South Africa’s Finest Wines Shine In National Wine Challenge 2025 Cementing Industry Leadership

The National Wine Challenge, the premier SA wine competition open to fine-wine producers, launches the 2025 results. Another solid lineup made for an exciting challenge once more. Judges were pleased with both the wine quality and the diversity of entries. Given these factors, it meant that all wines faced meaningful competition if they were to potentially be credited with recognition and an award. It is not meant to be easy, and this was the case once again.

Wine lovers take note: You will find real treats among the winning wines. They are so special that seeking them out is a worthy yet simple task with ample rewards for your enjoyment. Vineyards’ successes and prestigious awards will now help them promote and endorse their own promotion and sales programmes. Their finest wines are now well ahead of the pack throughout 2025.

Summary of results – per category White wines White wines scored a grand total of 26 podium Top 100 wins, 5 less than in 2024. Chardonnay dominated again gaining 11 awards, although this was less than in 2024. Then it was Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Other White Blends and Viognier categories, which each were awarded 3 winning positions. Riesling achieved 2 wins and Semillon 1 win.

Overall, the Worcester region gained 5 awarded wines, then Elgin achieved 5 winning wines, and Paarl managed 3 winning wines.

The “Top 12” highest scoring white wines overall were 4 wins for Chardonnay and 2 for Other White Blends. Chenin Blanc gained 2 wins while Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Viognier and Semillon gained 1 win.

Regionally, for the “Top 12” winning white wines, Worcester gained 5 wins and Elgin 2 wins. Constantia, Franschhoek, Klapmuts, Garden Route, and Grabouw each gaining a single win.

Red wines The red wine category again did very well this year. Bordeaux Blends gained 11 wins, identical to 2024. Shiraz was next winning a total of 10 awards. Pinotage achieved 8 awards. Other Red Blend category gained 6 awards. Pinot Noir gained 5 wins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Rhone managed 2 awards each while Merlot achieved a single award.

Robertson and Paarl regions both dominated with 8 winning Top 100 wines. Stellenbosch region gained 5 wins, Western Cape achieved 4 wins while Klein Rivier, Tulbagh, and Worcester achieved 3 wins each.

The ‘Top 12’ red wines included a strong showing from Bordeaux Blends with 4 wins, followed by Shiraz and Cape Blend each with 2 wins. Single wins went to a Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and to a Cabernet Franc.

Regionally, for the Top 12 red wines, Garden Route, Stellenbosch, and Paarl each gained 2 wins. Single wins were recorded by Constantia, Kleinrivier, Grabouw, Robertson, WC, and Tulbagh.

Rosé wines A single rosé still wine gained an award in 2025.

MCC and sparkling wines 2025 proved to be another successful year for MCC, achieving a total of 12 awards compared to 8 awards in 2024. Stellenbosch excelled with a total of 5 victories, while Robertson managed 4 wins, and Paarl was awarded 2 winning wines.

Natural sweet wines This category again struggled this year, managing a solitary win from a very fine Constantia example.

Fortified wines The fortified category struggled for the first time this year, gaining a single win.

Port style wines There were 4 thoroughly fine ports that cracked the judge’s nods in this category. Two vintage reserves as well as a Tawny, plus a vintage Colheita. All were from the Calitzdorp region.

Vintages – white wines Vintage 2024 enjoyed 14 winning wines with the balance distributed between vintages 2023 and 2022.

Vintages – red wines Vintage 2023 showcased 25 winning wines. Vintage 2022 enjoyed 15 winning wines, with the balance spread out between vintages 2019, 2020, 2021 and a couple from vintage 2024.

Vintages – MCC wines 5 vintages were awarded. Vintage 2019 gained 4 winning wines. 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2022 gained winners awards too. Non-Vintage bubblies gained 2 wins, once again matching the two past years’ performances.

Scores and top wine quality Winning Double Platinum/Top 100 status winning wine awards in the 2025 results, earned scores again of between 91/100 and 95/100. This was a repeat of last year and once again, marginally lower than the score bands in the 2022 and 2023 NWC events. It was also slightly lower than the average of the preceding two years. Most of the winning wines gained scores between the bands of 91/100 to 93/100, with results spread evenly. A smaller number of wines gained 94/100 and 95/100.

