South Africa’s oldest wine estate honoured at the Global Brand Awards

Blaauwklippen, South Africa’s oldest wine estate and the country’s oldest registered company, has been named Best Heritage Wine Estate at the 2025 Global Brand Awards. This year’s prestigious gala ceremony was held at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai on 13 June, and attended by dozens of the world’s leading business figures.

Blaauwklippen’s inclusion in this award places it among a select group of elite global companies. While more than 18,000 companies are considered annually, only a few hundred across 30 categories are ultimately recognised. Blaauwklippen proudly flew the South African flag high on the winners’ roster alongside major household names from the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Japan, India, and France.

For the award recognising the heritage of an estate, three criteria stand out: enduring craftsmanship over time, authentic roots, and the ability to turn a rich history into an unforgettable visitor experience, all areas where Blaauwklippen continues to lead. The estate rests on centuries of uninterrupted viticulture and pioneering innovation in the winemaking process, complemented by a visitor programme that truly bottles South Africa’s love for wine.

“The Cape Winelands has a history of punching above its weight,” says Blaauwklippen CEO and Owner Roelof van den Berg. “Dating back to as early as 1682, Blaauwklippen has been a defining player in the region, helping to establish what has become one of the country’s most prized winemaking landscapes. To even be considered for a prize as esteemed as the Global Brand Awards is an incredible triumph, both for Blaauwklippen and for South Africa.

“What makes this award even more significant is that Blaauwklippen is not only the oldest wine estate in South Africa, it’s the oldest registered company in the country. This remarkable fact, not widely known, deserves to be celebrated. Blaauwklippen is more than a wine estate, it’s part of South Africa’s national fabric, embedded in the country’s history, heritage, and the collective life story of its people. To be named the Best Heritage Wine Estate on a global stage is an extraordinary milestone. It affirms that Blaauwklippen stands tall not only as a producer of fine wines, but as a living embodiment of South African culture, pride, and perseverance.”

After decades under international ownership, Blaauwklippen is now fully and proudly South African once again, owned by South African business leaders Roelof van den Berg and Olebogeng Manhe. This in itself is a powerful achievement. In an industry where many premium South African wine estates are controlled by international interests, Blaauwklippen stands out as a top-tier estate returned to South African hands, reflecting the country’s entrepreneurial excellence and commitment to heritage preservation.

“Blaauwklippen is South African. Blaauwklippen belongs to the hearts of the South African people. That is what Blaauwklippen is all about. It is a living legend with a place in the heart of every South African,” he says.

The Heritage Wine Estate award comes just six months after Blaauwklippen also took full control of its production, distribution, and marketing operations, which were previously managed under a joint venture agreement with Van Loveren. Regaining full ownership has enabled the estate to realign with its historical values as it continues to build a lasting legacy and support the thriving Stellenbosch winemaking economy.

Some 343 years after its founding, the estate remains a local landmark. It handcrafts a dozen signature wines enjoyed across South Africa and abroad, and produces a finely distilled brandy, apéritif, craft gins, and sparkling grape juices.

Recent capital investments have made the estate even more attractive to both locals and international tourists. These include a purpose-built pump track and cycling course alongside the working vines, a fully equipped Farm Gym offering weight training, Hiro, and Pilates classes, and the renowned vineyard walk that pairs fine wines with gourmet chocolate and food tastings. Blaauwklippen remains committed to growth, innovation, and excellence, with more accolades sure to follow.

“This award serves as important validation that we are on the right path as we look to the future of the estate. Being named Best Heritage Wine Estate is a key milestone, confirming that our course is sound as we strive to balance modern progress with the timeless values that have made Blaauwklippen a leading heritage brand,” concludes Roelof van den Berg.