Some wines get sold on shelves.
Others end up on the world’s best tables.
Today, Spioenkop belongs firmly in the latter camp.
From FYN in Cape Town to CORE by Clare Smyth and Ikoyi in London, Spioenkop has quietly become one of South Africa’s most sought-after fine wine producers.
And once you taste them, it’s not hard to understand why.
Koen Roose — Belgian by birth, Elgin obsessive by choice, has spent nearly two decades proving that this steep, wind-cooled corner of the Cape can produce wines of startling precision and individuality. Riesling that Tim Atkin MW calls “the Cape’s best Riesling.” Pinotage described as “Elgin’s best Pinotage.” Chenin Blancs of such minerality and tension they’ve become cult favourites among sommeliers and collectors alike.
These are not “made” wines.
No tricks. No cosmetics. No excess.
As Koen puts it:
“A beautiful woman doesn’t need make-up.”
The Riesling alone has become one of South Africa’s modern benchmarks: lime, wet stone, electric acidity and astonishing ageability, now poured at two of London’s most celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants.
But perhaps the most compelling part of Spioenkop is this: production remains tiny, farming painstaking, and with global restaurant demand increasing, availability for private collectors remains extremely limited.
So whatever’s on the table this season, make sure Spioenkop’s in your glass first.
Build your mixed case before stocks disappear into the trade. 10% off every 6-bottle order.
100% Riesling, Elgin
94 Points – Greg Sherwood MW | 17 Points – Jancis Robinson MW | 95 Points – Tim Atkin MW
“You wouldn t expect cool climate Riesling to excel at Spioenkop like it does, but when you consider the higher altitude vineyards and close proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean, as well as the whole Elgin region being classified as second coolest on the Winkler climatic scale, then you begin to see how this temperamental grape has found a natural home in the valley. The 2017 Riesling is a beautifully aromatic expression brimming with notes of lime peel, honeysuckle, green apple, crunchy white peaches and delicate notes of kerosene and petrol rag over a limestone minerality. The palate shows a taut, powerful, exacting structure moulded around tart, crisp glassy lemon and lime acids but supported by a sleek mid-palate loaded with white peach, green apple, candied kumquats and crystalised green figs. Very Germanic in stature and expression, this wine must surely rank among the top Rieslings produced in South Africa. Drink now but absolutely no rush over the next 3 to 5+ years.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
100% Chenin Blanc, Elgin
95 Points – Greg Sherwood MW | 16 Points – Jancis Robinson MW
“The 2021 vintage yielded some incredibly focused, taut and powerful Chenin Blancs across the Cape and this delightful expression from Spioenkop offers up complex aromatics of talc and musk, lemon sherbet, white peach, green apples and exotic tangerine citrus nuances. Like most of the best 2021 expressions, this Chenin Blanc possesses a notable fruit concentration and a piercing crystalline focus with rich, tart layers of tangy acidity, zesty green apple fruits, pear and a crisp white peach finish. Fleshy, taut, and perfectly precise, this is yet another superb cool climate Chenin Blanc example for the converts. Drink now to 2040+.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