The 2025 set of results underlines a view that smaller incremental improvements are currently being achieved throughout SA. Prior to the past few years, substantial improvements were made over the preceding 10 years. A ‘leaps and bounds’ scenario. Fine wine quality appears to have generally peaked for now. Having said which, SA fine wine remains a strong brand, well-recognised after years of stunning performance. It yields an enticing and very large array of tasty examples across almost all cultivars and blends, sometimes at prices many believe to be too low.

Statistics and ratio of wine entries to wins Red wines accounted for 52% of total entries, like last year. White wines represented 29% of total entries, a drop of 6% compared with 2024. Rosé wines accounted for 3% of all wines entered, a significant increase. MCC increased again to just under 10% of the total. The sweet/fortified/port category grew marginally to just over 7% wines entered in 2025.

We now look at the winning category numbers as a percentage of all wines entered: 10.9% of the red wines gained Top 100 status. White wine Top 100 winners enjoyed a winning ratio of just 5.5%. 2.4% of MCC’s were winners. 1.2% of the categories of Sweet, Fortified and Port wines were awarded Top 100 status.

Robin von Holdt reviews the 2025 National Wine Challenge (NWC), now in its 15th successful year “It is thrilling to launch this well-earned and excellent set of results for the 2025 NWC. Winning wineries and consumers will both be in celebration mode. These wines were made to be enjoyed and being fine, they are going to be! It is very pleasing to note that releasing these key wine-performance results means that the NWC now celebrates its 15th year doing so. Our sincere thanks, first and foremost, to so many of SA’s leading and emerging vineyards. They have offered their ongoing positive and strong support to the NWC. The rewards of working with the talented teams and smart individuals who lead our exceptional wine industry are inspiring.

The NWC team is well-known for applying an internationally regarded approach and standard to support and promote SA fine wine through the National Wine Challenge. Wineries compete for the acclaimed array of podium awards. Consumers’ appreciation and purchases of the winning wines provide independent credibility. Enhanced sales add another level of endorsement. Advantageous commercial gains and brand-building opportunities are well entrenched. The positive industry recognition, support of and acknowledgement for what the NWC delivers remains at its core. Winning results directly influence decisions around listings, enhanced shelf space and crucially, wine sales.

Worldwide on the global wine platform, commentators and critics maintain solid support for SA fine wine. Quality is now a well-earned given. Better cellar protocols imply improved hygiene factors, more sensitive pressing and extraction, smaller tanks to tie in with vineyard selections, aligned barrel selection and much more. Vineyard practices that include more accurate planting, canopy management, better clonal selection, sustainable viticulture, and harvesting skills are all continually improved. These ongoing positive differences keep the story and the progress alive. The resultant fine wines do well internationally, too. At their best, top-winning wines offer a harmonious balance of elegance, structure and complexity. These are the attributes of great wines. Our best wines do this full justice.

Last year we said: ‘Tough economic times continue in much of what comes across as a very stressed world right now.’ This statement is equally true today both in SA and abroad. The SA wine industry remains resilient and it remains enthusiastically committed to making better wines. Hard work and exceptionally long hours will ensure this.

In 2025 it is true to say SA fine wines are indeed really very good. They are enjoyed globally and can certainly be talked up. The 2025 Top 100 portfolio of winning wines even more so. They deserve your full support and places on your table. In your cellar too. Every single one of them will offer immense enjoyment!

It was as difficult as it always has been to win a Top 100 podium award. Of all the nuts, winemakers attest, this is the toughest one to crack open. The number of new vineyard entries too into the 2025 NWC for the first time made competition tougher. Altogether, it was just that much harder to achieve the recognition that this very special award commands.

The quality of judges, the performance of the panels and the rigorous protocols and disciplines practiced, all underpinned by the independent review, set the professional standard.

We offer our grateful thanks to our numerous supporters. Our special congratulations once again go to all 2025 winners.”

