A seemingly unstoppable wave of enthusiasm has swept Doolhof Wine Estate’s XCLUSIV rosé to new heights after its latest vintage was named Overall Rosé of the Year – for the second consecutive year – in the influential South Africa Report on wine by Tim Atkin, MW.
Last year, XCLUSIV rosé topped all-time ratings for South African still rosés assessed by Atkin, who topped this achievement by announcing once again the Limietberg rosé one of two of his overall favourites. He described the wine as “a finely judged cuvée”, adding that “South Africa makes some of the greatest wines in the world…its winemakers, growers and viticulturists are some of the most engaging, talented and collaborative on the planet.”
Incorporating insights on 1 831 wines from 351 different producers, the South Africa Special Report is among the most comprehensive overviews of the world’s seventh-largest producer.
“XCLUSIV continues to win friends for Doolhof,” says winemaker Rüdger van Wyk. “When we first released the wine two years ago, our intent was to show what the vineyards at the foot of the Limietberg Mountains are capable of. It has achieved this and more, including casting a light on Doolhof’s entire portfolio.”
Sharing the same score in the report with XCLUSIV this year was Doolhof’s 2025 Estate Reserve Chenin Blanc and 2025 Morestond Chardonnay.
Having rapidly swollen its loyal following with XCLUSIV, however, Doolhof was encouraged to bottle a special release of the rosé this year in magnum (1.5L). Furthermore, a special lunch titled The Pink Table and curated by Chef Pete Goffe-Wood at the farm on October 3 will provide a benchmark showcase hosted by Rüdger, with XCLUSIV and tastings of rosés from Provence, France – the spiritual home of the style.
The event is also a first-hand opportunity to see the remarkable landscape where the wines are made. The Doolhof estate lies in a steep-sided valley. A range of elevations, aspects and soil types conspire with diverse microclimates in creating a unique terroir for the absolute best production of premium quality wines.
The Limietberg is so unique that it enjoys exclusive status under the Wine of Origin scheme, with Doolhof being its only producer. Shielded by soaring peaks in the morning and shaded earlier in the afternoon by the Groenberg Mountain, the vineyards benefit from extended time on the vine, ensuring the fruit ripens slowly and develops exceptional balance and complexity.
The 2026 XCLUSIV rosé emulates the blend of its predecessor with 51% Syrah and 49% Grenache, which was hand-harvested in small crates during cool mornings. Whole-bunch pressing gave the wine its pale salmon hue, while cold fermentation in stainless steel preserved freshness and purity. Post-fermentation lees aging for three months enriched the texture and palate weight.
In his published winemaking notes, Rüdger describes the wine as displaying a pale salmon colour. Delicate aromas of candyfloss, rose petals, and grapefruit rise from the glass. On the palate, chalky minerality is layered with notes of white chocolate and a whisper of Turkish delight. Vibrant yet balanced, the wine lingers with a long, intricate finish.
Doolhof has paired the wine’s elegance with luxury packaging: a beautifully designed bottle finished with a pink glass Vinolok closure, reflecting the estate’s vision of positioning XCLUSIV among the finest rosés in the world.
XCLUSIV rosé is available from select retailers, and at R275/bottle from the estate and its website. The XCLUSIV rosé Magnum is exclusively available from the estate at R600/bottle.
In addition to being open to visitors for wine tastings, the estate shares its spectacular, protected natural environment by welcoming visitors to stay at The Doolhof Country House – a five-star rated property, enjoy glamping by Africamps and to dine at the cellar’s restaurant.
Doolhof is open every day, Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00.
Details about The Pink Table
- Date October 3
- Time From 12pm
- Cost R1 500pp
- Booking https://doolhof.com/doolhof-events/xclusiv-lunch-2026/
