Stellenbosch wines shine at 2023 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon

The 2023 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon results have been announced, with South African, and Stellenbosch wines in particular, being judged to be some of the best in the world. The Villiera Bush Vine 2022 by Villiera Wines was awarded the Tonnellerie Sylvain trophy which rewards the best wine matured in oak casks. Other Stellenbosch wineries also received gold medals in the competition, included Blaauwklippen, Rustenberg, Kleine Zalze, Spier, Le Grand Domaine and Zorgvliet.

The 2023 panel of judges from 4 continents and 19 nationalities.

The competition judged 1 210 wines from all around the world, and the fact that Stellenbosch wineries received medals is a testament to the region’s reputation for producing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc wines. Fifty international judges awarded silver and gold medals to wines from 20 countries, announced on Monday 20 March at ProWein in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Top South Africa wines

South Africa ratified its ranking as a major Sauvignon Blanc producer country, winning 56 medals – 26 gold medals (see list below) and 30 silver medals – along with an international trophy. In addition to the Villiera Bush Vine 2022, Darling Cellars’ Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2020 received the Revelation South Africa trophy for the best performing South African wine at the show.

SA Winners: RJ Botha (Kleine Zalze), Pieter-Niel Rossouw (Darling Cellars), Johan Conradie (Vinventions), Riaan de Waal (Darling Cellars), Cathy Grier Brewer (Villiera) and Quentin Havaux, (Concours Mondial du Sauvignon).

South Africa was well represented with a record number of nearly 13% of entries. France continues to dominate with 40% of wines entered, also winning the International Trophy for the Best Blend of Gascon wine for the Saint-Lannes Sauvignon Chardonnay by Duffour Père & Fils. It is followed by Austria with 225 wines entered (18.6%), with the Dubourdieu Trophy for the top Sauvignon in the competition coming from Steiermark, awarded to Sauvignon Blanc Sieme Eichberg by the Adam-Lieleg winery. Italy and New Zealand complete the top five line-up of participating countries.

Showcasing South Africa to the world


This 14th edition of the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, the first outside of Europe, was hosted by Sauvignon Blanc South Africa in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, together with the international organisers, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. In addition to the tastings, the 50 judges from across 4 continents and 19 nationalities, including journalists, winemakers and buyers, discovered the diversity of South Africa’s wine regions through conferences, visits and opportunities for engagement with the local wine industry.

Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2023 South African Judges

According to RJ Botha, Chairman of Sauvignon Blanc SA, the competition was a huge success. “We are extremely proud of all the compliments that continue to pour in for our country, people, and wines,” Botha says. “We are confident that this is only the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, and it was a pleasure to collaborate with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles organising team.”

South African gold medal winners

All the winners

Click here to view the full results.