Barista
is a South African wine brand known above all for its modern Coffee Style Pinotage. The focus is on Pinotage, South Africa's characteristic red grape variety, here combined with ripe fruit and finely balanced roasted aromas. The brand sees its wines as a contemporary and approachable interpretation of this South African speciality.
Barista is a wine brand rather than a traditional estate with a single vineyard site and has traditionally been associated with Val de Vie Estate near Paarl. The Pinotage grapes come from various selected vineyards in the Western Cape.
Barista Pinotage was launched in 2009 by winemaker Bertus Fourie together with Vinimark. Fourie had previously studied how different yeasts, types of wood and levels of toast influence the flavour of Pinotage. This led to a style in which fruit aromas harmonise with notes of coffee, mocha, chocolate and vanilla.
Barista Pinotage uses grapes from selected vineyards in the Western Cape. After fermentation in stainless-steel tanks, the wine matures for several months with carefully selected oak. This gives it additional depth without losing its fruit-driven, supple character.
In the glass, Barista Pinotage shows aromas of ripe mulberries, plums and maraschino cherries. Notes of mocha and vanilla are joined by soft tannins that make the wine pleasantly approachable even when young. It pairs well with grilled meat, pork belly, spicy food and dishes with sweet-smoky flavours.
Alongside the classic Barista Pinotage, the range also includes the more powerful Barista Black. The two wines show different sides of Pinotage and combine South African origin with a modern, clearly recognisable style. Barista does not operate its own tasting cellar, but the wines are available in numerous countries.
Discover selected Barista wines at Vin Africa and get to know a modern interpretation of South African Pinotage.