What does retirement look like when you’ve spent your career making Cap Classique?
For Pieter Ferreira, it means more time working with Ann on their own label, new vineyard projects and another grape variety to get to know.
Their latest releases include Birdsong Blanc 2024, Birdsong Rosé 2022, Blanc de Blancs 2022 and South Africa’s first Pinot Blanc Cap Classique, from the 2023 vintage. Purity of fruit and finesse run throughout the wines, with each variety bringing something different to the range.
Christian Eedes reviewed all four for Winemag.co.za on 21 October, awarding scores from 92 to 95 points.
Ann and Pieter’s next chapter
Ann and Pieter started their project in 2012, releasing their first wine in 2019. Since then, they have continued to refine the wines, working with vineyards across different geographical areas and paying close attention to the contribution of each site.
Pieter’s retirement from Graham Beck gives them more time to develop that work together. Their plans include a Chardonnay from a block planted in 1981 at Lammershoek in the Swartland, as well as a half-hectare planting of classic Champagne varieties together in Franschhoek.
The current releases show the breadth of their interests: Chardonnay on its own, Chardonnay blended with Pinot Noir, a Pinot Noir rosé and now Pinot Blanc.
Time, fruit and finesse
Cap Classique gets its bubbles from a second fermentation inside the bottle. The wine then rests on the lees, the yeast remaining after fermentation, which contribute texture and complexity over time.
These releases spend between 18 and 50 months on the lees. Each has its own balance of fruit, acidity and texture, with finesse central to the range.
They also offer a useful comparison of grape varieties. Birdsong Blanc brings Chardonnay and Pinot Noir together, while the other three wines give Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc their own expression.
THE WINES:
R2,785.00Original price was: R2,785.00.R2,645.75Current price is: R2,645.75.Add to basket
Pieter Ferreira Mixed Case 2026
A six-bottle collection of the complete Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique range, bringing together every wine made by Pieter and Ann Ferreira. The case includes two bottles each of the fresh, Chardonnay-led Birdsong Blanc de Blancs 2024 and vibrant Birdsong Rosé 2022, alongside one bottle of the finely structured Blanc de Blancs 2022 and the groundbreaking Pinot Blanc 2023—the first South African Cap Classique made entirely from Pinot Blanc.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, matured for 18 months on the lees. The slightly warmer vintage brings a little more richness to this Chardonnay-led expression.
92 points | Delicious
Christian Eedes describes flinty notes opening into citrus, peach, strawberry and biscuit. His review highlights the wine’s balance, generous fruit and creamy bubbles, finishing dry.
Made entirely from Pinot Noir and matured for 50 months on the lees. This is the longest lees-aged wine among the four releases, with purity of fruit and finesse central to its style.
94 points | Serious
Eedes notes Turkish delight, red berries and spice, followed by a light palate with clear fruit expression, fine bubbles and lively acidity. He emphasises its restraint and firmly dry finish.
Chardonnay remains Ann and Pieter’s first love. This release is 100% Chardonnay, with 10% barrel fermentation and 48 months on the lees.
95 points | Classic
Eedes finds layered fruit, floral and fynbos aromas alongside flinty and yeasty notes. He praises the definition of the fruit, delicate bubbles and lingering, lightly saline finish.
South Africa’s first Pinot Blanc Cap Classique introduces a new variety to the range. From Tulbagh, the wine spends 36 months on the lees.
Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety in its own right, adding another expression to Ann and Pieter’s work with traditional bottle fermentation.
93 points | Distinctive
Eedes describes vivid citrus aromas with flinty notes and touches of ginger and liquorice. Richness is balanced by fresh acidity and gentle bubbles, ending on a savoury note.
Pieter Ferreira makes history with South Africa’s first Pinot Blanc Cap Classique
What does retirement look like when you’ve spent your career making Cap Classique?
For Pieter Ferreira, it means more time working with Ann on their own label, new vineyard projects and another grape variety to get to know.
Their latest releases include Birdsong Blanc 2024, Birdsong Rosé 2022, Blanc de Blancs 2022 and South Africa’s first Pinot Blanc Cap Classique, from the 2023 vintage. Purity of fruit and finesse run throughout the wines, with each variety bringing something different to the range.
