Jacques Fourie takes the coveted Anchor Oenology Trophy as 19 products earn Double Gold recognition.

Stellenbosch, South Africa – September 2026 – The 14th annual Vitis Vinifera Awards has once again celebrated the exceptional quality and diversity of South Africa’s wine and spirits industry, with 19 products receiving the competition’s highest Double Gold accolade.

Held at the iconic Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch, the 2026 competition brought together wines and spirits from across the industry, judged by an experienced panel of wine professionals. At the top of this year’s results was Jacques Fourie of Quinta Abreu, whose Quinta Abreu Merlot 2021 earned the prestigious Anchor Oenology Trophy for Best on Show.

The Anchor Oenology Trophy for Best on Show is awarded to the winemaker or distiller responsible for the highest-scoring product entered into the Vitis Vinifera Awards.

In 2026, that honour went to Jacques Fourie of Quinta Abreu for the Quinta Abreu Merlot 2021.

The Anchor Oenology Trophy carries a significant professional development opportunity for the winner. Anchor Oenology will contribute R35,000 towards an international wine-industry experience for Jacques Fourie, leveraging its international partner network to facilitate meaningful visits to leading cellars and other wine-industry destinations.

The experience is designed to provide the winning winemaker with exposure to international wine regions, production practices and industry expertise, making the award about more than recognition – it is an investment in the continued development of the person behind the winning wine.

The 2026 competition produced 19 Double Gold Award winners, with the highest accolade being awarded across a remarkably broad spectrum of wine styles, cultivars and spirits.

The Double Gold recipients were:

• Vedernikov Winery – Two x Two 2024
• Ayama – Barbera 2025
• BC Wines – Chardonnay 2026
• BC Wines – Ruby Cabernet/Merlot 2024
• Here & Now – Red Blend 2022
• Olijvenkraal – White – Chardonnay/Chenin Blanc 2025
• Quinta Abreu – Merlot 2021
• Hoopenburg – Chenin Blanc 2025
• Karoo Still – Bitter Goed
• Landskroon – Pinotage Blanc de Noir 2026
• McGregor Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
• Montagu Winery – Lady Mary Montagu Sauvignon Blanc 2026
• Nuy – Inspiration Colombar 2026
• Saxenburg – Syrah Select 2020
• Siwela Wines – Siwela Natural Sweet Irsai Olivér 2026
• Siwela Wines – Siwela Red Blend 2023
• Slanghoek Cellar – Private Selection Chenin Blanc 2026
• Slanghoek Cellar – Noble Late Harvest 2024
• Thor Vintners & Co – Dag Droom 2022

The diversity of the Double Gold results is a defining feature of the 2026 competition. From Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc to Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage Blanc de Noir, Colombard and red blends, the results demonstrate the breadth of styles being produced.

The Double Gold list also includes a sweet wine, a natural sweet Irsai Olivér and a spirit, illustrating that excellence at the Vitis Vinifera Awards extends well beyond the traditional dry still-wine categories.

While individual wines compete for medals, the Vitis Vinifera Awards also recognises producers that demonstrate consistent quality across their portfolios.

The Top 5 Performing Producers of 2026 were:

Slanghoek Cellar

2 Double Gold Awards | 6 Gold Awards

Slanghoek Cellar was among the strongest performers of the competition, securing two Double Golds – including its Private Selection Chenin Blanc 2026 and Noble Late Harvest 2024 – as well as six Gold Awards.

BC Wines

2 Double Gold Awards | 3 Gold Awards

BC Wines delivered an impressive performance, with two wines achieving Double Gold status and three more receiving Gold Awards.

 Siwela Wines

2 Double Gold Awards | 1 Gold Award

Siwela Wines earned two Double Gold Awards for its Natural Sweet Irsai Olivér 2026 and Red Blend 2023, along with a further Gold Award.

 Landskroon

1 Double Gold Award | 6 Gold Awards

Landskroon demonstrated considerable depth, combining a Double Gold for its Pinotage Blanc de Noir 2026 with six Gold Awards across its entries.

 Thor Vintners & Co

1 Double Gold Award | 6 Gold Awards

Thor Vintners & Co also demonstrated remarkable consistency, with Dag Droom 2022 earning Double Gold and six additional entries receiving Gold Awards.

Together, these five producers demonstrate that success at the Vitis Vinifera Awards is not simply about producing one exceptional wine. Their results reflect depth, consistency and quality across multiple entries.

Celebrating the people behind the products

The Vitis Vinifera Awards are ultimately about more than medals. It is an opportunity to recognise the skill, creativity and dedication of the winemakers and distillers responsible for the products that reach consumers.

The 2026 results highlight both the strength of established producers and the diversity of smaller and emerging brands contributing to the South African wine and spirits landscape.

At the centre of this year’s results is Jacques Fourie, whose Quinta Abreu Merlot 2021 rose above a highly competitive field to claim the Anchor Oenology Trophy.

His achievement, together with the 19 Double Gold recipients and the five top-performing producers, reflects an industry that continues to innovate while producing wines and spirits of exceptional quality.

Looking ahead

As the Vitis Vinifera Awards enter their next chapter, the 2026 results provide a compelling snapshot of the quality, diversity and ambition currently shaping South Africa’s wine and spirits industry.

From established estates to newer producers, and from classic cultivars to less conventional styles, this year’s awards demonstrate that excellence can be found across the spectrum.

The Vitis Vinifera Awards 2026 once again celebrate those who strive for excellence – and recognise the people behind the bottles who continue to raise the standard of South African wine and spirits.