VITIS VINIFERA AWARDS 2025:
Celebrate Top Wine and Spirit Producers
Double Golds and Top Honours Mark a Standout Year for Wine and Spirits.
Stellenbosch, South Africa – September 8, 2025 – The 13th annual Vitis Vinifera Awards took place in the first week of September 2025 at the iconic Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch, bringing together some of the finest winemakers, distillers, and respected judges to celebrate excellence in wine and spirits.
Panellists: The panel of esteemed judges included:
CWM Natalie van Rooyen, CWM Lizette Tolken, Joseph Tongai Dhafana, CWM Lieza van der Merwe, CWM Liezl Richards, CWM David March, CWM Linda Anne Birch, CWM Janine van Zyl, and CWM Lisha de Villiers.
Wine entries
Category Highlights
- Chenin Blanc: A strong showing across styles, with wines demonstrating South Africa’s global identity. Standouts included Vondeling Petit Blanc Chenin Blanc 2025 and Slanghoek Créme de Chenin 2023.
- Sauvignon Blanc: The largest category, producing five Double Golds. Many 2025 wines showed promise but will benefit from time in the bottle.
- Chardonnay: Excellent examples across vintages, with highlights being Quoin Rock Chardonnay 2022 and Van Zijl Oaked Chardonnay 2025.
- Shiraz: A diverse range, with Stellenview Premium Wines KFK Reserve Shiraz 2021 and Raka Biography Shiraz 2022 leading the pack.
- Merlot: Standout wines included the Bordeaux-like Jason’s Hill Merlot 2021.
- Pinotage: A clear trend toward cultivar purity, with a focus on fruit-forward wines.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Consistently excellent entries with superb balance and fruit.
- Bordeaux Blends: Strong across vintages, with Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend 2020 taking top honours.
- Gin: Entries impressed judges with their overall high quality.
The Vitis Vinifera Awards 2025 once again showcased the depth, diversity, and world-class standard of wines and spirits, cementing its role as a leading competition in celebrating excellence across the industry.
The Anchor Oenology
Best on-show Trophy
The prestigious Anchor Oenology Best on-Show Trophy was awarded to Schalk Opperman of Quoin Rock Wines for his Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend 2020. Remarkably, Schalk secured this coveted accolade in 2023 as well, cementing his reputation as one of South Africa’s most talented winemakers.
The Top 5 performing producers were
The Top 5 performing producers were:
This year’s results again showcased consistency and quality across the South African wine landscape. The top five producers were:
- Rooiberg Winery – 2 Double Gold Awards and 9 Gold Awards
- KWV – 2 Double Gold Awards and 8 Gold Awards
- Slanghoek Wine Cellar – 2 Double Gold Awards and 8 Gold Awards
- Quoin Rock Wines – 2 Double Gold Awards and 5 Gold Awards
- Imbuko – 1 Double Gold Award and 14 Gold Awards, continuing their streak from 2021 as a Top 5 producer
The Best Performers
Overall Trophy Winner
| Producer | Product Name | Vintage |
| Quoin Rock | Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend | 2020 |
Double Gold Award
| Producer | Product Name | Vintage |
| Gravel Junction | Three Peaks Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Oaked Chardonnay | 2025 |
| Jason’s Hill Private Cellar | Jason’s Hill Merlot | 2021 |
| KWV | Laborie Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| KWV | KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box The Italian Job Dry Red | NV |
| Quoin Rock Wines | Quoin Rock Chardonnay | 2022 |
| Quoin Rock Wines | Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend | 2020 |
| Raka Wines | Raka Biography Shiraz | 2022 |
| Rooiberg Winery | Rooiberg Winery Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Rooiberg Winery | The Game Reserve Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Créme de Chenin | 2023 |
| Stellenview Premium Wines | KFK Reserve Shiraz | 2021 |
| Vondeling Wines | Vondeling Petit Blanc Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
Gold Award
| Producer | Product Name | Vintage |
| Abrau Durso | Abrau Durso Victor Dravigny Extra Brut | 2021 |
| Abrau Durso | Abrau Durso Brut D’ Or Riesling | 2021 |
| Abrau Durso | Abrau Durso Reserve Brut | 2024 |
| Abrau Durso | Abrau Durso Brut D’ Or Blanc de Blancs | 2021 |
| Abrau Durso | Abrau Durso Imperial Vintage | 2021 |
| Abrau Durso | Abrau Estates White | 2024 |
| AmperBo Wines | Amperbo Pinotage Tempranillo | 2022 |
| Ayama | Ayama Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vine | 2024 |
| Ayama | Ayama Nero del Capo | 2024 |
