A page in Cellar Master Johan Jordaan’s notebook is where Ideology often begins: a vine sketch, a tasting impression or a thought scribbled between vineyard and cellar. For 2026, that thought was Grenache. Johan’s notes now appear on the redesigned labels, but the real story is to be found inside the bottles.

A Bright Idea

Ideology, where “ideas” meet “oenology”, gives our winemakers room to pursue something beyond the usual range. There is no fixed formula. When the fruit, vine or site suggests a possibility worth exploring, we follow it, producing the wine once as a single, limited batch. This year, winemaker Tania Kleintjes worked with organically grown fruit from Paarl to explore Grenache in white, red and rosé.

From Blanc to Noir

Late ripening and at home in warmer regions, Grenache is remarkably versatile. Grenache Blanc is the white-berried mutation of Grenache Noir, making this trio a study of one grape family across the colour spectrum.

The fruit comes from Paarl vineyards rooted in deep, weathered shale. The soil’s high clay content holds water through the region’s warm, dry conditions, providing a shared foundation before the three wines take separate paths through the cellar.

The Grenache Noir underwent semi-carbonic maceration during natural fermentation. Some berries fermented intact, bringing perfume and fruit to the fore while keeping the wine supple. It is easy to see why Johan calls Grenache “the grape that took Cinderella from the kitchen to the ballroom”: a once-overlooked variety revealed as poised and expressive.

The Grenache Blanc was fermented at controlled temperatures in stainless steel to preserve freshness, then spent four months on its gross lees to develop texture and structure. It is Johan’s “other great white”, generous in character yet balanced and precise.

The Grenache Rosé, led by Grenache Noir with smaller portions of Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc, was made without skin contact and handled much like a white wine. Four months on gross lees brought texture to its pale, precise frame. Rather than merely occupying the space between the other two, it offers a distinct third interpretation of Grenache.

Together, the wines show how one grape varietal can respond to three very different ideas. Most ideas stay on the page. These three made it into the bottle.

Discover the Ideology Grenaches exclusively on our online shop or at the farm.

Shop Ideology Grenache Blanc / Shop Ideology Grenache Rosé / Shop Ideology Grenache Noir