Madame May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, owner of Glenelly Estate who previously owned Bordeaux 2nd Growth estate Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, marked a once-in-a-lifetime occasion by striking a gold medallion commemorating 100 years of Pinotage shortly after her 100th birthday on May 17.
“This is more than symbolic,” said Madame May, a Bordeaux-born grande dame of wine whose South African wine journey started at the age of 78. “Pinotage and I were both born in 1925 — it’s a beautiful story that our lives have crossed like this. I’ve always admired Pinotage for its complexity and character, and I’m deeply honoured to be part of this moment.”
Prof. Izak Perold created Pinotage in 1925. The 24-carat pure gold medallion, weighing one troy ounce (31.1 grams), was designed and sculpted by Natanya van Niekerk, award-winning numismatist and director of the private Cape Mint. It forms part of an edition limited to 300 gold medallions.
The medallion features Prof. Perold in relief and bears the parent grape varieties’ names, Pinot Noir & Hermitage (Cinsaut) on either side with Pinotage in the middle, Perold’s signature, and a laurel wreath of grapes, a symbol of South Africa’s rich wine heritage.
The tiny angel flying over a wine glass was inspired by a family story shared by Perold’s granddaughter about him calling exceptional wine “engeltjiepiepie”. Each medallion will be hand-finished with a touch of red enamel, symbolising wines “touched by an angel”.
Madame May struck this launch edition medallion using a hand press capable of applying 1.5 tons of pressure.
“I have always cherished medallions and am a collector myself,” she said, “but this is the first time I’ve seen how one is made — and to do it myself for a cause so close to my heart is unforgettable,” she said, while praising the exquisite design on the Pinotage medallion.
Beyers Truter, chairman of the Pinotage Association noted: “Pinotage should be registered as a South African asset — just like gold. This medallion not only marks the past but will also carry Pinotage’s story into the future. Both the wine and this medallion will increase in worth and meaning as time goes on.”
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