2020 has ended on a high note and the stars have aligned for South Africa’s bright and timeless wines with Cape Winemakers Guild members making headlines for the superb quality of their wines as recognised by Diners Club Winemaker of the Year and Platter’s South African Wine Guide.
The Guild is immensely proud to share in the success of CWG Member Johan Malan from Simonsig, who was awarded as the 2020 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year this weekend for his 2015 Kaapse Vonkel Méthode Cap Classique, a style first introduced to South African consumers by Simonsig in 1971.
To further showcase the calibre of winemaking talent, for the 2021 edition of the Platter’s Guide, 76 of the Platter 5-stars and 9 of the Wines of the Year awarded went to CWG members. In addition, the Guild is elated that newest member, Donovan Rall, won the Editor’s Award for Winery of the Year.
That 5% of South Africa’s winemakers can bring home 33% of these sought-after awards is a testament to its members’ focus on crafting wines of consistent world-class quality through delicate precision, dedication, and a special love for their vineyards.
Apart from submitting wines from their respective wineries, CWG members also set forth the premium wines they have created exclusively for the annual CWG Auction. The Guild is proud to announce the members whose 2020 CWG Auction wines achieved five stars this year:
• Andrea Mullineux: Leeu Passant Radicales Libres 2015
• Bartho Eksteen: Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc 2019
• Bruwer Raats: Raats Family Wines The Fountain Terroir Specific Chenin Blanc 2019
• Frans Smit: Spier Frans K Smit Auction Selection 2017
• Jeff Grier: Villiera Drip Barrel Cabernet Franc 2018 (Cabernet Franc of the Year)
• Johan Malan: Simonsig Mediterraneo 2015
• Miles Mossop: Miles Mossop Wines Saskia-Jo 2018
Since its inception in 1980, Platter’s South African Wine Guide has become an institution for wine lovers and novices alike searching for the wine stars from the various wine regions.
Determined during a stringent blind tasting round, a five-star accolade is reserved for wines deemed “South African classics” and score 95 points or more on the internationally recognised 100-point scale.
The members of the Cape Winemakers Guild tirelessly strive for excellence and even in these trying times, are proving to lead the industry.
