Beaumont Wines

BOT RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA

A former Dutch East India Company outpost, Jayne Beaumont and her late husband Raoul bought the Compagnes Drift farm in 1974 and started rebuilding the vineyards.  Initially part of the local co-op, they went on their own in 1994 renovating a cellar that had last been used four decades previously, but is actually the region's oldest, dating back to the 1700s.

Now in the hands of son Sebastian since 2004, he makes one of the few Pinotages that I would happily drink!  The Platter guide has been awarding four and five stars to this producer, and their flagship wine, the Hope Marguerite (named after Sebastian's grandmother) is considered one of the best examples of its genre.