There’s something quietly satisfying about a wine story that feels rooted in timing as much as technique. Tokara’s Limited Release Pinotage 2023 being named Best Pinotage in South Africa by the Platter’s Wine Guide 2025 lands not just as another accolade, but as a fitting marker in the varietal’s centenary year. Pinotage turns 100 this year, and Tokara’s win feels less like coincidence and more like a considered alignment of place, patience and people.
Perched above the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg region, Tokara has long been associated with precision — in the vineyard, the cellar and the experience it offers visitors. This latest recognition reinforces that reputation, but it also invites a closer look at how the estate continues to refine rather than reinvent its approach.
“Pinotage is part of South Africa’s wine DNA,” says Head Winemaker Stuart Botha, and it’s clear this particular wine was made with that responsibility in mind. The Limited Release 2023 reflects a careful reading of the Simonsberg terroir — structured, confident and quietly expressive, rather than showy. In a year heavy with symbolic weight for the cultivar, the wine feels grounded rather than celebratory for celebration’s sake.
What’s equally telling is the depth of Tokara’s showing in the guide. Four additional wines received five-star ratings: the Director’s Reserve Red and White 2022, the Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2023, and the XO Potstill Brandy. It speaks to consistency — not a single standout moment, but a steady, long-term commitment to quality across styles and categories.
Managing Director and Cellar Master Karl Lambour attributes this to years of investment and restraint, and that sentiment resonates. Tokara’s success doesn’t feel hurried. It’s the result of decisions made over decades, not seasons — a theme that mirrors the estate’s broader philosophy.
Beyond the bottle, Tokara continues to hold its own on the global stage. Its recent ranking at number 71 on the World’s Best Vineyards 2025 list reflects something South African estates are increasingly recognised for: the ability to offer wine as part of a larger, layered experience. Here, vineyard views, food, art and architecture work together without overwhelming the wine itself.
At the centre of it all are GT and Anne-Marie Ferreira, whose 25-year stewardship has shaped Tokara into what it is today — an estate where innovation doesn’t eclipse identity. Their influence is felt not only in the wines, but in the calm confidence with which the farm continues to evolve.
As Pinotage marks its centenary, Tokara’s achievement feels like a reminder of what South African wine does best when it slows down: letting place lead, trusting process and allowing excellence to speak without too much fanfare. It’s a moment worth noting — not just for Tokara, but for the ongoing story of Pinotage itself.
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Images: Supplied
