Stark Condé
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Self-taught cellarmaster Jose Conde's first attempt at winemaking was in 2000, and he chose to experiment with his favorite grape, Cabernet Sauvignon. As luck would have it, his father-in-law Hans Schroder farmed arguably the best Cabernet grapes in the region. Made with basic equipment and using traditional methods, the maiden vintage yielded just 2400 bottles, but against the odds and to everybody's surprise the wine went on to win 5-stars in the Platters Wine Guide, rated 92 points in Wine Spectator, and was selected by UK wine writer Oz Clarke as one of the Top 20 Wines of the Year. Nestled in the picturesque Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch, Stark-Condé is a boutique, family-run winery known for its handcrafted, small-batch wines with a strong sense of place. Founded by José Condé in collaboration with his in-laws, the Stark family, the winery brings together tradition, precision, and innovation. The high-altitude vineyards reaching up to 600 meters above sea level benefit from cooler temperatures and granite-rich soils. Stark-Condé's unique approach combines minimal intervention winemaking with meticulous vineyard practices, resulting in wines of balance, depth, and refinement widely recognized among South Africa's finest.
Critic scores: TA 93, D 91