The journey to Donkiesbaai is one of gravel roads, winding mountain passes, and deep roots - both in the soil and in the story of South African wine. Up in the Piekenierskloof, where sandy soils force old bush vines to dig deep into the Cape Fold Mountains for survival, winemaker Duran Cornhill finds his inspiration. This is where the new vintages of Donkiesbaai Cinsault 2024 and Donkiesbaai Suiderkruis 2022 take shape, two wines that speak of heritage, place, and the quiet evolution of style.
Cinsault: From Unsung Hero to Star of the Show
Cinsault (san-soh), also known as Cinsaut, has been part of South Africa’s winemaking fabric since the 19th century. Long valued for its ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions, its juicy berries and generous yields made it indispensable in the Cape’s great blends of the past century. It contributed freshness and charm to many a “Cape Blend,” but it was rarely celebrated on its own.
Today, that’s changing. A new generation of winemakers has recognised Cinsault’s true potential: light-bodied, fruit-driven, and disarmingly versatile. Equally at home chilled on a summer afternoon or served at room temperature with a winter meal, Cinsault is finally enjoying its moment in the spotlight.
At Donkiesbaai, that spotlight is cast on a vineyard with serious credentials. Planted in 1967, the Cinsault vines used for the Donkiesbaai Cinsault 2024 are Certified Heritage Vineyards through the Old Vine Project. These gnarled, unirrigated bush vines grow in poor, sandy soils at 650m above sea level, producing small yields of concentrated fruit. On their own rootstock - a rarity in South Africa - they deliver a purity and depth that younger vineyards cannot match.
The result is a wine that feels effortlessly modern while deeply connected to the past. The 2024 Cinsault is pale ruby in colour, brimming with notes of cranberry, candy floss, and pomegranate, underpinned by spice and musk. Light on its feet yet with subtle complexity, it’s the kind of red you’ll reach for again and again - juicy, refreshing, and endlessly food-friendly.
Suiderkruis: A Fuller Expression of the Piekenierskloof
But Cinsault’s story doesn’t end with its solo performance. It also plays a crucial role in Donkiesbaai Suiderkruis 2022, where it joins Syrah, Grenache Noir, and Grenache Blanc in a Southern Rhône-inspired blend. The name “Suiderkruis” (Southern Cross) reflects not only the stars that have guided sailors in the southern hemisphere for centuries, but also the sense of direction this wine brings to the Donkiesbaai range.
The 2022 vintage marks a shift in both blend and style. With Syrah now leading at 62%, alongside 17% Grenache Noir, 17% Cinsault, and 4% Grenache Blanc, Suiderkruis has evolved into a fuller-bodied wine. Where the Cinsault and Grenache Noir bring brightness and lift, the Syrah lends weight, depth, and darker fruit tones, while the Grenache Blanc adds a delicate floral lift.
In the glass, the Suiderkruis 2022 shows bold aromas of mulberry and black cherry, with savoury notes of prosciutto and a mineral edge of flint. Medium-bodied with ripe tannins and a lively acidity, it finishes long and complex - a wine that reveals itself in layers.
A Journey Worth Taking
Together, these two wines tell the story of Cinsault’s versatility: from the pure, old-vine expression in the Donkiesbaai Cinsault 2024 to the supporting, harmonising role it plays in the Suiderkruis 2022 blend. They are wines born from rugged vineyards, crafted with a deep respect for heritage, and inspired by both land and sky.
Whether you’re looking for a red wine crush to carry you through every season, or a blend that takes you on a journey, the new vintages from Donkiesbaai are ready to pour their stories into your glass.
