KWV has clinched the coveted Duimpie Bayly Vertex Trophy for the second consecutive year at the 35th Veritas Awards, reaffirming its position at the pinnacle of South African winemaking. The producer’s acclaimed The Mentors Perold 2022, a refined Cape Blend, took top honours at what is widely regarded as the “Oscars” of the wine industry.
The glittering gala evening, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), celebrated excellence among both established brands and newcomers, drawing 550 guests to a night of fine food, award-winning wines, and world-class entertainment.
From a staggering 1 205 entries, KWV’s The Mentors Perold 2022 emerged as the overall champion among the Double Gold winners. The Paarl-based producer also walked away with the title of Best Wine Producer for the second year running, earning a record eight Double Gold and 13 Gold medals. KWV further dominated the brandy category, followed by Sydney Back Brandy.
In the class for wineries with ten entries or fewer, Graham Beck Wines from Robertson was named Best Achiever, securing four Double Gold medals and one Gold. Cederberg Wines also impressed, earning four Double Golds and a Gold.
Other standout performers included Nederburg Wines, Perdeberg Wines, and Spier Wines, each claiming three Double Gold medals. Seven producers collected two Double Golds apiece, among them Bellingham, Beyerskloof, Flagstone, Kleine Zalze, Recast Wines, Van Loveren Family Vineyards, and Diemersdal Estate, which also picked up an impressive 11 Gold awards.
In total, 88 Double Gold and 182 Gold medals were presented on the night to thunderous applause.
The evening’s highlight, the presentation of the Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award, was once again a celebration of craftsmanship and excellence.
The hand-crafted glass trophy was accepted by KWV cellarmaster Justin Corrans and his winemaking team for their The Mentors Perold 2022, a masterful blend of pinotage, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and malbec.
It marked KWV’s third Vertex Award — previously won in 2020 with The Mentors Orchestra 2018 and in 2023 with The Mentors Perold 2021 — and the fourth time a red blend has secured the title since the award’s inception.
The judging process saw 88 expert international and local judges evaluate entries through five days of blind tastings. Among the international panellists were Adero Achola (Kenya), Christine Austin (UK), Treve Ring (Canada), Bernard Stramwasser (Canada), Yoshiko Takahashi (Japan) and Joe Wadsack (UK).
Christo Pienaar, chairperson of the South African National Wine Show Association (SANWSA) and Veritas, expressed gratitude for the industry’s continued support. “We are thankful to our Veritas financial partners for their commitment and ongoing support as part of the country’s most prestigious wine awards.”
Veritas’s anchor sponsors, SA Litho and Deloitte, were joined by partners including kykNET-ontbytSAKE, Dry Ice International, Porex SA, Nashua, and newcomers Unitrans and Agrimark.
Three “living legends” of the wine world were also honoured with scrolls of recognition for their outstanding contribution to the industry.
Full medal breakdown
KWV – 8 Double Gold (and 13 Gold)
- Laborie Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2017
- The Mentors Pinotage/Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec Perold 2022
- The Mentors Perold Pinotage/Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2021
- Roodeberg Dr Charles Niehaus Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Malbec/Durif 2022
- Roodeberg Reserve 2022
- The Mentors Canvas Shiraz/Durif/Mourvèdre/Tempranillo/Carignan 2021
- The Mentors Canvas Shiraz/Durif/Tempranillo/Mourvèdre/Carignan 2022
- The Mentors Petit Verdot 2022
Graham Beck Wines – 4 Double Gold (and 1 Gold)
- Blanc de Blancs Cap Classique 2019
- Cuvée Clive Cap Classique 2019
- Ultra Brut Cap Classique 2018
- Pinot Noir Rosé Cap Classique 2019
Cederberg Wines – 4 Double Gold (and 1 Gold
- Ghost Corner The Bowline 2024
- Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2024
- Ghost Corner Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024
- Ghost Corner Sémillon 2024
Spier – 3 Double Gold (and 4 Gold)
- Private Collection Chenin Blanc (WW) 2024
- 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2023
- Creative Block 3 2021
Perdeberg – 3 Double Gold (and 3 Gold)
- Endura Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2023
- The Dry Land Collection Courageous Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2024
- The Dry Land Collection Rossouw’s Heritage 2022
Nederburg Wines – 3 Double Gold (and 1 Gold)
- Private Bin Edelkeur 2011
- Private Bin Sémillon NLH 2000
- Cabernet Sauvignon Private Bin R163 2015
Diemersdal Estate – 2 Double Gold (and 11 Gold)
- The Journal Pinotage 2023
- The Journal Pinotage 2022
- Van Loveren Family Vineyards – 2 Double Gold (and 4 Gold)
- Chenin Blanc No.5 2025
- Daydream Chardonnay/Pinot Noir 2025
Beyerskloof – 2 Double Gold (and 3 Gold)
- Faith Cape Blend 2022
- Diesel Pinotage 2021
Flagstone – 2 Double Gold (and 3 Gold)
- Time Manner Place Pinotage 2022
- Writer’s Block Pinotage 2022
Kleine Zalze – 2 Double Gold (and 2 Gold)
- Vintage Brut Cap Classique 2019
- Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
- Bellingham – 2 Double Gold (and 1 Gold)
- Homestead Old Orchid Chenin Blanc 2025
- The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
Recast Wines – 2 Double Gold
- Rudmatis Chenin Blanc 2023
- Rudmatis Chenin Blanc 2022
Brandy Category
KWV excelled once again with two Double Gold and six Gold medals, while Backsberg followed closely with two Double Golds.
KWV – 2 Double Gold (and 6 Gold)
- 12-Year Potstill Brandy
- 15-Year Alambic Blend Potstill Blend
Backsberg – 2 Double Gold
- Sydney Back Limited Release Potstill Brandy 25-Year
- Sydney Back Special Release Potstill Brandy 15-Year
Heineken Beverages – 1 Double Gold (and 3 Gold)
Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 20 Years
Simonsig Family Vineyards – 1 Double Gold
Simonac Cape Brandy XXO
Fortified Wine
Boplaas Cellar took home two Double Golds for Cape Tawny NV and Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009 (plus five Golds).
Nuy Cellar also earned two Double Golds for Inspiration White Muscadel 2023 and Legacy Barbieri Idro Red Muscadel 2017.
