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Pinotage Sweet 16 for L’Avenir Winemaker Yesterday, 22 January 2024, marked the start of the 16th vintage at L’Avenir for winemaker Dirk Coetzee. At a time when winemakers who commit to the long haul are increasingly becoming a rarity, Dirk’s journey at L’Avenir is distinguished by reaching frontiers and a remarkable heartbeat for Pinotage. While L’Avenir’s specialisation in Pinotage was clearly established by Dirk’s mentor, Francois Naude, in the 1990’s, he managed to take it Read more…

Top 10 award highlights L’Avenir’s Pinotage leadership The 2020 L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage was selected as a winner at the 2023 Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards. This competition was established in 1997 and recognises the finest expressions of this quintessentially South African variety. It is the 10th time that L’Avenir was selected for this award, supporting this Stellenbosch specialist’s pursuit of Pinotage mastery through single vineyards expressions of the variety. “We are steadily elevating the Read more…

L’Avenir Single Block Chenin Blanc Platter’s 5 star rating confirms its class The L’Avenir Single Block Chenin Blanc 2020 was awarded a Five Star rating in the 2022 Platter’s South African Wine Guide. This follows a 96 point score in Decanter Magazine for the 2019 vintage, upholding the standard of this remarkable old vine Chenin Blanc. L’Avenir’s Single Block Chenin Blanc is produced from a vineyard planted in 1971, which is certified as a Heritage Read more…

L’Avenir Single Block Chenin Blanc scores 96 at Decanter World Wine Awards The L’Avenir Single Block Chenin Blanc 2019 was rated as the best Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc at the Decanter World Wine Awards, with a score of 96 points. Chenin Blanc is the cornerstone – hence the local name Steen – and most planted variety in South Africa, with most of the revered wines coming from Stellenbosch. “To be selected as the top Chenin in Stellenbosch Read more…

Decanter selects L’Avenir Single Block as a leading old vine Chenin Blanc The L’Avenir Single Block Chenin Blanc 2019 was listed as one of South Africa’s top old-vineyard Chenin Blancs, with a rating 93 in Decanter Magazine. In an article by Christian Eedes in the June issue of Decanter, Chenin Blanc was described as “arguably South Africa’s greatest vinous asset”, and the region’s top old vine Chenin Blancs were rated. L’Avenir’s Single Block Chenin Blanc is Read more…

Showcasing the new wave of specific Pinotage A next generation of Pinotage specialists that produce site-specific, single vineyard wines are expessing the versatility and refinement of this proudly South African varietal. L’Avenir winemaker, Dirk Coetzee, and viticultural consultant, Dr Etienne Terblanche, presented a virtual tasting of the Western Cape’s top Pinotages to a group of 16 selected USA media and sommeliers. “With the benefit of more than 60 vintages of Pinotage in total, as well Read more…

Prof Thuli Madonsela receives top French honour at L’Avenir The Ambassador of France to South Africa, His Excellency Aurélien Lechevallier bestowed the distinction of Chevalier de la légion d’honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) upon Stellenbosch University Professor and former South African Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, on behalf of the French President Emmanuel Macron at L’Avenir Wine Estate. The Legion of Honour is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil, established Read more…

French Minister leads delegation to L’Avenir Estate The French Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Franck Riester, led a delegation from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to L’Avenir Wine Estate, where a wine industry round table was presented, to discuss opportunities for collaboration between France and South Africa. The delegation included the French Ambassador to South Africa Aurélien Lechevallier, as well as French Member of Parliament, Amélia Lakrafi, and the new French Consul Read more…

L’Avenir reopens it’s gates As the government enforced prohibition in South Africa has finally been lifted, the L’Avenir team reflects on a period where retaining livelihoods and jobs was a key priority. Due to the ban on alcohol, over 430 wineries and grape producers are expected to go out of business in the next 18 months, possibly costing 21 000 jobs. Yet, L’Avenir has managed to retain jobs and ensure that, through it’s longstanding relationship Read more…

L’Avenir lives: Elmarie Swarts If you page through the guest book at the L’Avenir Country Lodge, a definite recurring message is the friendliness of Elmarie Swart. First impressions last and the warm welcome that guests receive from Elmarie has touched many – to the extent that they become regulars and close friends. Elmarie will celebrate her second decade at L’Avenir next year and has seen the lodge develop through different phases of the Estate’s history. Read more…