Darling Cellars secures coveted top 12 spot in Shiraz SA Challenge

Darling Cellars' Gustus Shiraz 2021 clinched a prestigious Top 12 Shiraz position at the 11th annual Shiraz SA Challenge in Paarl.

Darling Cellars clinched a prestigious Top 12 Shiraz award at the 11th annual Shiraz SA Challenge in Paarl, from left, Master of Ceremonies Tracey Lange, winemaker Maggie Immelman, and Johan Conradie of Vinventions SA.

A first for Darling Cellars, this award marks a significant achievement, recognising the excellence of an outstanding wine made from the region's signature grape variety.

At the same time, it brings attention to the growing acclaim garnered by Pieter-Niel Rossouw, the Head Winemaker, and the accomplished Darling Cellars team.

Building on Tim Atkin MW's recognition of Darling as Producer Cellar of the Year in November 2022, the brand has continued to collect prominent awards, such as Sir Charles Darling 2019 receiving Darling’s inaugural five-star rating in Platter’s, and Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2020 claiming the Revelation Trophy as the best-performing SA wine at the 2023 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon.

Bush vine with a sea view: The roots of the Darling Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2021, the winner of the Revelation Trophy as the best-performing SA wine at the 2023 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon.

CAPTURING TERROIR: A DARLING WINE

At the heart of Darling's terroir lie bush vines from the cool West Coast, setting the stage for truly distinctive Shiraz. The Top 12 Shiraz winner stems from two quite different blocks, meticulously nurtured over six years. Rossouw and the team’s expertise blend two different flavour profiles: coastal wines bring elegance, softer tannins, and intense spice-driven notes, while their inland counterparts boast pronounced tannins, flavours of red fruit, plum, cherries, strawberries, and sweet floral aromas.

Rossouw explains, "Crafting the 2021 Gustus Shiraz alongside our red winemaker Maggie Immelman, we found the perfect fusion of components. When you taste the wine, you smile, for you know this is what you are seeking for: the essence of a Darling wine.”

The Darling Cellars’ winemaking team: From left Bertrum Titus, White Winemaker, Pieter-Niel Rossouw, Head Winemaker, Maggie Immelman, Red Winemaker, and Anthony Meduna, Winemaker: Pre-Bottling & Blends.

EXPERIENCE WINE AND WILDFLOWERS ON THE WEST COAST

Gustus Shiraz 2021 is available for R135 a bottle through Darling’s online shop at shop.darlingcellars.co.za.

Darling Cellars, located on the picturesque R315 between Malmesbury and Darling, is the place to go to enjoy the Darling Gustus Top 12 Shiraz winner.

Darling Cellars, located on the picturesque R315 between Malmesbury and Darling, is the place to go to enjoy this Top 12 Shiraz winner. The tasting room, managed by Christine Fortuin, gets wonderful reviews. Wine & Dine Wednesdays is a popular event that requires advance reservations.

A first for Darling Cellars: A Shiraz Top 12 award for Darling Gustus Shiraz 2021.

The tasting room is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 to 17:00, Friday from 9:00 to 16:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00, and Sundays are closed.

Visit darlingcellars.co.za for more information, or contact tasting@darlingcellars.co.za or +27 (0)224922276.