Alvi’s Drift 221 Pinotage is a smooth, gastronomic red wine from Worcester, made from 100% Pinotage from selected vineyards in the Scherpenheuvel wine ward. The wine belongs to the 221 Range, a series that honors Oupa Alvi’s legendary rugby story: in 1928, as a 19-year-old, he scored the first try against the All Blacks on African soil and later became the 221st player selected for the Springboks.
This Pinotage comes from Worcester, in the Breede River Valley.
Location / Origin: The grapes come from selected Pinotage vineyards in the Scherpenheuvel wine ward, within Worcester. This origin is a specific part of the Breede River Valley.
Climate & Influences: The Mediterranean microclimate, soil diversity, and water from the Breede River provide the vineyards with excellent conditions for ripe, characterful grapes.
Vineyard management: The vineyards are sustainably fertilized with natural compost made on the farm itself. This fits with Alvi’s Drift's broader focus on healthy soils and consistent grape quality.
Vineyard & Harvest: The grapes are harvested by hand in the cool early morning, ensuring that only healthy, ripe bunches in optimal condition reach the cellar.
The vinification is focused on juicy red fruit, soft tannins, and a lively Pinotage style.
Harvest & Selection: The hand-picked Pinotage grapes are destemmed and crushed. This is followed by a cold skin maceration, allowing color and fruit aromas to be carefully extracted from the skins.
Fermentation: The wine ferments on the skins for at least 7 days. This provides extra color intensity, a soft structure, and more depth to the ripe fruit.
Maturation / Oak aging: At least 30% of the blend comes from wild-yeast fermented Pinotage from predominantly older vines, aged for up to 12 months in American oak. The rest is fermented in stainless steel tanks, bringing freshness, juiciness, and energy to the wine.
Alcohol percentage: With 13.5% alcohol, this Pinotage has sufficient body, while the fresh acidity and silky tannins keep the wine smooth and easy-drinking.
This wine is made from 100% Pinotage.
Pinotage – Worcester: Pinotage is the signature black grape of South Africa and gives this wine its notes of ripe raspberries, red cherries, soft spices, and smooth tannins. In this 221 style, the grape is primarily focused on fruit, softness, and gastronomic versatility.
