In Stellenbosch, you’re never more than a vineyard away from a good wine story. From award announcements to harvest updates, we’ve rounded up what’s been swirling through the local wine world.
The winners of the Perold Absa Cape Blend competition have been announced. The competition aims to promote Pinotage driven Cape Blend wines for their uniquely distinctive qualities and meaningful impact on the international wine market.
2026 Perold Absa Cape Blend award winners
- Flagstone Winery, Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend, 2023, WO Cape Coast
- Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar, Jakkalsvlei Mount Cuvée Cape Blend, 2024, WO Western Cape
- KWV, KWV The Mentors Perold 2023, WO Coastal Region
- Neethlingshof Estate, Neethlingshof Tors, 2024, WO Stellenbosch
- Perdeberg Group, Perdeberg Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend, 2024, WO Coastal Region
- Stellenbosch Hills, Stellenbosch Hills Suikerboschrand, 2022, WO Stellenbosch
The Pinotage Rosé competition is in recognition of the uniqueness of varietal in the international wine world, while supporting various styles.
2026 Absa Pinotage Rosé award winners
- Rooiberg Winery, Rooiberg Winery Pinotage Rosé, 2026, WO Robertson
- Bon Courage Estate, Bon Courage Lady of the House Pinotage Rosé, 2026, WO Robertson
- Deetlefs Wines Estate, Deetlefs Stonecross Pinotage Rosé, 2026, WO Western Cape
- Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar, Jakkalsvlei Pinotage Rosé, 2026, WO Herbertsdale
- Merwida Wine Cellar, Merwida Papenkuils Vlei Vygie Pinotage Rosé, 2026, WO Breedekloof
- Pulpit Rock Winery, Pulpit Rock Stories Pinotage Rosé, 2026, WO Swartland
Stellenbosch estates continued their successful run at the 2026 edition of the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge picking up numerous gold awards with Paarl estate KWV Laborie reigned supreme winning the title of Best Wine on Show with its Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020, making it the third time that Laborie’s Blanc de Blancs has been crowned overall winner of the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge. This years winners:
Blanc de Blancs
- Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020, (Double Gold, Trophy Blanc de Blancs and Overall Winner)
- Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blanc 2022 (Double Gold)
- Louisvale MCC Brut NV (Gold)
- Colmant Blanc de Blancs NV (Gold)
- Pieter Ferreira Pinot Blanc 2023 (Gold)
- Babylonstoren Sprankel 2021 (Gold)
Brut Blends
- Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut 2021 (Double Gold, Trophy Brut Blends)
- Van Loveren Christina Cap Classique Brut NV (Gold)
- Colmant Brut Reserve NV (Gold)
- Alexander Vineyards Brut NV (Gold)
- Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2023 (Gold)
- Tanzanite Brut NV (Gold)
- Hidden Valley Brut 2022 (Gold)
- Paul Renè Chardonnay Brut 2022 (Gold)
- Klein Roosboom My Way Brut 2021 (Gold)
- Babylonstoren Sprankel 2020 (Gold)
- Spier Prestige Cuvée 2019 (Gold)
- Graham Beck Ultra Brut 2018 (Gold)
- Charles Fox Vintage Brut 2018 (Gold)
Rosé
- Domaine des Dieux Rose of Sharon Rosé 2017 (Double Gold, Trophy Rosé)
- Lourensford Brut Rosé 2021 (Double Gold)
- Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut Rosetta Rosé NV (Gold)
- Landskroon Cap Classique Pinot Noir Brut 2023 (Gold)
Nectar
- Krone Night Nectar Blanc de Blanc 2021 (Gold, Nectar Trophy)
Extended Ageing Class
- Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs 2015, Double Gold, Extended Ageing Trophy)
- Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2017 (Double Gold)
- Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs 2015 (Double Gold)
The winners of the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge have been announced. This years Challenge attracted 150 entries from 97 producers, representing 36 Wine of Origin (WO) classifications with six of the top ten wines originating from certified heritage vineyards of 35 years or older.
The 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10:
- Beaumont Family Wines Hope Marguerite 2025 – WO Bot River, Walker Bay
- City on a Hill Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024 – WO Swartland
- DaschBosch Mossiesdrift Steen 2025 – WO Breedekloof
- Groot Phesantekraal Anna de Koning 2024 – WO Cape Town (Durbanville)
- Painted Wolf Wines Lightning Chenin Blanc 2024 – WO Wellington
- Stellenrust ArtiSons Family Winery Mother Ship Chenin Blanc 2025 – WO Stellenbosch
- Stellenrust 61 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2025 – WO Stellenbosch
- Stettyn Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2025 – WO Stettyn
- Wildeberg Terroirs Chenin Blanc 2024 – WO Paarl
- Zoetendal Chenin Blanc 2022 – WO Coastal
The complete Top 10 collection is available through Brice & Burnett.
