Pinotage, the cultivar that is unique to South Africa, will be celebrated not only at Durbanville Hills Wines and many other South African wineries on International Pinotage Day, which this year falls on 10 October, but also elsewhere in the world to create awareness and to honour this noble varietal.
This cultivar owes its existence to the legendary Prof Abraham Perold who in the 1920s out of curiosity, crossed Cinsaut (or Hermitage, as it was then known locally) with Pinot noir. The four seeds he obtained from the crossing he planted at his home on the Welgevallen experimental farm in Stellenbosch. He soon forgot about his experiment. When Perold took up a new position at KWV in Paarl, the residence stood unoccupied for some time. During a clean-up of what had become an overgrown garden, a passing colleague who knew about the experiment, removed the rootstock just in time and so saved Pinotage for the world. The young vines were re-established at the nursery at Elsenburg Agricultural College.
The area around the Durbanville Hills cellar is known for its cool climate which is considered ideal for the slow-ripening of Pinotage. On 10 October the cellar will celebrate the occasion with a lunch paired with a glass of Durbanville Hills Pinotage. Grilled venison loin with twice baked pecan nut soufflé, red coleslaw and a glass of wine will be available at R150 per person.
In addition, you can purchase a gift pack from the tasting room consisting of three bottles of Pinotage from its Durbanville Hills, The Scout and Rhinofields ranges at R230
Bookings are essential. To book or for more information call 021 558 1337 or send an email to info@durbanvillehills.co.za
