The Western Cape’s story is a continuous narrative of excellence, innovation, and pride in its heritage. This spirit is at the heart of the 2025 Absa Top 20 Pinotage Finalists, a competition that celebrates South Africa’s homegrown varietal. This year’s event is especially significant, marking a century since Professor Abraham Izak Perold of Stellenbosch University crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, creating a grape that would become a national treasure and a global ambassador for the Cape Winelands.
A Showcase of Regional Excellence
The competition drew 120 entries from 68 producers, showcasing Pinotage’s ability to thrive across diverse terroirs. The finalists represent South Africa’s leading wine regions, including Stellenbosch, Simonsberg, Durbanville, Paarl, Swartland, Breedekloof, Wellington, and the Olifants River. As Beyers Truter, Chairman of the Pinotage Association, noted, the finalists “embody everything this variety stands for—heritage, tenacity, and the ability to tell South Africa’s story through wine,” making this centenary a true celebration of progress and resilience.
October 2025 marks the official centenary of the varietal’s creation, and a month-long celebration will take place across the country. From 9–12 October, Meerendal Wine Estate will host Pinotage 100: A Celebration of Legacy and the Future. 11 October is International Pinotage Day, when wine lovers worldwide will raise a glass to South Africa’s own, alongside events such as Pinotage on Tap at Diemersfontein and the Neethlingshof Pinotage Run.
The Western Cape’s narrative is defined by its ability to create something truly unique from its landscape and culture. From a single cross-pollinated grape to a celebrated national treasure, the journey of Pinotage mirrors the story of the region itself: a story of bold vision, craftsmanship, and reinvention that ensures the Cape’s champions—in wine, tourism, and beyond—will continue to define their remarkable legacy.
