The SA Terroir Wine Awards will be presented for the 19th time this year and has become a very important event on the wine calendar – giving seasoned winemakers the opportunity to showcase the numerous soil and climate terrains in the Cape winelands to create unique and exceptional wines.

This, according to the chairperson of the SA National Wine Show Association (SANWSA), Christo Pienaar, who says, “Our variety of wine areas is a perfect example of South Africa’s internationally respected agricultural expertise. The high-quality wine grapes grown from many cultivars in wide-ranging terrains (terroirs), have delivered superb wines at these awards over the years.”

Only wines certified by the Wine and Spirit Board (WSB) as wine of origin from a specific ward, a district not divided into more than one ward, estate-produced wines and single-vineyard wines may be entered for the terroir competition.

The SA Terroir Wine Awards have from the onset been based on the Wine of Origin System introduced in 1973 and the competition is proud to honour the system which celebrated 50 years of excellence in the SA Wine Industry last year.

From all the wines entered for the SA Terroir Wine Awards, a national winner from each cultivar and wine style is named. The top wines from the various cultivars and styles in each of the different areas is also announced. In addition, the judges name the trophy winners from the ranks of the national winners – the latter comprising trophies for the top single-vineyard wine, top wine estate, top terroir producer, top area and overall top wine from all the entries.

During the past year, the demarcation committee of the Wine & Spirit Board has added four new production areas: Two wards – Keeromsberg and Rooikrans in the Worcester district – the Karoo-Hoogland region (which encompasses the Sutherland-Karoo district that was demarcated in 2010) and the geographical unit of the North-West.

The SA Terroir Wine Awards are presented in collaboration with the financial partners SA Litho and WinField United SA, while the OntbytSAKE programme on KykNET acts as a media partner.

As industry leaders with over 120 years’ expertise, SA Litho Label Printers seamlessly combines advanced technology with unparalleled knowledge to deliver top-tier packaging solutions.

“We are proud to be in partnership with the SA Terroir Wine Awards, where the outstanding quality and uniqueness of a wine area’s terroir are celebrated together with the winemaking process,” says Dawrian Salies, general manager of SA Litho Label Printers.

WinField United SA provides innovative solutions and is involved with projects that help drive advancement and progress in agriculture. WinField United SA CEO Jan Vermaak says, “Our partnership with the SA Terroir competition is important for us to become involved with South Africa’s showcase wines, right from the vineyards to the end-product in the bottle.”

With regard to OntbytSAKE as partner, Louis Mclaren, owner and executive producer, says, ”At OntbytSAKE/kykNET, we take pride in offering national exposure to the outstanding winemakers and wine farms associated with the Terroir Wine Awards. As we strive for excellence in what we do, we also honour every business that does the same!'"

Entries for the competition are open and will close on 12 June 2024, with late entries on 21 June. The delivery of samples for judging will be on 20 and 21 June. Judging takes place on 3 - 5 July and the winners will be announced at a luncheon on 14 August.

Says the founder of the SA Terroir Wine Awards, well-known “wine legend” and wine writer Marius Labuschagne, “This competition emphasises the Cape winelands’ terroir and versatility to create the finest quality wines from wide-ranging grape cultivars. The role of the viticulturists, in turn, is highly important to grow the right cultivars in the right terroir and thereby being able to deliver top quality wines.”

Enquiries to Elsabé Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599 / admin@terroirwineawards.co.za

Stay in touch via social media:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/saterroir
X https://x.com/saterroir
https://www.instagram.com/saterroirawards
#SATerroirAwards
#SATerroir
www.terroirwineawards.co.za

MORE ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

  • As industry leaders with over 120 years’ expertise, SA Litho Label Printers seamlessly combines advanced technology with unparalleled knowledge to deliver top-tier packaging solutions. Specialising in servicing the wine industry, SA Litho Label Printers ensures that brands achieve maximum shelf ownership through its commitment to quality and innovation. Moreover, they are proud sponsors of the SA Terroir Wine Awards, further demonstrating their dedication to the wine community.

  • WinField United SA is deeply committed to advancing South African agriculture through innovation, partnerships, and sustainability. Their vision is to lead the industry forward, guided by their four pillars: customer-centricity, data-driven expertise, sustainability and strong partnerships across the value chain. By collaborating with growers, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, they unlock innovation and address challenges collectively. Their focus on sustainability ensures that they do not just support farming but nurturing a healthy environment for future generations. This journey is about driving progress and making a positive impact every step of the way.

  • Prominent exposure for several wine producers, including new entrants in South Africa, will continuously be given on a weekly basis by the OntbytSAKE kykNET channels 144 and 145 in 2024. Executive producer Louis Mclaren stated, “At OntbytSAKE/kykNET, we take pride in offering national exposure to the outstanding winemakers and wine farms associated with the Terroir Wine Awards. As we strive for excellence in what we do, we also honour every business that does the same!”