Brookdale Estate has earned its stripes as a leading producer of unique South African white blends with two wines scoring Five Stars in the Platter’s by Diner’s Club 2025 South African Wine Guide.
This year it is the only producer to claim two of the 10 Five Stars allocated in the White Blend (Other) category.
Brookdale Estate is the pinnacle of the Rudd family’s passions. Here, Mediterranean varietals, a unique Paarl terroir and unusual winemaking techniques were brought together by the proprietor, Tim Rudd, and outgoing winemaker, Kiara Scott Farmer. The vision remains to produce world-class fine wines, including interesting blends crafted from varietals that are somewhat ‘unusual’ in South Africa.
- It is the first Five Stars Platter’s score for Brookdale Bradbourne (2023), a blend of Grenache Blanc, Piquepoul Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne, and the second in a row for the Brookdale Sixteen Field Blend (2023).
- Brookdale Estate’s Old Vine Chenin Blanc (2022) follows hot on the heels of the other two wines with a score of 4.5 stars in the 2025 Platter’s ratings. In Brookdale’s lifestyle range, the Mason Road GSM (2023), a red blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, also held its own with a solid score of 4.5 stars.
Platter’s Five Stars is a distinctive South African badge of honour for the 259 Five Star wines and brandies which scored 95+ this year – wines that are cited as ‘Superlative. A South African Classic’. Brookdale proprietor Tim Rudd says Brookdale is honoured as a young producer within the new guard to receive this prestigious acknowledgement from Platter’s and its accomplished tasters.
Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide, known simply as ‘Platters’ by its fans, celebrates its 45th year as South Africa’s favourite wine guide with the publication of its 2025 edition.