The first weekend of September 2026 saw the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. Stellenbosch estates continued their good run with Boschendal, JC le Roux, Meinert and Lourensford receiving Platinum status, along with numerous other estates picking up Double Golds.
To receive a Michelangelo Platinum medal, wines and spirits need to score at least 96 out of a possible 100 points. Only 24 entries achieved this status.
Platinum 2026 Winners
Arabella Viognier 2026
Mariette Chardonnay MCC 2019
Bergsig Gewurztraminer 2026
Cederberg Cabernet 2023
De Tijger Merlot 2022
Sydney Back 25 Year-Old brandy N/A
Boschendal Apellation Series Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Excelsior Gondolier Merlot 2023
Graham Beck Cuvee Clive 2019
JC le Roux Scintilla 2016
Durbanville Hills the Tangram White Blend 2024
Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 20 Years N/A
Ironveil Merlot 2021
Kurkbos Port 2020
Niel Joubert Nammi 2004
The Dry Land Collection Rossouw’s Heritage 2022
Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend 2024
The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2024
The Mentors Orchestra 2022
Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Click here for more information on the other winners.
Tim Atkin MW’s 2026 Special Report on South African Wine highlighted everyday excellence and serious winemaking aren’t mutually exclusive. The 2025 Kaapzicht Granite Ridge Old Vine Project Chenin Blanc took Best Value White, the 2024 De Morgenzon DMZ Syrah was named Best Value Red and the 2025 Terblanche Family Vineyards Elmie Pinotage Rosé shared Best Rosé. The Pink Valley Rosé Reserve 2025 was one of the Discovery Wines of the Year.
Chris and Cató Rabie of Eendrag Farm was recognised with the 2026 Growers of the Year while Boschendal picked up the Wine Tourism Award for what Atkin calls turning an estate into “a living expression of Brand South Africa”.
Top Honors (The Podium):
- Red Wine of the Year: Sadie Family Columella 2024.
- White Wine of the Year: Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans 2025.
- Winemaker of the Year: Hannes Storm (Storm Wines).
- Young Winemaker of the Year: Jolandie Fouché (Wolf & Woman).
- Winery of the Year: Lismore Estate Vineyards.
- Producer Cellar of the Year: Daschbosch
- Rising Star of the Year: Stefan Johannes (Zwartwater).
- Winemaking Legend: Pieter Ferreira.
The 2026 ABSA Top 10 Pinotage Awards celebrated the very best of South Africa’s signature grape, with four of this year’s winners hailing from the Stellenbosch region.
The 2026 Top 10 included:
🍷 Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2023
🍷 Le Grand Domaine Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Pinotage 2024
🍷 Stellenrust Wines Artisons Prof Perfect Crime Pinotage 2024
🍷 Koelenhof Koelenbosch Director’s Reserve Pinotage 2023
🍷 Groot Phesantekraal Pinotage 2024
🍷 Du Toitskloof Wines Granite Pinotage 2024
🍷 Wellington Wines La Cave Pinotage 2024
🍷 Survivor Wines Pinotage Reserve 2023
🍷 Diemersdal The Journal Pinotage 2024
🍷 Frostline Pinotage 2024
Pieter Ferreira has spent more than four decades chasing the perfect bubble, a pursuit that has not gone unnoticed in the international wine world. In September the 2026 International Wine Challenge (IWC) will in London raise a glass to the man who has done more than almost anyone to put South African Cap Classique on the international wine map. Read more
Stellenbosch estates once again emerged with top honours at the 14th Shiraz SA Challenge. Eighteen winners were awarded in the three categories with Spier pocketing two awards and Stellenrust receiving recognition for their work in sustainability, excellence, innovation, creativity and social responsibility. Read more
Dirk van Zyl has been appointed as head winemaker at Kanonkop Estate.
Hailing from a wine farm in Bonnievale in the Western Cape, Dirk graduated with a BSc degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Stellenbosch University in 2012, after which he held the position of winemaker at various Stellenbosch wineries, including Kleine Zalze, De Morgenzon, Saxenburg and, most recently, Glenelly.