Double Platinum / Top 100 winners 2025 The following vineyards were major winners in the 2025 National Wine Challenge /Top 100:

Van Loveren Family Vineyards (11) Alvis Drift Private Cellar (9) Fairview Wines (5) Graham Beck (5) Groot Constantia (5) Nicholson Smith Agencies (NSA) (4) Ridgeback Wines (4) Rietvallei Wine Estate (4) Babylonstoren (3) Saronsberg Cellars (3) Boplaas Landgoed (3) De Krans (3) De Wet Cellar (3) Jakkalsvlei (3) Koelenhof Winery (3) Paul Cluver (3) RAKA (3) Vrede en Lust (3)

Eight vineyards gained 2 victories each Ten vineyards gained 1 victory each

Alphabetic list of winning Top 100 / Double Platinum awarded SA wines Allee Bleue Isabeau Chardonnay 2023 Almenkerk Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2023 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar 221 Chenin Blanc 2024 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar Signature Chardonnay 2024 Alvi’s Drift Private CellarReserve Viognier 2024 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar Signature Viognier 2024 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay 2023 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar Verreaux Pinotage 2023 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2023 Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2022 Babylonstoren Sprankel 2019 Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2024 Bellevue Atticus 2023 Bellevue Cinsault 2021 Bon Courage Jacques Bruere Brut Reserve 2016 Boplaas Cape Tawny Colheita 2005 Boplaas Ring of Rocks 2022 Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2023 Cape Wine Company Erasmus Shiraz 2023 Cape Wine Company Nieuwe Haarlem Chenin Blanc 2024 De Krans Tritonia Calitzdorp Blend 2023 De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2021 De Krans Cape Tawny NV De Wet Cellar Vintage Mashup Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc/Semillon 2023 De Wet Cellar Vintage Mashup Chardonnay/Pinot Noir 2024 Arendskloof Tannat 2023 Arendskloof Pinot Noir MCC 2021 Fairview Wine and Cheese Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2022 Fairview Wine and Cheese Lanner Hill 2022 Fairview Wine and Cheese Extrano 2022 Fairview Wine and Cheese Cyril Back 2022 Charles Back Fairview Brut 2022 Graham Beck Cuvee Clive 2019 Graham Beck Ultra Brut 2018 Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rose 2019 Graham Beck Pinot Meunier 2022 Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2019 Groot Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2020 Groot Constantia Pinotage 2023 Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2024 Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2023 Holden Manz Semillon Reserve 2022 Holden Manz Big G 2020 Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar Lord Jackal Chardonnay 2024 Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar Jakkalsvlei Mount Cuvee 2023 Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar Lord Jackal Cabernet Franc 2023 Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar Jason’s Hill Izak Reserve 2021 Klein Amoskuil Tarentaal Kwaal Organic Bush Vine Mourvedre 2023 Klein Amoskuil Bok Amok Organic Bush Vine Grenache 2023 Koelenhof Winery Stellenbosch Gold Shiraz 2023 Koelenhof Winery Koelenbosch Pinotage 2022 Koelenhof Winery Koelenbosch Nineteenfortyone 2022 La Motte Syrah 2021 Lothian of Elgin Chardonnay 2022 Lothian of Elgin Riesling 2023 Three Peaks Pinotage 2024 NSA Integer Bordeaux Blend2022 NSA Hoopenburg Pinot Noir 2021 NSA Guru Pinotage 2023 NSA Integer SMC Rhone Red 2021 Nuy Winery Mastery Pinotage 2021 Oak Valley Groenlandberg Pinot Noir 2023 Paul Cluver Estate Pinot Noir 2023 Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2022 Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2023 Paul Wallace Brave Heart Pinot Noir 2022 Paul Wallace Little Flirt Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Raka Biography Shiraz 2022 Raka Quinary 2023 Raka Pinotage 2022 Ridgeback The Journey 2022 Ridgeback The Journey 2021 Ridgeback Viognier 2024 Ridgeback Signature C 2020 Rietvallei 1908 Muscadel 2021 Rietvallei Chardonnay 2023 Rietvallei Esteanna Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc 2019 Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2019 Saronsberg Seismic 2023 Saronsberg Shiraz 2023 Saronsberg Full Circle 2023 Van Loveren Christiena 9 Barrels Pinotage 2021 Van Loveren Christiena MCC Brut Rose NV VRL Merlot 2023 VRL Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 VRL Moscato Perle Rose’ NV VRL Vine by Pole Pinot Noir 2024 Van Loveren Christina Chardonnay 2024 VRL Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2023 Zandvliet Kalkveld Shiraz 2023 Van Loveren Christiena MCC Brut NV Zandvliet Hill of Enon Small berry pick Shiraz 2022 Villiersdorp Winery Syrah 2021 Vrede en Lust Barrique 2022 Vrede en Lust Malbec 2023 Vrede en Lust Early Mist Riesling 2024 Welbedacht Nr6 2023

