Stellenbosch wine estates continue their good run at the prestigious 2022 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) with top trophies for both best red and white wine producers of the year.
Jordan Estate: IWSC 2022 White Wine Producer of the Year
Gary and Kathy Jordan are the husband-and-wife team behind this 164-hectare Stellenbosch wine estate. They have been making wines in this beautiful part of South Africa’s Western Cape since their first harvest in 1993.
The estate performed well in this year’s IWSC awards, but it was their Chardonnay that stole the show. Jordan’s Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2020 garnered 95 points, while their Nine Yards Chardonnay 2020 scored 96 points. Nine Yards comes from an east-facing vineyard which enjoy cooler morning sun.
Kanonkop: IWSC 2022 Red Wine Producer of the Year
“Our aim is to remain the top red wine producer of South Africa,” says Johann Krige, Kanonkop CEO and IWSC’s 2022 president. It’s a bold but simple ambition – and one that this year’s IWSC judges clearly feel is within reach with 10 medals awarded.
Kanonkop has 95 hectares under vine. Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon account for 85% of varietals planted here, with small areas of Merlot and Cabernet Franc making up the balance. The focus of fourth-generation owners Paul and Johann Krige is on gently improving quality and encouraging the expression of terroir. “In the cellar, we have recently increased production capacity from 1,200 tons to 2,800 tons and introduced state-of-the-art optical sorters, cooling equipment and new maturation and bottling facilities.”
Visit IWSC online for the complete list of winners.
Source: International Wine & Spirit Competition