Launch of the Piekenierskloof Grenache Gilde

Piekenierskloof, in the Olifants River region, is citrus and rooibos tea country first, wine country second, with total vineyard plantings just over 500 ha. The plateau sits 650–700 m above sea level on predominantly sandstone soils, and the vines are dryland and untrellised.

Grenache is the focus variety, with 92 ha planted, of which 18 ha qualify as officially designated old vines. Cool temperatures leading up to harvest preserve fruit and acidity, allowing the variety to reach optimal ripeness. Locally, Grenache remains very much a niche grape: total plantings in 2024 amounted to 579 ha, compared to roughly 94,000 ha in France and 70,000 ha in Spain.

Recently, growers in the ward launched the Grenache Gilde, hosting a showcase event to celebrate the variety. The Gilde plans to make this an annual event.

A panel of nine tasters, guided by renowned winemaker Eben Sadie, evaluated 12 wines to select a six-bottle mixed case, which will soon be offered via charity auction. The group’s top-rated wines were as follows:

Grenache Gilde 2025 case

1. Piekenierskloof Carel van Zyl Old Vine 2024 (Heidedal Boerdery-Piekenierskloof Vrugte/Oubaas van Zyl and Bergendal Boerdery/Potgieter van Zyl)
   
   
2. Sadie Family Vineyards Soldaat 2024 (Paardekop Boerdery/Bielie and Erasmus van Zyl)
   
   
3. Bloemcool Bergendal Oupa-se-Wingerd 2023 (Bergendal Boerdery/Potgieter van Zyl)
   
   
4.  Savage Thief in the Night 2024 (Paardekop Boerdery/Bielie and Erasmus van Zyl)
   
   
5. Kleinbegin 2021 (Oudam/Willie Marais)
   
   
6. Neil Ellis Piekenierskloof 2020 (Oudam/Willie Marais)

Rest of line-up:

Donkiesbaai 2023 (Bergendal Boerdery/Potgieter van Zyl)

Kardouw The Farmer’s Wife 2021 (Paardekop Boerdery/Bielie and Erasmus van Zyl)

Kruger Family Wines Old Vine 2019 (Heidedal Boerdery/Piekenierskloof Vrugte/Oubaas van Zyl)

Léze Herholdt Paleisheuwel 2023 (Heidedal Boerdery-Piekenierskloof Vrugte/Oubaas van Zyl)

Lourens Family Wines Lua Ilse 2023 (Bergendal Boerdery/Potgieter van Zyl)

Momento Piekeniersloof 2023 (Paardekop Boerdery/Bielie and Erasmus van Zyl)