Rijk’s Pinotage is grown in low-yielding, well-drained vertical shale soil on 70% bush vines and 30% trellised vines. The grapes were night-harvested by hand and then given a 48-hour cold maceration period prior to fermentation. Manual punch downs were done 3 times daily and skins were gently pressed before fermentation. Malolactic fermentation took place in the barrels after which the wine matured for 22 months in new and second-fill French Oak barrels. The Reserve Pinotage was made by blending a strict selection of the 20 finest barrels.