Celebrating milestones at Darling Cellars

The latest accolade added to the already brimming trophy cabinet, is the 5* Platter Award for the Sir Charles Darling 2019, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This wine has a deep red colour with complex layers of black fruit, cedar, red plums, liquorice, chocolate and tobacco, smooth but structured with a long lingering finish.

The Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2021 and Old Bush Vines Cinsaut 2020 each received a 4½* Platter rating. These two wines have constantly been performing well in competitions, both receiving 91 points in the Tim Atkin Report as well!

At the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, South Africa’s largest wine competition, Darling Cellars’ wines received a double array of golden accolades, with two wines awarded Double Gold medals, while another two landed Golds. The Old Grain Silo 2020 (a blend of Shiraz and Pinotage) as well as the Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2021 received double gold status and the Gustus Chenin Blanc 2020 and Gustus Shiraz 2020 was awarded with gold medals.

Another highlight for Darling Cellars was the double gold award received at Veritas for the Gustus Chenin Blanc 2020, as well as the two gold awards for the Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2021 and Blanc de Blanc Brut 2020! The Veritas Awards is the longest running and most prestigious wine and brandy competition in South Africa.

Another milestone is the changing of the labels of the Cap Classique range. We opted for a more classic label with uniformity across the range.

We are immensely proud of these awards and ratings which reflect the consistent commitment to quality wines that is the core of the Darling Cellars strategy.

2022 also marks a year of special events that took place at the newly erected tasting room and venue. The Music Picnic in March is an annual event where local artists perform and proceeds of the event is donated to the Darling Trust, being a charitable trust that assists the Darling community. Following the Music Picnic is the Crush Day. This was once again a sold-out event and friends and family had great fun.

Two very successful Potjiekos events were held at Darling Cellars. The Pot o’ Vine event was held during the busy harvesting season. Suppliers of Darling Cellars supported this fundraising event for Huis van Heerde, a registered Child and Youth Care Centre (children’s home) that provides residential care to 70 children.

The Jo’pot potjiekos event was held in aid of Jo Dolphin - a Special Daycare Centre for persons with severe to profound intellectual disability situated in Malmesbury. A special guest at the event was Marthelize Brink from RSG.

The team at Darling Cellars feels blessed for successes achieved during 2022 and is looking forward to exciting new events and challenges in 2023.