Scions of Sinai 'Atlantikas' Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2024

From the coastal bushvine vineyards of the Lower Helderberg, 'Atlantikas' is Bernhard Bredell’s energetic and maritime-inflected take on Pinotage. Harvested early and handled delicately, this bottling highlights the lighter, fresher expression of South Africa’s native grape—a true “alternative red” in style and spirit.

• WINEMAKER: Bernhard Bredell

• FARMING: Dry-farmed and practicing organic (uncertified)

• VARIETY: 100% Pinotage

• TERROIR: From two of the most maritime Pinotage bushvine vineyards in Stellenbosch, planted on sandy soils just inland from False Bay.

• VINIFICATION: Grapes are harvested early; 50% are direct-pressed for minimal skin contact, resulting in lower extraction. Fermented with native yeasts.

• TASTING NOTES: Juicy and bright with red cherry, sour cherry, and sweet herb tones. Light-bodied and vibrant with a refreshing grip and an excitingly long, mouthwatering finish.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Chilled duck breast, grilled tuna, char siu pork, or lightly spiced lentil stew.

• ALCOHOL: 12%

From Our 2025 Bottle Cult Notes:

Scions of Sinai Atlantikas Pinotage is Bernhard Bredell’s spirited, maritime-inflected take on South Africa’s native grape—Pinotage—reimagined with freshness, finesse, and a deep sense of place. Developed in 1925, Pinotage is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and while smoky, brambly notes are hallmarks of the grape’s character, elegance isn’t always part of the package. Bernhard, a seventh-generation winemaker with roots stretching back over 160 years in the Lower Helderberg, manages to bring that
elegance into focus.

He launched Scions of Sinai in 2016 to honor his family’s legacy and the old, dry-farmed bush vines his grandfather planted in the '60s and '70s. Inspired by the granite outcrop known as Sinai Hill, Bernhard’s mission is to craft wines that reflect the purity, honesty,
and soul of their coastal terroir. Atlantikas comes from two of the most maritime Pinotage vineyards in Stellenbosch, planted on sandy soils just inland from False Bay. Here, the cold sea breeze lends lift and brightness, and Bernhard’s delicate touch—early harvest, partial direct press, and native yeast fermentation—results in a light-bodied, juicy red full of energy.

Expect a vibrant mix of red cherry, sour cherry, and sweet herbs, wrapped in a refreshing grip with a long, mouthwatering finish. It’s a Pinotage that feels more like a breezy coastal red than a bold classic—perfect with grilled tuna, chilled duck breast, or char siu
pork. Chill it down, pour it freely, and let it transport you to the wind-kissed vineyards of the Cape. —Simi Grewal, DECANT co-founder