Brookdale Estate is located in the Paarl winelands of the Western Cape, South Africa. Owned by the Rudd family since 2015, the estate covers about 67 hectares, focusing on Mediterranean varietals and Rhône‑style blends (e.g., Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault) alongside flagship old vine Chenin Blanc.

Paarl is a historic and diverse wine region located in South Africa’s Western Cape, not New Zealand. Situated just north of Stellenbosch, it is one of the country’s oldest wine-producing areas and plays a key role in the South African wine industry, home to many established producers and cooperatives.

The region has a warm Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The Berg River provides essential irrigation, while the nearby Drakenstein and Paarl Mountains offer elevation and varying exposures that help moderate the heat. Granite-based soils and cooling afternoon breezes also contribute to the quality and balance of the wines.

Paarl is known for its full-bodied red wines, particularly Shiraz (Syrah), which thrives in the warm conditions and produces rich, spicy styles. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage are also widely planted, with the latter being a uniquely South African variety. Among white grapes, Chenin Blanc – South Africa’s most planted variety – performs well, producing anything from fresh, zesty wines to complex, barrel-aged examples. Chardonnay and Viognier are also notable.

While once overshadowed by Stellenbosch, Paarl has gained renewed attention for its diversity, improved quality, and focus on sustainability, producing wines with both power and finesse.

Grenache, known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the world’s most widely planted and versatile red grape varieties. Believed to have originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain, it spread across the Mediterranean and is now integral to many of the world’s great wine regions. It thrives in hot, dry climates and is particularly drought-resistant, with late-ripening characteristics that require long growing seasons.

Viticulturally, Grenache is vigorous and productive, often grown as bush vines to control yield and improve concentration. It prefers well-drained soils like schist, gravel, and sand, contributing to its rich texture and ripeness.

In Spain, Garnacha is prominent in regions such as Priorat, Rioja (often blended), and Aragón, producing wines with ripe red fruit, spice, and earthy notes. In France, Grenache is the backbone of Southern Rhône blends (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape), offering warmth, red berry fruit, and herbal nuances. It is also widely planted in Australia (notably in McLaren Vale), the U.S. (especially California), and South Africa.

Grenache produces a range of styles—from fresh, fruity rosés to powerful reds and fortified wines. Typical flavours include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, dried herbs, and sometimes leather and liquorice with age. Its soft tannins and plush texture make it both approachable and age-worthy.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.

Mourvèdre (Monastrell in Spain; Mataro in Australia and California) is widely thought to originate from eastern Spain, historically linked to Murviedro (Sagunto) and the Valencia/Jumilla heartlands. Heat-loving and late ripening, it thrives in warm, dry climates and on poor, calcareous, well-drained soils. The variety has small, thick-skinned berries and compact bunches, giving deep colour, firm tannins and notable structure.

Viticulturally, Mourvèdre demands a long growing season and sheltered sites; cool, windy flowering can cause coulure, and tight clusters are susceptible to mildew if humidity rises. Canopy management and yield control are essential to avoid rustic tannins, while careful oxygen management in the cellar helps prevent reductive aromas.

Beyond Spain (Jumilla, Yecla, Almansa), Mourvèdre is a Mediterranean stalwart in southern France—key in the southern Rhône (as part of GSM blends) and the Languedoc-Roussillon, and the signature grape of Bandol in Provence, where it makes some of France’s most ageworthy reds and structured rosés. It is also successful in California (Paso Robles, Contra Costa), Australia (McLaren Vale, Barossa), South Africa and Chile.

Stylistically, Mourvèdre ranges from robust varietal reds to blending components that lend colour, tannin and savoury depth. Typical flavours include blackberry, black plum and dark cherry, with notes of violet, black pepper, liquorice, cocoa, cured meat and wild Mediterranean herbs (garrigue). With bottle age it develops leathery, gamey and earthy complexity. Rosés featuring Mourvèdre—especially from Bandol—are dry, textural and gastronomic, offering red berry, orange peel and a subtly spicy, saline finish.

Grenache, known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the world’s most widely planted and versatile red grape varieties. Believed to have originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain, it spread across the Mediterranean and is now integral to many of the world’s great wine regions. It thrives in hot, dry climates and is particularly drought-resistant, with late-ripening characteristics that require long growing seasons.

Viticulturally, Grenache is vigorous and productive, often grown as bush vines to control yield and improve concentration. It prefers well-drained soils like schist, gravel, and sand, contributing to its rich texture and ripeness.

In Spain, Garnacha is prominent in regions such as Priorat, Rioja (often blended), and Aragón, producing wines with ripe red fruit, spice, and earthy notes. In France, Grenache is the backbone of Southern Rhône blends (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape), offering warmth, red berry fruit, and herbal nuances. It is also widely planted in Australia (notably in McLaren Vale), the U.S. (especially California), and South Africa.

