In an extraordinary demonstration of craft, heritage, and consistency, KWV has once again set the benchmark at the 2026 Veritas Awards. The Paarl-based producer secured two of the competition’s highest accolades: the prestigious Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Trophy and the Top Achiever title for cellars entering eleven or more wines—a title KWV has now claimed for the sixth time in seven years.
With three consecutive Vertex victories and four consecutive Top Achiever titles under its belt, KWV’s latest performance solidifies its status as a dominant force in South African winemaking and distilling.
Sparkling Greatness: Laborie Blanc de Blancs Claims Top Honours
The crown jewel of the competition was the Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020, which captured the coveted Veritas Vertex Trophy. In doing so, it became only the third Cap Classique to achieve overall champion status since the award was introduced in 2017.
The Vertex victory caps an exceptional awards run for the 2020 vintage. Just weeks earlier, it was named Best Wine on Show at the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, while also earning 96 points at the 2026 Investec Trophy Wine Show and receiving “Best Value Sparkling Wine of the Year” honours from Master of Wine Tim Atkin.
Behind the silverware lies a story of patience and resilience. Crafted during the challenges of 2020 from a single Chardonnay block in Wellington, the wine spent five years maturing on its lees.
“The 2020 Blanc de Blancs was made during Covid, so there is something quite special about seeing something so beautiful emerge from such a challenging time,” notes Kobus van der Merwe, KWV Senior Winemaker for White Wine. Van der Merwe emphasizes that vineyard selection, micro-decisions, and patient cellar work were essential to achieving this standard.
Unmatched Breadth: Record Medals and Maturation Mastery
KWV’s Top Achiever title was supported by a record 12 Double Gold wine medals—surpassing its previous high of eight in 2025—alongside 12 Gold medals. The winning lineup spanned Cap Classique, premium red wines, fortified wines, and mature vintages.
A major highlight was the Museum Class, where KWV earned eight Double Golds. Six went to The Mentors collection, proving the exceptional ageability of the range. Outstanding vintage consistency was also on display, with consecutive releases of Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay (2024 and 2025), The Mentors Chenin Blanc (2024 and 2025), and The Mentors Cabernet Franc (2022 and 2023) all securing Gold medals.
KWV Chief Winemaker Justin Corrans attributes the historic tally to team-wide dedication, noting that delivering quality across diverse grape varieties, terroir, and vintages requires exceptional skill at every stage.
World-Class Spirits Extend the Tally
The celebration extended to KWV’s spirits portfolio, which added two Double Gold medals for KWV 15 Years Brandy and KWV XO Brandy. Five additional Gold medals were awarded to the 5, 10, 12, and 20 Years expressions, alongside the VSOP Signature Release, reinforcing KWV’s global reputation for premium brandy.
Significance for South African Wine
KWV’s sweep holds rich significance for the industry. A Cap Classique taking top overall honours highlights the world-class quality of South Africa’s sparkling wine category. Furthermore, KWV’s dominant medal haul across fresh vintages and older Museum wines demonstrates that local producers can pair large-scale consistency with refined, terroir-driven excellence.
