Yesterday saw the launch of the 2026 Platter’s by Diners Club SA Wine Guide — the 46th edition of South Africa’s most trusted wine compass, unveiled once again at Eben Sadie’s shrine to Swartland terroir in the Aprilskloof. And among the thousands of wines assessed by Platter’s 15-strong tasting panel (nearly 8,000 each year!), one name rang out twice with exceptional clarity:
De Kleine Wijn Koöp.
Two Wines of the Year: Hoendertande Grenache Noir 2023 and Liefling Roussanne 2024.
It’s a rare double strike — and a thunderous endorsement of Wynand and Anya Grobler’s boundary-pushing, folklore-infused winemaking. Though we don’t have the newly crowned Wines of the Year (yet…), we do have an exceptional lineup of their top-rated bottlings ready for your drinking pleasure.
The 2026 Platter’s Guide remains the benchmark:
36 Wines of the Year • 316 Five Star wines and brandies • 430 Highly Recommended • 168 Hidden Gems • 130 Buy Now Drink Later • 115 Superquaffers
— plus the all-important context, history and insight that have made it the backbone of South African wine since 1980.
In a year marked by refinement, freshness, expressive fruit and daring “unfruity” savoury styles, the Groblers continue to craft wines that embody South Africa’s modern momentum — esoteric, eclectic, site-specific and richly layered with character.
Scroll down and stock up on the De Kleine Wijn releases you can get your hands on.
#PlattersWineOfTheYear
Husband and wife team, Wynand & Anya Grobler of De Kleine Wijn Koöp at yesterday’s 2026 Platter’s Wine Guide Launch.
De Kleine Wijn Koöp
Top Tips
94 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“The Cinravedre cuvee is a red blend of 50% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, 12% Cinsault and 8% Carignan grown on Granite and Schist soils that was vinified and aged in various sizes of old French oak from 225 litre to 2000 litre foudres, and several sizes in between as well as a few concrete eggs for 14 months. The aromatics are wonderfully expressive showing a fine mix of potpourri perfume, dried herbs and sweet lilac over notions of crushed red currants, smoky black cherries and dusty crushed granite. Delightfully plush, fleshy and full in the mouth, the tannins are sweet and silky, coating the mouth alongside sweet brambly black and red berry fruits, bay leaf spice, dried herbs and a sweet sappy cedary wood spice complexity on the finish. Long, generous and accessible on the palate, this is a very well-crafted expression Southern Rhone style red blend with a subtle sweet sour tangy acidity on the long fruit forward finish. Drink now to 2030+. ” – Greg Sherwood MW.
94 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“Grapes for The Postman Grenache Blanc 2024 were sourced from a vineyard planted in the early 2000s on the Riebeekberg, made with 50% fermentation in older 500-litre oak and 50% in stainless steel tanks, before maturation lasting nine months. This deliciously seductive Grenache Blanc boast a pale crystalline canary yellow brightness accompanied by intricate, complex aromatics of lemon and lime peel, lemon grass, wet stone minerality with a delicate kiss of white flowers, leesy lemon biscuits and white peaches drizzled in honey. Coming from Schist and Granitic soils, the palate packs an impressive intensity with a pithy yellow citrus, tart green apple and white peach fruit concentration. Also delicately flinty and stony, the wet river pebble mineral notes marry well with the wine s tart bright crystalline fruit persistence, making for another very serious white wine from this winery. Drink now to enjoy its overt vivacity or over the next 3 to 5 years as it puts on a little more leesy, savoury complexity.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
