Premium Stellenbosch wine estate Kleine Zalze secured one of only 26 gold medals to be won by South African producers in this year’s ground-breaking international Concours Mondial du Sauvignon competition for Sauvignon Blanc wines which was held outside Europe for the first time in the show’s 14-year history. This year the exclusive competition travelled to Franschhoek, South Africa with 50 international wine experts judging 1 210 wines from 20 countries, resulting in a gold medal for the Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020. 

In the first Concours Mondial du Sauvignon competition to be held outside Europe, Diemersdal Estate in Durbanville won one of only 26 gold medals that went to South African producers after this year’s judging. The Concours gold medal went to the Diemersdal Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022, a wine that last year drew spectacular accolades, winning an FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 spot, as well as double gold at the Veritas Wine Competition. 

A Chenin Blanc wine made from a 58-year-old vineyard planted on the mountain vineyards of Chamonix Estate in Franschhoek achieved a 95pt rating in the March issue of influential international wine publication Decanter. 

Two renowned family wineries from Stellenbosch in South Africa and Germany’s Pfalz region have teamed-up in a unique collaboration to produce a Riesling wine underscoring both families’ commitment to the Riesling variety and the importance of family-owned wine farms.

Just over a month after beginning its 2023 harvest, Diemersdal Estate from Durbanville has bottled its first Sauvignon Blanc, the estate’s signature grape variety. The Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc 2023 has just hit the market, one of the first Sauvignon Blancs from this year’s Cape vintage to be found on shelf.

When the new CEO for the country’s latest industry body, simply named SA Wine, slips into his or her chair, there will no doubt be a number of pressing issues to contend with. One of which is to act on the acceptance of the fact that the Cape vineyard is too weighted on Chenin Blanc and Colombard – over 40% of total wine output – and that if the quest to premiumisation is to be followed, greater emphasis needs placing on Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

The pure mountain air is bearing scents of summer wild-flowers, budding vines and oak barrels filled with ageing red wine. But nothing beats the smell of bacon. Bacon frying atop a gas-plate in the wine-tasting venue at Kleinhoekkloof tucked away between the Klein Karoo town of Ashton and the heady heights of the Langeberge mountains.

With Diemersdal Estate in Durbanville achieving two five-star ratings in the 2023 Platter’s South African Wine Guide for wines made from the estate’s signature variety, namely Sauvignon Blanc, owner-winemaker Thys Louw says a new era of critical acclaim for Cape Sauvignon Blanc appears to be beckoning.

Top image: Carina Gous

Kleine Zalze, the leading Stellenbosch wine estate and tourist destination, has announced the promotion of its sales and marketing executive Carina Gous to that of general manager, with cellarmaster RJ Botha now head of all wine production. Gous follows Johan Bestbier, who retired at the end of August 2022.

Top image: Dr Paul Clüver

Dr Paul Clüver, founder of Paul Clüver Family Wines on his family farm De Rust in Elgin, is a winner of this year’s WWF’s Living Planet Award. WWF’s Living Planet Award is made annually to exceptional South Africans who, through their catalytic contribution, inspire people to live in harmony with nature. The winners were named at WWF South Africa’s annual general meeting on 11 November at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.