Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate cemented its reputation this Spring as one of the country’s leading premium wine producers and innovative tourism destinations, after scooping a haul of prestigious accolades.
The estate claimed the top prize for the overall champion wine at South Africa’s ‘wine Oscars’, the 33rd Veritas Wine Awards, held in Cape Town in October. The Benguela Cove 2019 Joie de Vivre Cap Classique was awarded the supreme Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex trophy, judged the best wine across all categories from over 1,200 entries evaluated blind by experts. In addition, Benguela Cove took home the Best Achiever title for producers entering ten wines or fewer, along with an impressive three Double Golds and two Golds.
The Double Gold winning wines were the 2019 Joie de Vivre Cap Classique, 2020 Benguela Cove Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon and 2022 Benguela Cove Vinography Sauvignon Blanc.
“We are very proud that our wines have been recognised as the very best by the prestigious Veritas judges,” said cellarmaster Johann Fourie. “As a boutique vineyard using exclusively estate-grown grapes, this is a real testament to our terroir and winemaking team.”
Benguela Cove’s accolades extend beyond the cellar to its cutting-edge approach to luxury wine tourism.
The estate was awarded ‘Best of Wine Tourism’ in the category for top Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences in the Cape Winelands by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
The awards, announced at a ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, recognise outstanding wineries across nine international regions. Benguela Cove was the regional winner for the Western Cape, beating 81 other participating estates.
“We are thrilled to be recognised globally for our innovative experiential tourism offerings,” said owner Penny Streeter OBE. “From our sustainable vineyards to eco-pontoon cruises, luxury villas and fine cuisine, we aim to create exceptional and memorable guest experiences that highlight our magnificent coastal setting.”
Benguela Cove also took the Innovative Wine Tourism Experience of the Year trophy in the regional Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards for 2024.
The judges remarked on the estate’s impressive range of amenities, including the seafood and wine-pairing restaurant, wheelchair access, children’s activities and uncompromising service standards.
Set in a rare limestone-rich terroir on the shores of Walker Bay, Benguela Cove combines breath-taking natural beauty with state-of-the-art sustainable facilities. The cooling maritime breezes and low yields enable an exceptional expression of terroir in the estate’s single-vineyard wines.
With consecutive vintages of its Cap Classique awarded Double Gold at the Veritas Awards, Benguela Cove has proven the consistency of its terroir and talent. The Best of Wine Tourism recognition cements its status as a leader in luxury experiential tourism.
For more information visit www.benguelacove.co.za