| BC Wines | BC Wines Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| BC Wines | BC Wines Tienuur | 2025 |
| BC Wines | BC Wines Cabernet Sauvignon | 2023 |
| BC Wines | BC Wines Pinotage Reserve | 2023 |
| Boplaas Landgoed | Boplaas Shiraz Rosé | 2025 |
| Boplaas Landgoed | Boplaas Cape Vintage The Chocolate | 2024 |
| Boshoff Family Wines | Boshoff Family Wines – Mourvèdre | 2024 |
| Boshoff Family Wines | Katholischer – The Sweet Catholic | 2020 |
| Carlo | Carlo Pinotage | 2023 |
| Craft Link Distillery | Ginologist London Dry Gin | NA |
| Gravel Junction | Three Peaks Chardonnay | 2025 |
| Gravel Junction | Three Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon | 2024 |
| Gravel Junction | Three Peaks Pinotage | 2024 |
| Gravel Junction | Three Peaks Shiraz | 2024 |
| Here & Now Wines | Here & Now Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Hoopenburg | Guru Chenin Blanc | 2024 |
| Hoopenburg | Hoopenburg Chenin Blanc | 2024 |
| Hoopenburg | Guru Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 |
| Hoopenburg | Hoopenburg Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 |
| Hoopenburg | Hoopenburg Pinotage | 2022 |
| Imbuko Wines | Shortwood Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Imbuko Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Bushvine Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Imbuko Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Pink Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Shortwood Rosé | 2025 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 |
| Imbuko Wines | Imbuko Cabernet Sauvignon | 2023 |
| Imbuko Wines | Imbuko Merlot | 2023 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Pinotage | 2023 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Reserve Red Ink | 2023 |
| Imbuko Wines | Van Zijl Shiraz Mourvèdre | 2023 |
| Imbuko Wines | Shortwood Red Wine | NV |
| Jason’s Hill Private Cellar | Jason’s Hill Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Jason’s Hill Private Cellar | Jason’s Hill Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Jason’s Hill Private Cellar | Jason’s Hill Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 |
| Jason’s Hill Private Cellar | Jason’s Hill Cinsault Unwooded | 2024 |
| Jason’s Hill Private Cellar | Jason’s Creek Classic Red | 2021 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Koelenbosch Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Stellenbosch Gold Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Koelenbosch Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Stellenbosch Gold Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Koelenbosch Dry Pinotage Rosé | 2025 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Koelenhof Pinotage | 2024 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Koelenbosch Sangiovese | 2023 |
| Koelenhof Wynkelder | Koelenhof Koelenberg | 2024 |
| Koelfontein Estate | Koelfontein Chardonnay | 2023 |
| KWV | KWV Classic Collection Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| KWV | KWV Classic Collection Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| KWV | KWV Classic Collection Grenache Blanc | 2024 |
| KWV | Laborie Rosé | 2025 |
| KWV | KWV Classic Collection Petit Verdot | 2024 |
| KWV | KWV Classic Collection Pinotage | 2024 |
| KWV | KWV Classic Collection Cape Blend | 2023 |
| KWV | Roodeberg Red Blend | 2023 |
| McGregor Wine Company | McGregor Winery Chenin blanc | 2025 |
| McGregor Wine Company | McGregor Winery Sauvignon blanc | 2025 |
| Melodramatic Craft Spirits | Melodramatic The Temptress | NA |
| Montagu Winery | Lady Mary Montagu Chenin blanc Brut | NV |
| Montagu Winery | Montagu Winery Chenin blanc | 2025 |
| Montagu Winery | Lady Mary Montagu Sauvignon blanc | 2025 |
| Montagu Winery | Montagu Winery Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2023 |
| Montagu Winery | Montagu Winery Red Muscadel | 2024 |
| Naankuse Wildlife Experience | Neuras Nappa | NA |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box The Biscuit Tin Sparkling Brut | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box Cherry Blossom Sparkling Rosé | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box The Wheat Fields Chenin Blanc | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Bob’s Your Uncle The Fat Cat Chenin Blanc | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box The Godfather Pinot Gris | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Bob’s Your Uncle A Perfect Storm Sauvignon Blanc | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box All Day Rosé | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Bella Vino Perky Pink | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box The Bell Pepper Cabernet Sauvignon | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Bob’s Your Uncle Once In A Blue Moon Merlot | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Pandora’s Box The Professor’s Pinotage | NV |
