Pinotage is South Africa’s signature red grape, known for its bold flavours of dark fruit, smoky notes and full-bodied character. International Pinotage Day, celebrated on the second Saturday of October, is an opportunity to raise a glass to a variety that overcame years of criticism to win recognition around the world.
From four seeds to a South African original
In 1925, Stellenbosch professor Abraham Perold crossed Pinot Noir with Cinsault, then known in South Africa as Hermitage. He hoped to combine Pinot Noir’s finesse with Cinsault’s hardiness and ability to thrive in the Cape’s warm climate.
The young vines nearly disappeared when Perold left Stellenbosch in 1928. A clean-up crew was about to remove the overgrown plants, but lecturer Charlie Niehaus recognised their importance and rescued them. Perold’s successor, CJ Theron, grafted the vines onto rootstock, and the new grape was named Pinotage—a blend of “Pinot” and “Hermitage”.
The first Pinotage wine was made at Elsenburg Agricultural College in 1941. The first commercial vineyard followed two years later, and bottles bearing the grape’s name appeared under the Lanzerac label in 1961.
A difficult road to recognition
Early interest led to new plantings across the Cape, but Pinotage fell out of favour in the 1970s and 1980s. South Africa’s isolation during apartheid also kept its wines off many international shelves.
When export markets reopened in the 1990s, some overseas critics encountered poorly made examples and dismissed the grape for harsh, volatile flavours. South African producers continued working to improve its reputation. Kanonkop’s Beyers Truter became a prominent advocate, while a new generation of winemakers used gentler extraction and more careful oak ageing to soften the wine’s rougher edges.
Today, Pinotage from old bush vines can show depth and finesse. The mocha-scented “coffee Pinotage” style has also found an audience. Top examples have received high scores, and wines from regions such as Swartland and Walker Bay have earned Platinum medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Pinotage is also used in Cape Blends, often alongside Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
International Pinotage Day was first celebrated on 11 October 2014. The Pinotage Association, founded by producers in 1995 to promote the grape and defend its reputation, is a leading supporter of the occasion. In South Africa, October brings warmer spring weather and the start of braai season—an ideal setting for a smoky glass of Pinotage. The wine also suits cooler Northern Hemisphere evenings and hearty meals.
Pinotage beyond South Africa
Stellenbosch, Swartland and Paarl remain important Pinotage regions, but the grape has also spread abroad. Plantings can be found in New Zealand, California, Oregon and Virginia, as well as Brazil, Israel and Zimbabwe.
Wherever it grows, Pinotage is known for dark fruit, a hint of smoke and a generous, full-flavoured style.
What to expect
- Body: Medium to full
- Typical flavours: Plum, blackberry, mulberry and cherry, often with smoke, sweet tobacco, liquorice or rooibos. Oaked examples may show mocha and dark chocolate.
- Main regions: Stellenbosch, Swartland, Paarl and Wellington in South Africa; smaller plantings in New Zealand, California and Brazil.
- Food pairings: Barbecued or chargrilled meat, boerewors, ribs, venison, hearty stews and mature hard cheeses.
- Drinking window: Everyday examples are generally best within two to five years of the vintage. Top wines from old vines can age for a decade or longer.
10 award-winning Pinotage-dominant wines
The following wines received awards at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards:
| Wine | Award | Tasting notes | Alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Du Toitskloof, Granite Pinotage, Swartland 2024 | Platinum, 97 points | Wild berry, cherry and spice over sandalwood and fine tannins. Supple, approachable and finished with a herbal note. | 14.5% |
| Survivor, Reserve Pinotage, Swartland 2023 | Silver, 94 points | Dark berry, black plum and mocha, lifted by smoked liquorice, juicy fruit and expressive spice. | 14% |
| Spier, Seaward Pinotage, Coastal Region 2023 | Silver, 93 points | Pencil lead, potpourri and dark berries, with restrained fruit, fine tannins and elegant acidity. | 14.6% |
| Groot Phesantekraal, Pinotage, Cape Town 2024 | Silver, 92 points | Braai spice, purple fruit and sage, followed by juicy, tangy fruit and concentrated depth. | 14.3% |
| Diemersdal, The Journal Pinotage, Durbanville, Cape Town 2023 | Silver, 92 points | Blackberry, bay leaf and vanilla spice, with sweet fruit, dark chocolate and a velvety texture. | 14.5% |
| Bellingham, The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage, Coastal Region 2023 | Silver, 91 points | Cherry and strawberry with vanilla spice and scented oak, leading to dense fruit and focused minerality. | 14% |
| Cape Five, Reserve Pinotage, Coastal Region 2023 | Silver, 91 points | Violet, mulberry and blueberry wrapped in smoky oak, with juicy fruit, balanced acidity and depth. | 14.5% |
| Durbanville Hills, Collectors Reserve The Promenade Pinotage, Durbanville, Cape Town 2024 | Silver, 91 points | Cocoa, coffee and dark fruit with lemon thyme, concentrated fruit, freshness and ripe tannins. | 14.2% |
| Simonsig, Redhill Pinotage, Stellenbosch 2021 | Silver, 91 points | Raspberry, blackcurrant and cigar-box notes with vanilla spice, supple texture and refined structure. | 14% |
| Marks & Spencer, Peacock Tail Pinotage, Swartland 2025 | Silver, 90 points | Hibiscus and creamy oak frame ripe dark fruit, with fresh mulberry and dusty tannins. | 13.5% |