did the rest of the Beyerskloof team. We decided to showcase Pinotage’s versatility and quality, and out of the fourteen wines we produce, twelve feature Pinotage. We have a white Pinotage blend, Rosé, easy-drinking Pinotage, Cape blends, premium barrel-aged Pinotage, and even a 100% Pinotage Cape Vintage (Port). If you want to experience Pinotage in all shapes, forms, and sizes, pop into the Beyerskloof tasting room and restaurant, Red Leaf.”
With summer approaching, Anri shares his favourite food pairing for Pinotage, “I would say anything on the braai, but try ice-cold (10-12°C) Beyerskloof Pinotage with oysters – no lemon and Tabasco, just as they come from the sea.”
Whether you’re a long-time Pinotage enthusiast or just discovering the cultivar, Beyerskloof offers an array of experiences to celebrate this South African gem. Pop by the estate and raise a glass of proudly South African Pinotage this October.