"There’s a palpable energy and dynamism in everything the Cloof people do, and a desire to connect with ‘lifestyle’ consumers (as opposed to ‘serious’ consumers) that is arguably unsurpassed elsewhere in the winelands. For example, searching the web site for technical information about the wines featured below, I discovered they’ve created a Cloof group on Facebook (if you have to ask …) and laughed out loud at the names of bands they suggested could be playing at their annual ‘Rocking the Daisies’ music festival. Punctured Papsak, The Boom Town Vats, The Grapeful Dead, Elton Demijohn and Phyll Oxera and the Roots were some of the funnier ones.

Writing in the December 2007 issue of Wine & Spirit, Simon Woods selected Lynchpin as one of his favourite three wines in a tasting of high alcohol wines.

Of the many things that make Darling famous (other than its fabulous name, of course!), flowers have been around the longest. The region is home to a claimed 1000 species of indigenous flowering plants, which are showcased during Darling’s annual Wildflower Show (14 – 16 September).

A while ago we were party to a most interesting food and wine pairing evening. Guests were given a range of differently flavoured sauces, and asked to taste them against/with a variety of wines from around the world. While it did not surprise us that the very classic and traditional meat-based sauce suited the widest variety of red wines, we were delighted to discover the world’s ideal food partner for pinotage – beef cooked with Chinese Five Spice and soy sauce.

As befits a wine of its deliciousness the ‘siperazzi’ have been hot on the trail of Daisy Darling. Writing in The Argus (The Good Weekend supplement) on 6 October, Myrna Robins commented: