5 South African Wines to Celebrate Grenache Day
International Grenache Day falls on Friday, 18 September 2026, celebrating one of the wine world’s most versatile grape varieties. Known for its fragrant red fruit, spice and ability to express a remarkable sense of place, Grenache has found an increasingly compelling home in South Africa.
From established favourites to exciting new releases, Dan Nicholl, the host of Dan Really Likes Wine selects five bottles that demonstrate why South African Grenache is having a moment.
Electric Mud
Until recently, Electric Mud sparked happy memories of the seminal Muddy Waters album; now, it also means wine, thanks to Jean Smit’s new Grenache. Fast gaining cult status, it’s a new direction for the Damascene winemaker, and is as good an anything he’s produced – which is high praise indeed.
David & Nadia
Recently spotted by the glass at The Library, Madrid’s impossibly cool wine bar, the David & Nadia grenache noir must be doing something right if it’s catching the eye of one of Spain’s great wine hangouts. The Swartland is a natural home for grenache, and the Sadies make the point emphatically.
Thief In The Night
Dry farmed bush vines from the cool nights and warm days of Piekenierskloof provide the springboard for fruit brings a tear to Duncan Savage’s eye when he talks about it; drink the resulting grenache, and you’ll discover why. Masterful winemaking completes a wine eye-catching even by Savage’s high standards.
Brookdale
A double win for Paarl: Tim Rudd’s Brookdale estate is giving the region some much-needed time in the spotlight, and the under winemaking team of Xander Sadie and Shanice du Preez, the whispers are growing about the potential of grenache in Paarl. Xander’s famous father Eben’s Soldaat has some competition looming.
Momento
Pinotage has Beyers Truter, chenin blanc has Ken Forrester, cap classique has Pieter Ferreira – and grenache has Marelise Niemann. Four different options from Piekenierskloof, Riebeekberg, Paardeberg and her local Bot River showcase a wondrous spread of origin – and South Africa’s definitive producer of grenache.
Together, these five wines capture the energy and excitement surrounding South African Grenache – and offer five excellent reasons to raise a glass this Grenache Day. For more daily wine advice, follow Dan Really Likes Wine the podcast, on Instagram or TikTok.
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