Grenache Gris

Everyday drinking. The combination of aromatic fruit, fresh acidity, mineral character and light skin-contact tannin should pair particularly well with grilled prawns, line fish, sushi, roast chicken, pork and Mediterranean vegetable dishes.

This Grenache Gris originates from a site in the Voor-Paardeberg, an expressive Swartland vineyard farmed by a renowned viticulturist with a deep commitment to the variety. Fruit from this block is also sought after by several of South Africa’s leading Grenache producers. Its dry, granitic sandy soils naturally restrain vigour and contribute finesse, clarity and a mineral, savoury line to the wine. Following the 2025 debut’s five-star rating and Wine of the Year recognition in the Grenache Gris category in the Platter’s 2026 guide, we returned to the same block with considerable excitement. The viticultural approach remained unchanged, focusing on healthy, balanced fruit at moderate ripeness. The result is another vivid, finely structured expression of this rare variety and its Voor-Paardeberg origin. The 2026 Swartland season followed a cold winter with above-average chill accumulation, although rainfall reached only around 60-70% of the winter norm. Budbreak was even, while warm, dry conditions through spring and early summer kept disease pressure low and produced smaller, concentrated berries. January and February were comparatively moderate before a severe March heatwave accelerated ripening and compressed the final harvest window. This Grenache Gris was harvested at moderate ripeness, retaining freshness while allowing the pink skins to develop flavour, colour and fine tannin.

The vinification followed the same gentle approach as the inaugural vintage. The wine spent seven days on the skins - the first three under cool conditions for a slow pre-fermentation maceration, followed by four days of naturally driven fermentation at a restrained temperature. This careful extraction captured the variety’s precise pink rose-gold colour while building a fine, tactile tannic framework without masking its perfume or freshness. After seven days, the must was pressed and transferred to old French oak barrels, where the natural fermentation continued at its own pace. The neutral oak contributed no overt flavour, instead providing a quiet environment in which the fruit, subtle savoury character and mineral core could settle into balance. The wine remained on its fine lees after fermentation, gaining breadth and cohesion before bottling. No cultured yeast, enzymes or fining agents were used. Skin contact, slow natural fermentation, neutral oak and lees ageing preserve varietal purity while giving the 2026 wine its distinctive colour, grip and lingering mouthfeel.

Pilgrim Wines is a unique wine company, dedicated to inspire, teach and surprise. We are a small family-owned business with a passion for wine making. Well-known Winemaker Henry Kotzé (former Morgenster and now at the iconic Mulderbosch) carefully crafts the wines for owner and Viticulturist wife Riëtte Kotzé’s Pilgrim Wines brand. We do not have our own vineyards, at the moment we source our grapes from small pockets of vineyards that we have come across in our everyday paths. These distinct parcels of land, happen to be in our home-grown Stellenbosch area and the amazing Voor Paardeberg regions. We partner with like minded ethical growers and believe in leaving nothing but footprints for the next generation. We focus on innovative methods with tried and tested cultivars, as well as experimental styles with unorthodox, unfamiliar cultivars. We like to discover the new and untried pathways in the journey of grape to bottle.