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Prof Abraham Izak Perold

The Father of Pinotage

Pinotage’s story begins in 1924 with a forward-thinking experiment by Professor Abraham Izak Perold, a pioneering viticulturist at Stellenbosch University. Seeking to create a grape that could combine the elegance of Pinot Noir with the resilience and robustness of Cinsaut (known locally as Hermitage), Perold meticulously crossed these two French varieties. On November 17, 1924, this fusion took place. It was a cross that few, at the time, could have imagined would define South African viticulture.

In 1925, Perold planted the seeds from his experiment, officially marking Pinotage’s birthday. At this stage, the variety held little more than academic interest. In fact, it was nearly forgotten. Perold left the seedlings behind when he took up a post at KWV in Paarl in 1928. It was only thanks to the observant eye of a young academic, Dr. Charlie Niehaus, who rescued the seedlings during a clean-up at Welgevallen farm, that Pinotage was saved from oblivion. He replanted the vines in Stellenbosch, ensuring the survival of what would become a South African icon.

Though it had survived, Pinotage’s journey to commercial success was anything but smooth. The grape’s potential lay dormant for over a decade until 1935 when the vines were grafted onto rootstocks, enabling them to flourish. The first real breakthrough came in 1941, when CT de Waal, a lecturer at Elsenburg, produced the first-ever Pinotage wine. Though it was a modest achievement, it set the stage for a grape that would eventually capture the imagination of winemakers across the globe. Tragically, Professor Perold did not live to taste the fruits of his labour, passing away that same year.

French prince meets humble peasant

By the 1940s, Pinotage began to establish its roots in South African vineyards. The first commercial plantings were made in 1943 at Myrtle Grove farm, marking the beginning of the grape’s journey toward becoming a defining feature of South African viticulture. Its potential soon captured the interest of prominent figures like Gerrit Nieuwoudt, a key figure at Stellenbosch Farmers Winery (SFW). After tasting an experimental Pinotage in 1949, Nieuwoudt became an enthusiastic advocate for the variety, championing its cultivation throughout the region.
The 1950s ushered in a period of growth and optimism for Pinotage. Esteemed vineyards like Uiterwyk (now known as DeWaal) in 1950, followed by Bellevue, Kanonkop, and Meerendal in 1953, planted the variety, helping to establish Pinotage’s early identity. A turning point came in 1959 and 1961 when Bellevue and Kanonkop clinched the prestigious General Smuts Trophy at the National Young Wine Show, cementing Pinotage’s status as a grape of serious merit. In 1964, Pinotage took its first step onto the international stage when New Zealand’s Corbans winery produced its inaugural Pinotage vintage.

Despite these promising developments, the 1970s were a tumultuous decade for Pinotage. In 1976, a group of Masters of Wine dismissed the variety, declaring that it “had no future,” prompting some producers to turn their backs on Pinotage in favour of more internationally renowned varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. However, Pinotage’s resilience and unique qualities helped it defy these early criticisms.

By the late 1970s, the grape had crossed borders and made its way to California, thanks to pioneering efforts by Dick Steltzner, who planted it in 1978. Back in South Africa, notable estates such as Audacia, Delheim, Kanonkop, and Spier continued to refine and promote the variety, ensuring Pinotage’s continued presence and evolution in the wine industry.

Local is lekker, for everyone!

The 1980s and 1990s marked a golden era for Pinotage, with the grape gaining widespread recognition and acclaim. Beyers Truter of Kanonkop became one of its most ardent champions, earning the prestigious Diners Club Winemaker of the Year award in 1987 for his exceptional Pinotage wines. This momentum continued in 1991 when Truter was named International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London—a historic moment for both Truter and Pinotage, placing the variety firmly on the international stage.
As Pinotage’s reputation soared, so did its global reach. By the 1990s, vineyards in Virginia (1993) and Canada (1996) were cultivating the grape, showcasing its adaptability across diverse climates. The formation of the Pinotage Association in 1995 set the stage for further development and refinement of the variety, culminating in the inaugural Pinotage Top 10 Competition in 1997, an event that continues to celebrate excellence in Pinotage winemaking.

The new millennium saw Pinotage’s influence grow even further. Israel debuted its first Pinotage wine in 2001, and in 2002, Kaapzicht’s Steytler Vision Cape Blend featuring Pinotage clinched the World’s Best Red Blend trophy at the International Wine & Spirits Competition. The emergence of Cape Blends, which highlighted Pinotage’s versatility when combined with other varieties, solidified its status in the global wine market.

Throughout the 2000s, Pinotage’s reputation continued to flourish. The 2008 Pinotage Top 10 Competition saw a record 136 entries, and in 2009, South Africa celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first commercial Pinotage vintage—a testament to the grape’s enduring appeal and resilience.

In 2020, Pinotage reached yet another milestone as the first South African variety to be classified under the Grand Pinotage Classification, a distinction that further elevated its standing among the world’s finest wines. As we approach 2025 and celebrate nearly a century since Pinotage’s inception, the future shines brightly for this once-experimental grape.
As we raise a glass to 100 years of Pinotage, we celebrate not only its rich history but also its future. We look forward to seeing the rise of our own Cape Wine Masters scoring Pinotage wines 100 points.