pageview

News

Made by mavericks: Bellingham’s wine legacy meets modern culinary excellence

Partner

February marks a special time in the winemaking calendar as harvest begins, showcasing Bellingham’s dedication to exceptional winemaking. Since 1693, this pioneering producer has crafted wines that perfectly balance innovation with tradition – a philosophy captured in their ethos: “We craft. You enjoy.” It’s a simple yet powerful statement that embodies generations of expertise: meticulous care yields maximum enjoyment. 

Bellingham white-wine maker Ricardo Cloete celebrates the gnarled history of Certified Heritage Vineyards on site in Durbanville, Cape Town.

A heritage of innovation
The estate’s revolutionary chapter began in 1943 under Bernard and Fredagh Podlashuk, who transformed Bellingham into a beacon of South African winemaking innovation. Their passion for excellence led them on a post-World War II research journey to the South of France, where they studied contemporary winemaking techniques. 

Today, maverick winemakers Ricardo Cloete and Richard Duckitt continue this legacy through the premium Bernard Series, where two wines particularly exemplify Bellingham’s craft: the Old Vine Chenin Blanc and Bush Vine Pinotage. A simple principle guides their approach: they sow innovation so wine lovers can reap moments of pleasure. 

Bellingham red-wine maker Richard Duckitt in situ in the Bellingham Barrel Store.

The Bernard Series: Old Vine Chenin Blanc and Bush Vine Pinotage 
The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc showcases Bellingham’s pioneering spirit and is one of the most highly awarded wines in South Africa, most recently being awarded Five Stars from the Platter’s wine guide for the second year running. The grapes are grown in a single vineyard planted in 1983 in Cape Town’s Durbanville region. These unirrigated vines, rooted in weathered shale and granite soils, produce grapes of remarkable complexity. Through meticulous two-phase harvesting and careful fermentation in both foudres and French oak barrels, the wine develops beautiful layers of stone fruit, pineapple, green apple, and ripe lime notes.  This versatility makes it an exceptional food wine, particularly brilliant with fresh seafood, creamy pasta dishes, or traditional South African mosbolletjies (a traditional Afrikaner or Cape Dutch sweet bun) served with farm butter. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bellingham Wines (@bellingham_wines)

The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage demonstrates masterful handling of South Africa’s signature variety. Grown in vineyards with Atlantic Ocean influence (80% Darling, 20% Stellenbosch), this wine undergoes open-top concrete tank fermentation and 14 months in French oak. The result is a refined expression of bright cherry, plum, and raspberry notes, with subtle hints of spice and dark chocolate, complemented by elegant tannins. For a traditional pairing that brings out the wine’s complex character, try it with moskonfyt, a beloved South African grape syrup that adds a touch of sweetness to the experience. 

We craft. You enjoy
As South Africa’s largest producer of wines from Certified Heritage Vineyards, Bellingham stands at the forefront of preserving the country’s viticultural heritage. They have been working with old vines for more than 20 years and pioneered Old Vine recognition with their 2002 Maverick Chenin Blanc, years before the Old Vine Project’s formal establishment in 2016. This commitment to heritage, combined with innovative winemaking under Cloete and Duckitt’s guidance, ensures that every bottle delivers exceptional quality – where attention to detail consistently yields award-winning output. 

The winery’s approach emphasises minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to express itself naturally while employing state-of-the-art techniques to craft wines that are both complex and thoroughly enjoyable. It’s this balance of tradition and innovation that makes each bottle special – their investment in the craft creates lasting memories for wine enthusiasts. 

Bellingham wines will be served at the upcoming Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards on 31 March 2025. In collaboration with the Woolworths WCellar Sommelier Team, the Old Vine Chenin Blanc and Bush Vine Pinotage are now available at selected Woolworths stores and online.

Bellingham is a member of DGB, the official wine sponsor for the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, happening on 31 March 2025. Stay tuned to Eat Out platforms for all the latest updates.

Leave a comment

Promoted Restaurants

Eatout