Stellenbosch talent once again took centre stage at the 2025 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards, held on 22 November. The annual black-tie event celebrates the people behind South Africa’s finest wines, and this year two local winemakers walked away with top honours.
Coenie Snyman of Rock of Eye Wines was named Winemaker of the Year for his standout Rock of Eye Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, earning him the top accolade in the Cabernet Sauvignon category. In the Young Winemaker of the Year category, Marnich Aucamp of Stellenbosch Vineyards impressed the judges with his Credo Chenin Blanc 2024, securing the award focused on white wines.
Now in their 45th and 25th years respectively, the Winemaker and Young Winemaker awards remain among the country’s most respected industry benchmarks. Unlike many competitions that centre on the wines themselves, these awards place the spotlight firmly on the vintners – acknowledging skill, creativity, and the dedication that shapes South Africa’s wine identity.
The competition drew a record number of entries this year, with 11 finalists emerging after two days of detailed blind tasting. Judges noted the remarkably high standard across the board, describing the race for top honours as exceptionally close.
Both winners received their trophies at the gala dinner, along with cash prizes and an international trip to a leading wine-producing region – an opportunity to broaden their craft and bring fresh insight back to local soil.