Since our debut in 2019, every vintage of our Pinotage, up to and including 2022, was awarded Platter’s coveted 5-star rating – a remarkable run that set a high benchmark for our small cellar.
This year breaks that streak, and while we naturally hoped the 2023 would follow suit, we also recognise that no producer can expect to hit the absolute top accolade every single year. Vintages shift, conditions change, and individuality is part of what makes fine wine compelling.
What matters most is that the 2023 (not officially released yet) remains an exceptional wine: balanced, precise, and a true reflection of the vineyard and the hands that crafted it.
It received 94 points in Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Report 2025, a Gold Medal at the 2025 Veritas Wine Awards, and 4.5 Stars / 94 Points in the 2026 Platter’s Wine Guide.
Two New Wines on the Horizon
There’s also something special on the horizon. Mid-2026 will see the Francois van Niekerk portfolio expand, with the introduction of two new single-vineyard wines: a Chenin Blanc that captures the purity and texture of a remarkable site, and a Grenache Noir that we’ve been quietly nurturing with great anticipation.
Both wines were fermented and matured in a combination of terracotta amphorae (clay pots) and concrete eggs, techniques that help build texture and enhance flavour.
Consider this a small hint of what’s to come – two additions that promise to bring fresh energy, new character, and more depth to our collection.