| Nicholson Smith Agencies | Bella Vino Seductively Sweet | NV |
| Niel Joubert Wines | Niel Joubert Merlot | 2022 |
| Olijvenkraal Olive & Wine Farm | Olijvenkraal White Blend | 2021 |
| Quoin Rock Wines | Knorhoek Chenin blanc | 2023 |
| Quoin Rock Wines | Knorhoek Chenin blanc | 2024 |
| Quoin Rock Wines | Quoin Rock Chardonnay | 2023 |
| Quoin Rock Wines | Quoin Rock Nicobar | 2024 |
| Quoin Rock Wines | Quoin Rock Red Blend | 2021 |
| Raka Wines | Raka Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Raka Wines | Raka Pinotage | 2022 |
| Raka Wines | Raka Quinary | 2022 |
| Rietrivier Winery | John Montagu Verdelho | 2025 |
| Rietrivier Winery | John Montagu Pinotage | 2024 |
| Rooiberg Winery | Rooiberg Winery Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Rooiberg Winery | The Game Reserve Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Rooiberg Winery | Rooiberg Winery Colombar | 2025 |
| Rooiberg Winery | Rooiberg Winery Chardonnay | 2025 |
| Rooiberg Winery | The Game Reserve Chardonnay | 2025 |
| Rooiberg Winery | Rooiberg Winery Pinotage Rosé | 2025 |
| Rooiberg Winery | The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2023 |
| Rooiberg Winery | Rooiberg Winery Cabernet Sauvignon | 2024 |
| Rooiberg Winery | The Game Reserve Shiraz | 2024 |
| Sheki Wines | Sheki Wines Brut | 2024 |
| Sheki Wines | Sheki Wines Select Chardonnay Bayanshra | 2023 |
| Sheki Wines | Sheki Wines Select Sangiovese Madrasa | 2023 |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Cuvee Brut | NV |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Legends Barrel Fermented Chenin Banc | 2024 |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Private Selection Chenin Blanc | 2025 |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Vinay Vin Blanc | NV |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Private Selection Rosé | 2025 |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Vinay Vin Rosé | NV |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon | 2023 |
| Slanghoek Wynkelder | Slanghoek Private Selection Shiraz | 2022 |
| Stellenview Premium Wines | Kruger Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 |
| Stellenview Premium Wines | Kruger Family Reserve Rosé | 2024 |
| Stellenview Premium Wines | Kruger Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 |
| Stellenview Premium Wines | Cape Five Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 |
| Stellenview Premium Wines | Cape Five Reserve Merlot | 2022 |
| Stellenview Premium Wines | KFK Reserve Pinotage | 2022 |
| Summerhill Wine | Summerhill Wine Sparkling Wine | 2022 |
| Summerhill Wine | Summerhill Wine Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 |
| Time Anchor Distillery | Mirari Celebration Gin | NA |
| Time Anchor Distillery | Mirari African Botanics Gin | NA |
| Time Anchor Distillery | Mirari Barrel Aged Gin | NA |
| Vedernikov Winery | Vedernikov Winery Reserve Tsimlyanskiy Cherniy Sibirkovy Extra Brut | 2022 |
| Vedernikov Winery | Vedernikov Winery White | 2024 |
| Vedernikov Winery | Vedernikov Winery Krasnostop Zolotovskiy | 2024 |
| Vedernikov Winery | Vedernikov Winery Reserve Krasnostop Zolotovskiy | 2020 |
| Vedernikov Winery | Vedernikov Winery Reserve Red | 2021 |
| Vondeling Wines | Vondeling Barrel Selection Chardonnay | 2024 |
| Vondeling Wines | Vondeling Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 |
| Vondeling Wines | Vondeling Rosé | 2025 |
| Walker Bay Vineyards | Walker Bay Vineyards Semillon Sauvignon Blanc | 2023 |
| Walker Bay Vineyards | Walker Bay Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 |
| Walker Bay Vineyards | Walker Bay Vineyards Syrah | 2022 |
| Walker Bay Vineyards | Walker Bay Vineyards Amesteca | 2022 |
| Wineways | De Villiers Cabernet Sauvignon | 2024 |
| Wineways | De Villiers Pinotage | 2024 |
| Wineways | De Villiers Shiraz | 2024 |
| Wineways | Leipoldt 1880 Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot | 2024 |
| Yonder Hill Wines | Yonder Hill Nicola Cabernet Sauvignon | 2023 |
| Yonder Hill Wines | Yonder Hill Ankole Pinnacle Reserve | 2021 |
Details about the 2026 Vitis Vinifera Awards are available on this website.