Several winemakers from the Stellenbosch region have been named as finalists in the prestigious Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards.
Six winemakers have been shortlisted to compete for the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award, while five will vie for the Young Winemaker of the Year title.
The Winemaker of the Year finalists for Cabernet Sauvignon are:
- Coenie Snyman – Rock of Eye Cabernet Sauvignon 2022;
- Johnnie Calitz – Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2022;
- José Condé – Stark-Condé Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021;
- Louis Strydom – Ernie Els Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2022;
- Schalk Opperman – Quoin Rock Knorhoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2022; and
- Werner Schrenk – Peter Falke Signature Kailani Cabernet Sauvignon 2020.
The Young Winemaker of the Year finalists for White Wines are:
- Daniela Jansen – Saronsberg Viognier 2023;
- Gerné van Zyl – Chamonix Old Vine Steen 2024;
- Loïc du Toit – De Wetshof Finesse Chardonnay 2024;
- Marnich Aucamp – Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc Verdelho Viognier 2024;
- Marnich Aucamp – Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2024; and
- Narissa Pieters – Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Diners Club introduced the Winemaker of the Year award to encourage local winemakers to raise the standard of wines produced in South Africa. The Young Winemaker of the Year award was established to encourage winemakers under age 30 to develop their skills, express their individuality, and add to the future prestige of South African wines internationally.
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The awards focus on quality and the recognition of excellence and are among the country’s most prestigious and most respected wine industry competitions. While most wine industry awards focus on the winning wines, these awards celebrate the creators of the winning wines, honouring the skills and talents of the vintners.
DIFFERENT VARIETALS
The awards are presented to winemakers who produce a wine that the judging panel considers to be the best in the two specified categories for the annual competition. This year, the category for the 45th Winemaker of the Year award is Cabernet Sauvignon, with White Wine the category for the 25th Young Winemaker of the Year award.
As in previous years, winemakers can be shortlisted for more than one submission and the awards are open to all in the South African wine industry at no cost.
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The competition attracted an even greater number of entries this year, and the field was narrowed down to 11 finalists through rigorous judging over two days by a team of wine experts.
GALA EVENT
All the judges agree that it will be a close race for the top prizes, a clear indication that the finalist wines are outstanding. The panel comprised Carrie Adams, Yegas Naidoo, Shane Mumba, Denzel Swarts, Johann Fourie and Wayne Buckley.
The finalists for both awards are invited to a black-tie gala dinner at the Arabella Hotel & Spa in Kleinmond on Saturday 22 November, where the winners will be revealed and presented with their trophies.
The 2025 Winemaker of the Year and Young Winemaker of the Year will receive cash prizes of
R75 000 and R45 000, respectively, along with a round-trip air ticket to a wine-producing region, subject to the presenting sponsor’s terms and conditions.
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