Greg awarded the exceptional new-vintage handcrafted Bordeaux-style white blend a handsome 94+/100 rating.
Greg describes Celestina as a “noteworthy expression of its unique southern coastal terroir. This signature wine is an elegant white…that perfectly captures the distinct grassiness, minerality and salinity of the cool, coastal maritime climate of the Agulhas Wine Triangle.”
Celestina, a passion project of Caroline, is a blend of equal parts sauvignon blanc and sémillon, fermented and matured for nine months, respectively, in seasoned French oak barrels and a 600L Manetti Tuscan clay amphora. “The sauvignon blanc shines in the blend, whilst the sémillon adds palate weight. Understated white peach, citrus, and toasted nut develop more vibrancy on the palate, with seamless mouth-filling richness and texture. It has a beguiling peacock’s tail finish.” – Caroline Rillema.
Caroline: A legendary figure in the South African Wine Industry
Caroline has been influential in South Africa’s wine industry for over four decades, shaping trends and nurturing her passion for wine. Well-known internationally as the Cape Town purveyor of fine wines to the cognoscenti, her eponymous stores, Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar, in Sea Point and Tokai, are known as THE places to go for the very best local and international wines. Caroline also hosts two of the most prestigious tasting events on the South African wine calendar - her hugely successful exclusive annual Red and White Wine Reviews in Cape Town - world-class showcases of unparalleled line-ups of the Cape’s flagship wines.
Celestina Project
Despite her success, Caroline still had more passions to pursue and a dream to fulfil. Enter the Celestina Project. In 2003, she and her husband, Ray Kilian, bought a 3.5ha piece of land 8km from the sea, in Baardskeerdersbos, near Elim in the Agulhas Wine Triangle. The following year, they planted sauvignon blanc and sémillon after recognising the area's potential, given its ancient soils and cool climate. They handle the viticulture themselves and, in 2021, built a boutique winery on the farm. Here, Caroline makes her Celestina, the fulfilment of a long-held dream for her.
Celestina, a heavenly white blend: “The name Celestina, meaning‘ little celestial one,’was chosen late at night, when the sky was pitch-black with the splendid stars in the Milky Way hanging low like jewels above the earth on which our vines are grown.When you’re here in this beautiful landscape with its vast open sky, you get a celestial feeling… like the sky is yours.” – Caroline explains.
The label design: Inspired by the breathtaking Agulhas Wine Triangle, the label design reflects the vibrant tapestry of local fauna, flora, and coastal beauty, paying homage to the stunning landscape where the vineyards thrive.
Tasting notes by Greg Sherwood:
Celestina Agulhas White 2024, WO Cape Agulhas, 13.5% Abv.
“A beautifully bright, crystalline pale canary yellow colour, the aromatics on this 2024 are stunningly pure, fresh and vibrant, bristling with all the maritime energy you would expect, or at least hope for, from a premium Cape Agulhas coastal white. Never prickly, simply zippy and spicy, the aromatics are seamlessly layered with gooseberry, greengage, lemon grass, lemon peel, and delicately savoury, mineral nuances. The palate boasts an energy and fruit concentration that bursts out the glass - tangy, unctuous, and beautifully intense.” (Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
https://gregsherwoodmw.com/2026/04/23/caroline-rillema-making-waves-in-cape-agulhas-tasting-her-2024-celestina-agulhas-white-blend/
Caroline’s favourite food pairings: Tempura prawns, Salt and Pepper squid, Freshly caught kabeljou, Roast chicken, and Zucchini, mushroom, and parmesan pasta.
Purchase Celestina Agulhas White 2024 at Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar stores in Sea Point and Tokai, or online
Retail price: R395 a bottle
Trade price on request – email Caroline Rillema on carowine2@mweb.co.za
“For Caroline, the Celestina project is more than just a bottle of ‘hobby project’ wine, it is a testament to a lifetime spent in the company of great South African winemakers and fine wine.” – Greg Sherwood.
Caroline Rillema has certainly earned her stripes as a true South African wine legend! Follow the journey at www.instagram.com/celestinawine.