Significant Double Gold Award winners include the following wineries Van Loveren Family Vineyards (12) Nicholson Smith Agencies (7) De Wet Cellar (5) Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar (4) Villiersdorp Winery (4) Holden Manz (4) Groot Constantia (4) Brandvlei Cellar (3) Edgebaston (3) Fairview Wines (3) Nuy Winery (3)

Brief comments below from various of the judges including Ginette de Fleuriott CWM, JD Pretorius, Le Roi van de Vyver & Jeanne-Marie de Villiers Chardonnay: Chardonnay is always a classic and enjoyable flight. Fresh and clean wines, with well managed oak influence. Good concentration and ripeness. 2024 seems to be showing well & one to keep an eye on.

Chenin Blanc comment: A strong showing of very interesting examples across a wide range of styles. Oak is well managed. Some beautiful and natural examples.

Pinotage comment: A couple of bright shiny stars: Lovely brambly fruit, charcuterie, not too smoky. Supple tannins and good palate weight and length. Not many coffee oak or obvious use of staves. Understandable consumer appeal on most. Good line-up!

Merlot comment: Interesting spread of styles. Good concentration and richness across. Some wines with a herbal edge but generally strong and high quality.

Shiraz comment: A big class, with a lot of wines tasting similar. Still, lots of really big wines with lots of oak, could do with a little less oak. Good weight and tannin management.

Natural Sweet comment: All have merit. Typicity and delightfully elegant. Showy concentration and yummy salted caramel notes.

Port comment: Super high quality, especially the tawny styled and vintaged ports. The vintage reserves need some time to show their best but show great promise.

MCC and Sparkling comment: Sparklings were very pleasant and appealing, good freshness and balance – consumer appeal! MCCs: a range, some excellent – fuller bodied, rosé mostly too heavy and lacking finesse but overall pleasing flight!

Cabernet Sauvignon comment: Strong class as always! From classically styled to more modern and fruit driven wines. Classically styled wines stood out and scored better.

Bordeaux Blend Red comment: Great quality overall – good colour and fruit concentration with wines showing brightness and luminosity in addition to dark fruit and powdery tannins, structure and length. Only one with too much oak and one or two overly extracted. Very nice flight!

Fortified comment: Always a delight to taste these, top quality! Muscadel continue to offer precision, beautiful ripe fruit, luminosity, concentration & brightness. One with roasted hazelnuts, structure and length – deliciously oaked.

Cape Blends comment: Good flight, although varied. The best showed opulent, dark wild brambly fruit with structure, yet some freshness, rather than too smoky and extracted. One bomb of big oak, glossy, showy and good for consumer appeal but lacking elegance and freshness.

Other White Cultivars comment: Diverse cultivars and styles. Good freshness! Semillon the standout cultivar of the flight!

Sauvignon Blanc comment: Average to good flight. Sadly, a lot of sameness (coastal wines with a combo of pyratines and estery notes). Missed wines with texture and depth. More green, pyratine notes still coming through but accompanied by more RS or ripe fruit combination.

Other White Blends comment: The Sauvignon-Sémillon class shows it style yet again. Interesting blends with Chenin Blanc show great promise.

Other Red Cultivars comment: Always fun to see the spectrum of entries. Light Cinsult to powerful Tannat. Cabernet Franc the strongest class with real interest from some lesser planted varieties.

Rosé comment: A small selection but varying styles and a stand out example with finesse and freshness.

Other Red Blends comment: Mixed bag of blends but most impressive. The cab-lead and the Portuguese blends were particularly pleasing. Beautiful fruit and structure without any dominant alcohols or over-use of oak.

Pinot Noir comment: Pleasing category! Fruit character and freshness with one or two with added savoury and more depth. One a bit stemmy but majority on the lighter more elegant style.

Red Rhone Blends comment: Some promise in this flight. Wines showing a little over ripe character and could benefit from fresher components. Some oak management could be less. Strong class overall.

Congratulations to all.