Stellenbosch wines — and their winemakers — continue to amass recognition from across the globe. The recently released 2023 South Africa Report by Tim Atkin singled out local winemakers for top honours, mentioning that South Africa is producing the “greatest wines in its history”.
Top Winemakers
Bruwer Raats, of Raats Family Wines, picked up Atkin’s Winemaker of the Year.
Etienne Le Riche, of the eponymous Le Riche Wines outside Stellenbosch, is this year’s Winemaking Legend.
Top Scoring Wines
The Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2021 scored a full 100 points, followed by Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2020 and the Porseleinberg Syrah 2021 scoring 99 points. Alheit Vineyards’ Huilkrans 2022 Chenin Blanc picked up the highest score for a white wine of 99 points.
2023 Winners
- Winemaker of the Year: Bruwer Raats of Raats Family Wines.
- Young Winemaker of the Year: Marelise Niemann of Momento.
- Viticulturist of the Year: Willie Mostert.
- Co-operative of the Year: Daschbosch.
- Winemaking Legend: Etienne Le Riche.
- Best Cellar Door Experience: Blaauwklippen Vineyards.
- Overall White Wine of the Year: 2022 Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans Chenin Blanc, Citrusdal Mountain.
- Overall Red Wine of the Year: 2021 Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah, Stellenbosch.
- Overall Rosé of the Year: 2022 Lievland Liefkoos Rosé, Stellenbosch.
- Overall Sparkling Wine of the Year: 2018 Graham Beck Cuvée Clive, Western Cape.
- Overall Sweet Wine of the Year: 2022 Mullineux Straw Wine, Swartland.
- Overall Fortified Wine of the Year: 2007 Boplaas CWG Auction Reserve Tawny Single Harvest Colheita, Calitzdorp.
- Red Wine Discovery of the Year: 2021 Rall CWG Noa Syrah, Swartland.
- White Wine Discovery of the Year: 2022 Sadie Family Rotsbank, Swartland.
- Sparkling Wine Discovery of the Year: 2009 Graham Beck Artisan Collection Extra Brut 157, Western Cape.
- Best Value White of the Year: 2021 Windmeul Cellar OVP Reserve Chenin Blanc, Paarl.
- Best Value Red of the Year: 2020 Alto Rouge, Stellenbosch.
- Best Value Rosé of the Year: 2022 Noble Hill Mourvèdre Rosé, Simonsberg-Paarl.
- Best Value Sparkling Wine of the Year: NV KWV Laborie Brut, Western Cape.
- Best Value Sweet Wine of the Year: 2023 Van Loveren VRL Special Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Robertson.
- Best Value Fortified Wine of the Year: NV KWV Cape Classic Tawny, Western Cape.
Get The Report
The 2023 South Africa Report is available online.