Christian Eedes reviewed all four for Winemag.co.za on 21 October, awarding scores from 92 to 95 points.
Ann and Pieter’s next chapter
Ann and Pieter started their project in 2012, releasing their first wine in 2019. Since then, they have continued to refine the wines, working with vineyards across different geographical areas and paying close attention to the contribution of each site.
Pieter’s retirement from Graham Beck gives them more time to develop that work together. Their plans include a Chardonnay from a block planted in 1981 at Lammershoek in the Swartland, as well as a half-hectare planting of classic Champagne varieties together in Franschhoek.
The current releases show the breadth of their interests: Chardonnay on its own, Chardonnay blended with Pinot Noir, a Pinot Noir rosé and now Pinot Blanc.
Time, fruit and finesse
Cap Classique gets its bubbles from a second fermentation inside the bottle. The wine then rests on the lees, the yeast remaining after fermentation, which contribute texture and complexity over time.
These releases spend between 18 and 50 months on the lees. Each has its own balance of fruit, acidity and texture, with finesse central to the range.
They also offer a useful comparison of grape varieties. Birdsong Blanc brings Chardonnay and Pinot Noir together, while the other three wines give Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc their own expression.
THE WINES:
R2,785.00Original price was: R2,785.00.R2,645.75Current price is: R2,645.75.Add to basketPieter Ferreira Mixed Case 2026
A six-bottle collection of the complete Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique range, bringing together every wine made by Pieter and Ann Ferreira. The case includes two bottles each of the fresh, Chardonnay-led Birdsong Blanc de Blancs 2024 and vibrant Birdsong Rosé 2022, alongside one bottle of the finely structured Blanc de Blancs 2022 and the groundbreaking Pinot Blanc 2023—the first South African Cap Classique made entirely from Pinot Blanc.
2 × Pieter Ferreira Birdsong Blanc de Blancs 2024
2 × Pieter Ferreira Birdsong Rosé 2022
1 × Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs 2022
1 × Pieter Ferreira Pinot Blanc 2023
R425.00Add to basket
Pieter Ferreira ‘Birdsong Blanc’ 2024 | R425
A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, matured for 18 months on the lees. The slightly warmer vintage brings a little more richness to this Chardonnay-led expression.
92 points | Delicious
Christian Eedes describes flinty notes opening into citrus, peach, strawberry and biscuit. His review highlights the wine’s balance, generous fruit and creamy bubbles, finishing dry.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 21 October 2026.
R420.00Add to basket
Pieter Ferreira ‘Birdsong Rosé’ 2022 | R420
Made entirely from Pinot Noir and matured for 50 months on the lees. This is the longest lees-aged wine among the four releases, with purity of fruit and finesse central to its style.
94 points | Serious
Eedes notes Turkish delight, red berries and spice, followed by a light palate with clear fruit expression, fine bubbles and lively acidity. He emphasises its restraint and firmly dry finish.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 21 October 2026.
R575.00Add to basket
Pieter Ferreira ‘Blanc de Blancs’ 2022 | R575
Chardonnay remains Ann and Pieter’s first love. This release is 100% Chardonnay, with 10% barrel fermentation and 48 months on the lees.
95 points | Classic
Eedes finds layered fruit, floral and fynbos aromas alongside flinty and yeasty notes. He praises the definition of the fruit, delicate bubbles and lingering, lightly saline finish.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 21 October 2026.
R520.00Add to basket
Pieter Ferreira ‘Pinot Blanc’ 2023 | R520
South Africa’s first Pinot Blanc Cap Classique introduces a new variety to the range. From Tulbagh, the wine spends 36 months on the lees.
Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety in its own right, adding another expression to Ann and Pieter’s work with traditional bottle fermentation.
93 points | Distinctive
Eedes describes vivid citrus aromas with flinty notes and touches of ginger and liquorice. Richness is balanced by fresh acidity and gentle bubbles, ending on a savoury note.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 21 October 2026.
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