The 19th annual SA Terroir Wine Awards recently celebrated South Africa’s finest wines, highlighting the importance of terroir in wine production. Held at the prestigious Lanzerac Hotel and Spa on 14 August, the event showcased top-quality wines from diverse wine terrains, with accolades awarded to exceptional producers from across the country.
This year’s top honor, the SA Terroir Trophy for the Top Wine overall, was awarded to Springfontein Estate for their Springfontein Single Vineyard Jonathan’s Ridge Pinotage 2018. This remarkable wine hails from the Springfontein Rim Ward near Stanford, demonstrating the unique qualities of its terroir. The victory also coincides with the upcoming centenary of the Pinotage cultivar, a true South African grape variety.
Lourensford Estate in Somerset West emerged as a dominant force, securing both the SA Terroir Trophy for the Top Estate and the Top Terroir Producer. Their national-winning entries for Cap Classique, Merlot, and Petit Sirah played a crucial role in their success, underscoring the estate’s excellence in wine production.
Single-vineyard wines, which originate from a single vineyard, were also a focal point of the awards. The La Vierge Apogée Pinot Noir 2022, produced by La Vierge in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Ward near Hermanus, clinched the SA Terroir Trophy for Top Single-vineyard Wine, exemplifying the distinctiveness of its origin.
Theewater Ward in the Overberg district was recognized as the Top Area, with Eerste Hoop Wine Cellar near Villiersdorp leading the charge. Their Chardonnay and Red Blend entries, along with five other top-performing wines, contributed to this accolade.
Newly recognized wards also made their mark, including the Agter-Paarl Ward, which produced the national Chenin Blanc winner, Windmeul Chenin Blanc Reserve 2022. Additionally, Bellingham’s The Bernard Series Single Vineyard Albariño 2023 was noted as a standout in the competition, showcasing the potential of the rare Spanish Albariño grape.
The Heritage Vineyards category, for vineyards over 35 years old, highlighted three winners, with the 2022 Koelenhof Stellenbosch 1679 Bushvine Chenin Blanc and the 2023 Piekenierskloof Carel van Zyl Old Vine Grenache Noir taking top honors. For the first time, an old-vineyard noble late harvest wine, Neethlingshof Short Story Collection Maria NLH 2024, was recognized as a winner.
The SA Terroir Wine Awards, in collaboration with sponsors SA Litho and WinField United SA, continue to honor the exceptional quality and uniqueness of South African wines, setting the stage for next year’s 20th anniversary.
