The Pinotage Association, together with valued partners, announces the upcoming series of Pinotage 100 events this October and November, marking the centenary of Pinotage.
As Pinotage turns 100 in 2025. Most celebrations are set for Pinotage Month, however visit our Events and Calendar for What is Happening!
To our Pinotage community, how will you celebrate this distinctly South African varietal? Share your plans to honor a century of Pinotage—from opening a vintage bottle to exploring new blends or visiting wineries. Let’s toast to the legacy of Pinotage and its bright future!
Pinotage in South Africa
The vines were initially referred to as “Perold’s Hermitage x Pinot”. The name Herminoire was also considered. The first grapes were grown at Elsenburg Agricultural College, and the first Pinotage wines were made here in 1941. The first Pinotage wine was made at Elsenburg in 1941.The first commercial vines were planted at either Myrtle Cove near Sir Lowry’s Pass or Muratie in Stellenbosch.
Kanonkop also planted the vines in 1941. Bellevue Pinotage brought recognition to the grape when it was named the General Smuts Trophy Winner at the Cape Wine Show in 1959. In 1961, the Kanonkop Estate Pinotage won the same award. But it was only in 1961 that the name Pinotage first appeared on the label – to market the 1959 Bellevue Estate Pinotage, branded under Lanzerac.
Pinotage is the third most planted red grape in South Africa. It makes up 7.2% of all the South African vine plantings, coming in before Merlot and behind Shiraz. Paarl, Swartland and Stellenbosch all have close to 2,000 hectares each, followed by Robertson at 875 hectares.
Stellenbosch Farmer’s Winery were the first to use the name Pinotage on a label in 1961, to market the 1959 champion Pinotage of Bellevue Estate under the Lanzerac brand.Ranking 97th on the list of grapes planted around the world, Pinotage is without a doubt South Africa’s national grape. It was created in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, who was the first professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University..
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Pinotage 100: Celebrating a century of South Africa’s heritage | wine.co.za
Source: Wine.Co.Za - Pinotage Association
