2024 Craven Wines Rustenhof Vineyard Cinsault

The Cinsault from Rustenhof Vineyard has become one of the standouts in the Craven range, and it’s easy to see why. The vineyard sits on deep, sandy soils in the Faure subregion of Stellenbosch, just a few kilometres from the ocean. Old bush vines here produce small bunches with plenty of perfume and natural lift – fruit that doesn’t need much doing to it.

The grapes are picked by hand and fermented as whole bunches with native yeasts. After a short time on skins, the wine goes into old oak for ageing before bottling unfiltered. It’s a minimal approach, but one that keeps all the nuance and texture of the vineyard intact.

The result is bright and expressive – red fruit, spice, and a touch of something savoury underneath. It’s light in body but long on flavour, with fine tannins and that sandy, coastal freshness that sets it apart. A pure, quietly confident expression of modern Stellenbosch.