Top wines awarded, and the Anchor Oenology trophy afford one winemaker a trip to any wine region in the world.

Stellenbosch, South Africa – September 9, 2024 – The 2024 Vitis Vinifera Awards took place in the first week of September at the iconic Lanzerac Hotel and Spa. A panel of esteemed judges, including several Cape Wine Masters, spirits experts, and sommeliers, evaluated South Africa’s best wines and spirits.

Panellists: The judging panel, chaired by Cape Wine Master Conrad Louw and included other Cape Wine Masters such as Anton Swarts, Dave March, Dr Caroline Snyman, Linda Birch, Lisha de Villiers, Lizette Tolken, Marlee Malan, and Meryl Weaver. Renowned sommelier Joseph Tongai Dhafana and spirits experts Dr Carla Weightman and Dr Mare-Loe Prinsloo also lent their expertise.

Overall, the Cap Classique wines impressed, with the best examples being Darling Cellars Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc Brut 2021 and Monogram Méthode Cap Classique 2020, showing exceptional complexity and depth of flavour.

The Chenin Blanc wines performed exceptionally well. Although the 2024 vintage Vondeling Petit Blanc Chenin Blanc, Gecko Ridge Chenin Blanc, Jason’s Hill Chenin Blanc and Ashton Winery Chenin Blanc showed varietal typicity, it was an older Chenin Blanc wine, Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2023, that stole the show.

Some standouts 2023 Sauvignon Blanc wines were entered, with the 2024 wines showing more tropical flavours. The star of this category was the Benguela Cove Lighthouse Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2024.

The Chardonnay entries were a mix of qualities. This category consisted of primarily young wines, many unwooded. The oaked examples were consistent, and careful wood treatment ensured balanced wines.

The White blends category impressed overall and were generally well made with expressive fruit and good acidity.

An impressive line-up of refreshing Blanc de noir and Rosé wines with delicate hues was on display. Most wines were beautifully balanced and had a great mouthfeel.

The Merlot category had very few green and stalky wines. Overall, there was good use of oak, and most wines had silky tannins.

Some lovely, perfumed, spicy Cabernet Franc wines with dark fruits were entered. One example is the THOR Age of The Rebel Cabernet Franc 2022. Impressive older examples, like Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 (poured from a magnum bottle), were on display.

Cabernet Sauvignon impressed as a class, with most wines showing outstanding balance.

Panellists felt that winemakers of many of the Shiraz entries overused oak and integrated it poorly. The best examples displayed black cherry fruit and some spice.

Pinotage was a diverse but robust category with some excellent complex examples. The star of this category was a wine from Rooiberg Winery, The Game Reserve Pinotage 2023. Panellists were excited that winemakers were not overusing oak here.

Overall, Bordeaux-styled blends impressed the panel, with some showing finesse and elegance.

Cape Blends wines generally had good structure and complexity. One world-class wine, KWV Classic Collection Cape Blend 2023, earned winemaker James Ochse the coveted Anchor Oenology Trophy for best wine on show.

The sweet wines consisted of an awe-inspiring line-up. From Cape Vintage (Port) to Muscadel. The Double Gold Award went to yet another wine from KWV, the KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny.

Cape Brandy is the stalwart of the South African Spirits industry. The standout entry came from DGB, the Boschendal XO 10-Year-Old Brandy.

Grappa‘s or husk brandies seldom get recognition in spirit competitions. Fynbos Distillery was awarded a Double Gold for their Plain Husk Spirit.

Gin was a mixed bag, with our expert panellists lamenting how many gins were faulty or used inferior-quality spirits. However, it was not all doom and gloom, as the best examples, Mirari African Botanics Gin and Mirari Damask Rose Gin from Time Anchor Distillery, impressed.

The Anchor Oenology Trophy, generously sponsored by Anchor Oenology, is bestowed upon the winemaker or distiller who achieves the highest score for their product of the year. However, this honour is not solely about recognition; it also opens the door to an extraordinary wine destination experience for the deserving winner.

Congratulations to KWV, which won with the KWV Classic Collection Cape Blend 2023, earning winemaker James Ochse a trip to any wine destination in the world.

Congratulations to the outstanding top five 2024 Vitis Vinifera Awards producers, who have once again showcased their remarkable expertise in winemaking and distillation. Among these exceptional talents is the noteworthy Imbuko Wines, which continues to impress year after year.

The esteemed top five producers, whose excellence shone brightly, were Imbuko Wines, KWV, Thor Vineyards, Rooiberg Winery, and Time Anchor Distilleries.

Details about the 2025 Vitis Vinifera Awards will be announced in the last week of January 2025.