Grenache produces a range of styles—from fresh, fruity rosés to powerful reds and fortified wines. Typical flavours include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, dried herbs, and sometimes leather and liquorice with age. Its soft tannins and plush texture make it both approachable and age-worthy.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.

Mourvèdre (Monastrell in Spain; Mataro in Australia and California) is widely thought to originate from eastern Spain, historically linked to Murviedro (Sagunto) and the Valencia/Jumilla heartlands. Heat-loving and late ripening, it thrives in warm, dry climates and on poor, calcareous, well-drained soils. The variety has small, thick-skinned berries and compact bunches, giving deep colour, firm tannins and notable structure.

Viticulturally, Mourvèdre demands a long growing season and sheltered sites; cool, windy flowering can cause coulure, and tight clusters are susceptible to mildew if humidity rises. Canopy management and yield control are essential to avoid rustic tannins, while careful oxygen management in the cellar helps prevent reductive aromas.

Beyond Spain (Jumilla, Yecla, Almansa), Mourvèdre is a Mediterranean stalwart in southern France—key in the southern Rhône (as part of GSM blends) and the Languedoc-Roussillon, and the signature grape of Bandol in Provence, where it makes some of France’s most ageworthy reds and structured rosés. It is also successful in California (Paso Robles, Contra Costa), Australia (McLaren Vale, Barossa), South Africa and Chile.

Stylistically, Mourvèdre ranges from robust varietal reds to blending components that lend colour, tannin and savoury depth. Typical flavours include blackberry, black plum and dark cherry, with notes of violet, black pepper, liquorice, cocoa, cured meat and wild Mediterranean herbs (garrigue). With bottle age it develops leathery, gamey and earthy complexity. Rosés featuring Mourvèdre—especially from Bandol—are dry, textural and gastronomic, offering red berry, orange peel and a subtly spicy, saline finish.

Grenache, known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the world’s most widely planted and versatile red grape varieties. Believed to have originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain, it spread across the Mediterranean and is now integral to many of the world’s great wine regions. It thrives in hot, dry climates and is particularly drought-resistant, with late-ripening characteristics that require long growing seasons.

Viticulturally, Grenache is vigorous and productive, often grown as bush vines to control yield and improve concentration. It prefers well-drained soils like schist, gravel, and sand, contributing to its rich texture and ripeness.

In Spain, Garnacha is prominent in regions such as Priorat, Rioja (often blended), and Aragón, producing wines with ripe red fruit, spice, and earthy notes. In France, Grenache is the backbone of Southern Rhône blends (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape), offering warmth, red berry fruit, and herbal nuances. It is also widely planted in Australia (notably in McLaren Vale), the U.S. (especially California), and South Africa.

Grenache produces a range of styles—from fresh, fruity rosés to powerful reds and fortified wines. Typical flavours include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, dried herbs, and sometimes leather and liquorice with age. Its soft tannins and plush texture make it both approachable and age-worthy.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.

Mourvèdre (Monastrell in Spain; Mataro in Australia and California) is widely thought to originate from eastern Spain, historically linked to Murviedro (Sagunto) and the Valencia/Jumilla heartlands. Heat-loving and late ripening, it thrives in warm, dry climates and on poor, calcareous, well-drained soils. The variety has small, thick-skinned berries and compact bunches, giving deep colour, firm tannins and notable structure.

Viticulturally, Mourvèdre demands a long growing season and sheltered sites; cool, windy flowering can cause coulure, and tight clusters are susceptible to mildew if humidity rises. Canopy management and yield control are essential to avoid rustic tannins, while careful oxygen management in the cellar helps prevent reductive aromas.

Beyond Spain (Jumilla, Yecla, Almansa), Mourvèdre is a Mediterranean stalwart in southern France—key in the southern Rhône (as part of GSM blends) and the Languedoc-Roussillon, and the signature grape of Bandol in Provence, where it makes some of France’s most ageworthy reds and structured rosés. It is also successful in California (Paso Robles, Contra Costa), Australia (McLaren Vale, Barossa), South Africa and Chile.

Stylistically, Mourvèdre ranges from robust varietal reds to blending components that lend colour, tannin and savoury depth. Typical flavours include blackberry, black plum and dark cherry, with notes of violet, black pepper, liquorice, cocoa, cured meat and wild Mediterranean herbs (garrigue). With bottle age it develops leathery, gamey and earthy complexity. Rosés featuring Mourvèdre—especially from Bandol—are dry, textural and gastronomic, offering red berry, orange peel and a subtly spicy, saline finish.