Beeslaar Wines
The hands that took Kanonkop to the world, now under his own name
A young man in love with Pinotage
Abrie Beeslaar graduated in viticulture and oenology in 1997 and took his first step as an assistant winemaker at a cellar in South Africa’s Swartland. There he met Beyers Truter, known as “the king of Pinotage”.
Travelling the vineyards of Swartland with his mentor in search of great grapes, the young man lost his heart to Pinotage, South Africa’s own grape. That encounter set the course of his life.
Twenty years at Kanonkop
In 2003, at twenty-nine, Abrie became winemaker at the great Stellenbosch estate Kanonkop, and for more than twenty years he was responsible for its wines.
Under his direction Kanonkop took centre stage in the world of wine. Abrie was named International Winemaker of the Year at the IWSC three times, in 2008, 2015 and 2017. His Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2015 became the first South African wine to receive 100 points from Tim Atkin MW.
2011: a small vineyard on the Simonsberg
In 2011, at the height of his Kanonkop years, Abrie and his wife Jeanne founded Beeslaar, a winery bearing his own name. On the slopes of the Simonsberg outside Stellenbosch he wanted to make a Pinotage of his own, entirely different from Kanonkop’s.
Beeslaar is a small, family-run winery. For more than a decade Abrie managed both roles; in 2024 he left Kanonkop and now devotes himself fully to Beeslaar.
Pinotage, a grape born in South Africa
Pinotage was created in 1925 by Professor Perold of Stellenbosch University, who crossed Pinot Noir with Cinsault (then called “Hermitage” in South Africa). The two names combined gave Pinotage. Grown almost nowhere but South Africa, it is the pride of South African wine.
Beeslaar Pinotage is aged for 20 months, mostly in French oak. Deep blackcurrant and cherry fruit are layered with chocolate and coffee, and firm yet supple tannins lead to an elegant finish. Young, it suits red meat and spicy Asian dishes; with age, it is especially good with lamb. Made by the same hands, Beeslaar Chardonnay spends 12 months in French oak, with fine acidity and minerality over citrus and green apple. The 2023 season began dry and ended with rain; heat reduced yields, but left grapes of real concentration.
Taj, a younger sibling from Swartland
Swartland is where Abrie first fell in love with Pinotage. About 65 kilometres north of Cape Town, cooled by Atlantic breezes, this land was once wheat fields. Taj Pinotage is Beeslaar’s other Pinotage, made from Swartland grapes. Ripe plum and dark chocolate, silky tannins and a dry finish bring a master’s craft to the everyday table.
A wine the critics love
- Beeslaar Pinotage 2020 — Tim Atkin 96 points, Platter’s Guide 2023 5 stars
- Beeslaar Pinotage 2019 — Tim Atkin 95 points
- Beeslaar Pinotage 2018 — Tim Atkin 96 points
- Beeslaar Pinotage 2015 — Tim Atkin 98 points
- Beeslaar Chardonnay 2023 — Platter’s Guide 4.5 stars (94 points)
The grape that South Africa’s finest winemaker has loved all his life — the answer lies in Beeslaar.