Diemersfontein Pinotage: 10 Incredible Bottles, Prices (2023)

The family-run Diemersfontein winery is a leading producer of Pinotage wine in South Africa. 

The Wellington-based winery offers a range of Diemersfontein Pinotage styles, ranging from smooth table wines to complex, concentrated ones. 

In this article, we’ll discover all about the versatile Diemersfontein Pinotage wine - its varied wine styles, the best foods to pair with them, and some fascinating facts about the Diemersfontein winery.

Diemersfontein Pinotage Wine Styles & Best Bottles To Buy

The Pinotage grape was first developed in South Africa by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsault. Its highly tannic wines suffered a brief setback in the 1980s but regained popularity once winemakers started prioritizing quality over quantity.

The Diemersfontein winery produces five different styles of Pinotage wine. These are: 

• Diemersfontein Reserve Collection Pinotage 
• Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage 
• Diemersfontein Pinotage 
• Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage 
• Diemersfontein 'Harlequin' Shiraz - Pinotage 

Let’s look at each one of these:

1. Diemersfontein Reserve Collection Pinotage 

The Reserve Collection Pinotage is a unique style of dry, age-worthy wine produced in the Western Cape region. 

The Pinotage grapes are harvested and pressed. Next, the wine goes through alcoholic fermentation and racking, followed by aging in oak barrels.

The wine has a firm tannin mouthfeel, 14% alcohol, and bold red fruit aromas complemented by tasting notes of cherry, blueberry, and roasted nuts.

The two best Reserve Collection Pinotage wines are:

• 2018 Diemersfontein Reserve Collection Pinotage ($30)

• 2016 Diemersfontein Reserve Collection Pinotage ($28)  

2. Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage 

This is a Pinotage-based wine with about 2% of Petit Verdot. 

The harvested grapes undergo pressing, alcoholic fermentation, and malolactic fermentation on French oak inserstave. Once fermented, the wine is racked and then aged in oak barrels for 16 months. The Petit Verdot is blended before bottling to add structure and fruit flavors to the wine.

Blackcurrant aromas with a vanilla undertone, cherry tasting notes, and ripe subtle tannins define the remarkable Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage. 

Here are two outstanding Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage labels:

• 2018 Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage ($26)

• 2015 Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage ($22)

3. Diemersfontein Pinotage 

This unique style of terroir-driven Diemersfontein Pinotage wine is produced from grapes belonging to six farms in the Western Cape region of South Africa. 

The grapes are harvested at 25 B degrees (Balling or Brix scale - indicative of sugar content.) After cold-soaking and pressing, the wine undergoes alcoholic and malolactic fermentation on French oak inserstave. It is racked after fermentation and matured on oak staves for six months.

On the nose rich dark chocolate, subtle mint, and freshly brewed coffee styling define the wine, while its palate presents intense notes of cherries and baked plums. 

It also has 14% alcohol, smooth velvety tannins and is best when drunk young.

The best Diemersfontein Pinotage wines to buy include:

• 2017 Diemersfontein Pinotage ($22)

• 2020 Diemersfontein Pinotage ($12)

4. Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage 

The grapes for the Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage wine are sourced from vineyards in Wellington and Paarl. 

After harvest, they are pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks for five days. The wine is matured in oak staves for six months before bottling.

This label offers ripe subtle tannins, rich mocha, and mint aromas balanced by delectable flavors of roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and coffee.

For an unforgettable drinking experience, you can try these wines of the Diemersfontein wine estate:

• 2017 Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage ($15)

• 2018 Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage ($14)

5. Diemersfontein 'Harlequin' Shiraz - Pinotage 

This is Diemersfontein’s most sought-after label produced by blending Shiraz (72%) and Pinotage (28%) wines. Both Shiraz and Pinotage grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness and undergo vinification separately.  

While the Shiraz is aged in old French oak barrels, the Pinotage is cellared in French oak staves for 12 months.

The blend derives its name from celebrated artist Carl Buchner’s Harlequin painting and features the artwork on its label.

The 'Harlequin' Shiraz - Pinotage is a tannin-rich wine that exudes bright dark fruit aromas in an exquisite palate of baked plums, blackcurrant, and cherries.

Two great 'Harlequin' Shiraz - Pinotage wines to enjoy are:

• 2016 Diemersfontein 'Harlequin' Shiraz - Pinotage ($16)

• 2018 Diemersfontein 'Harlequin' Shiraz - Pinotage ($14) 

Best Food to Pair with Diemersfontein Pinotage 

You can pair the dynamic Diemersfontein Pinotage wines with a wide range of foods:

• Diemersfontein Reserve Collection Pinotage: Enjoy a glass of the Reserve Collection Pinotage with roast venison,  gentle Malay curries, and lamb dishes.

• Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage: Savor this delicious Diemersfontein wine with classic South African dishes, roast duck, rich lamb casseroles, cookies, and chocolate pecan brownie.

• Diemersfontein Pinotage: This wine is the perfect accompaniment to roast venison, salmon, and desserts like molten chocolate lava cake and chocolate mousse.

• Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage: You can serve a glass of the ‘Coffee’ Pinotage with beef, quail, lamb burgers, meat-topped pizza, cookies, and smoked cheese.

• Diemersfontein 'Harlequin' Shiraz - Pinotage: This Diemersfontein wine is a perfect accompaniment to traditional South African braai, gentle Malay curries, and rich lamb casseroles.

A Brief History of the Diemersfontein Winery

The Diemersfontein estate was set up by Captain Diemer in the 19th century and remained a fruit farm till the 1940s. 

Businessman Max Sonnenberg acquired the 183-hectare estate in 1943. The farm has been in the Sonnenberg family ever since for three generations.The present owner, David Sonnenberg, planted Diemersfontein’s first vineyard and built a cellar in the 1970s. The Diemersfontein wine estate released its first wine in 2001. 

In 2003, as part of South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) initiative, David Sonnenberg launched the Thokozani wine brand. Though the brand is an arm of the Diemersfontein winery, 80% of its shareholders are farmworkers.

Diemersfontein Pinotage Wine: South Africa’s Signature Red 

Diemersfontein Pinotage wines represent the perfect balance of fruit flavors, smooth velvety tannins, and zesty acidity. Their popularity has increased over the decades and made them a favorite among wine lovers worldwide.

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