The 35th annual Veritas Awards, widely hailed as the “Oscars” of the wine industry, lit up the Cape Town International Convention Centre Ballroom with a glittering gala attended by 550 guests. The evening delivered everything from exquisite food and top-notch entertainment to South Africa’s most celebrated wines and brandies.
KWV Clinches the Top Trophy – Again
The evening’s highest accolade, the Duimpie Bayly Vertex Trophy, went to KWV’s The Mentors Perold 2022, a masterful Cape Blend of Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. The award was proudly received by Izéle van Blerk, Senior Red Winemaker at KWV, on behalf of the cellar and her winemaking colleagues.
This triumph marks KWV’s second consecutive Vertex victory and its third since 2020, a rare achievement that highlights the producer’s ongoing dominance. KWV also claimed the title of Best Wine Producer, sweeping up eight Double Gold medals and 13 Golds across its portfolio.
Strong Performances from Graham Beck and Cederberg
Robertson-based Graham Beck Wines emerged as the Best Achiever in the class for ten wines or less, with four Double Golds and a Gold. Their celebrated Cap Classiques — including the Blanc de Blancs 2019 and Cuvée Clive 2019 — impressed the judges.
Cederberg Wines also excelled, winning four Double Golds and a Gold for its Ghost Corner range, notably Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Nederburg, Perdeberg, and Spier each secured three Double Golds, while a host of others, including Diemersdal, Kleine Zalze, and Beyerskloof, earned two apiece.
Brandy Excellence Shines Through
South Africa’s celebrated brandies also took centre stage. KWV once again led the category, winning two Double Golds for its 12-Year Potstill Brandy and 15-Year Alambic Blend, along with six Golds.
Backsberg Estate followed closely, clinching two Double Golds for its prestigious Sydney Back 25-Year Limited Release and 15-Year Special Release. Other highlights included Van Ryn’s 20-Year Single Potstill Brandy and Simonsig’s XXO Cape Brandy, both earning Double Gold. These results reaffirm South Africa’s position as a world leader in fine brandy production.
Honouring Legends of the Industry
The Veritas tradition of recognising pioneers continued, with three icons receiving the Living Legend Scroll of Honour: Charles Back (Fairview), Michael Back (Backsberg), and Johan Malan (Simonsig). Their leadership and innovation have helped shape the country’s wine and brandy industries over decades.
Making Fine Wines Accessible
To connect award-winning producers directly with consumers, the VinoVeritas online platform allows buyers to order any of the 270 Double Gold and Gold winners for home delivery. In addition, public tastings sponsored by Deloitte will be held in Cape Town (23 October), Durban (28 October), and Johannesburg (5 November).
A Showcase of Excellence
With over 1 200 entries judged by 88 local and international experts, the 35th Veritas Awards underscored the richness of South African wine and brandy. From KWV’s commanding repeat victory to the standout performances of Graham Beck, Cederberg, and Backsberg, this year’s edition was a glittering celebration of craftsmanship, legacy, and innovation.
