WeeklySA_AdminVERSATILITY: From elegant, cool-climate Syrah to generous blends and a fresh salmon-hued rosé, the 14th Shiraz SA Challenge celebrated the remarkable diversity and rising quality of one of South Africa’s most expressive wine cultivars…
By Len Maseko
Shiraz in its many expressions took centre stage when the winners of the 14th Shiraz SA Challenge were announced at an awards ceremony in Paarl on Thursday, August 6.
Eighteen wines received honours across three categories — 12 single-variety Shiraz or Syrah wines, five Shiraz-led blends and one rosé — underlining the variety and depth now found in South African producers’ cellars.
Spier emerged as the only producer to secure two awards, earning a place among the Top 12 Shiraz wines with its Spier Seaward Shiraz 2024 and among the winning blends with its Spier Creative Block 3 2022.
The awards ceremony, attended by finalists and leading wine-industry figures, followed a tasting of the finalist wines at The Venue. The annual Shiraz SA Awards function was later held at Blacksmith’s Kitchen.
The Top 12 Shiraz wines of 2026, listed alphabetically, are Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2023; De Grendel op die Berg Syrah 2024; Driehoek Syrah 2023; Fairview Cyril Back 2023; Groot Phesantekraal Syrah 2024; Rickety Bridge Foundation Stone Shiraz 2025; Riebeek Raar Shiraz Carbonic Maceration 2025; Rooiberg Shiraz Reserve 2023; Rust & Vrede Estate Vineyards Syrah 2022; Spier Seaward Shiraz 2024; Stellenbosch Hills Shiraz 2024; and Windmeul Shiraz 2023.
The five winning blends were Black Elephant Vintners Free Bird Bush Vines Red 2024; Perdeberg The Dry Land Collection Joseph’s Legacy 2024; Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend 2023; Spier Creative Block 3 2022; and Zevenwacht Tin Mine Red 2023.
Benguela Cove Lighthouse Rosé 2026 took the award in the Shiraz rosé category.
The range of winning wines reflects the extraordinary versatility of Shiraz in South Africa. Few grape varieties are capable of offering such a broad spectrum of styles, shaped by climate, altitude, soil, plant material, vineyard practices and winemaking choices.
Wines from warmer inland areas tend to deliver generous fruit, deep colour and rich, full palates. Cooler regions and higher-altitude vineyards can produce more restrained wines distinguished by freshness, spice and savoury character.
Some winemakers add a fashionable touch of Viognier or Mourvèdre, while blends inspired by the Rhône and other parts of southern France are steadily gaining ground. Winemaking techniques also allow producers to explore lighter, fruit-driven and more contemporary interpretations of the cultivar.
This diversity impressed the judging panel, chaired by La Motte cellar master Edmund Terblanche. He was joined by Elzette du Preez, Denzel Swarts of Zoetendal, Samarie Smith-Meletiou and Bertho van der Westhuizen of Alto Estate.
The entries were assessed during a four-day judging session at Nederburg in Paarl. “The single-variety Shiraz/Syrah category is where South Africa is really making a statement,” Terblanche said.
“Wines were beautifully integrated, handled with a lighter touch of oak and, by the final round, the top 30 wines were so close in quality that it really put our tasting abilities to the test.”
He described the blend category as particularly enjoyable, with the wines presenting a broad spectrum of flavours while successfully combining generosity and harmony.
Although the number of rosé entries was limited, the wines showed freshness and reflected the growing preference for dry rosé with delicate salmon and onion-skin hues.
“The Shiraz SA Challenge continues to raise the bar for South African wine,” Terblanche said. “Each year brings new stories, new expressions and, above all, an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
The judging process is designed to safeguard impartiality. Since 2018, every judge has received an individual tasting order, with no discussion permitted during the assessment.
Developed in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, the system is intended to encourage independent evaluation and reduce the effects of palate fatigue.
Wine MS, a competition software and support company involved with the challenge since its inception in 2013, managed the scoring system, while auditing firm Exceed Group monitored the process and verified the results.
Stellenrust Wine Estate, meanwhile, won the 2026 Bernard Podlashuk Shiraz Trophy and its R30 000 cash prize. Journey’s End, the 2025 winner, and Lomond Wine Estate were the other finalists.
Sponsored by Bellingham, the trophy was presented for the fifth time. It honours Bernard Joel Podlashuk, widely recognised as the “Father of South African Shiraz”.
Introduced in 2022, the competition goes beyond the wine in the bottle, assessing producers against criteria that include innovation, sustainability, creativity and social responsibility. The judging panel comprised chairman Francois Haasbroek, Dr Etienne Terblanche of Vinpro and Professor Jako Volschenk of Stellenbosch University Business School.
For wine lovers, Shiraz remains a particularly rewarding companion at the table. Its exuberant personality lends itself to equally robust flavours, including slow-cooked stews, casseroles, potjies, herb-roasted meats and strongly spiced vegetables.
Wine enthusiasts will be able to taste the competition’s success through specially curated packs. A 12-bottle selection will feature the Top 12 Shiraz winners, while a six-bottle pack will contain the five winning blends and the rosé.
The celebrations will continue on SA National Shiraz Day on August 21, which also marks the beginning of Seven Days of Celebrating Shiraz. Participating wineries and restaurants across the country are expected to host tastings, food pairings and other events devoted to the cultivar.
EVENTS
Pirates Wine Fair
The Pirates Wine Fair will celebrate its second year of existence with another showcase on August 9, which will be dedicated to women.
A prime selection of wine farms aims to highlight the increasing role of Women in Wine, and their contributions to the world class South African wineries.
Participating wineries showcasing their wines include Bon Courage Estate, DeMorgenzon, David Finlayson Wines, HER Wine Collection, Kleine Zalze, Krone, La Bri, Leeuwenkuil, Nitida, Rietvallei, Rustenberg Wines, Sutherland Vineyards, Thelema, Twee Jonge Gezellen.
Live Music, Entertainment, Food and of course a selection of Wines to celebrate with your beloved partner.
Tickets cost R250 per person or R400 per couple and include a free welcome mimosa, as well as a Pirates Wine Fair tasting glass and access to the wine farms boutique selections. Pirates Club 25 is situated on Braeside Road, Greenside, Randburg. Showtimes are from 12noon to 5pm.
Pick n Pay Wine Fest
The Pick n Pay Wine and Food Festival is set to usher in spring with a celebration of South Africa’s finest wines, gourmet food and live entertainment at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on August 8 and 9.
The popular festival will showcase more than 70 leading wine estates, giving visitors the chance to sample an extensive selection of award-winning wines, from premium still wines and elegant Cap Classiques to luxury Champagne and refreshing Mimosas.
Festival-goers looking for a relaxed outdoor experience can pre-order a picnic bag to share on the lawns. The picnic option is available as an add-on when purchasing Early or General Access tickets through Webtickets.
Interactive experiences return with the Pick n Pay Tasting Room, flavoured by Robertsons Spices, where acclaimed chef Tjaart Walraven pairs gourmet canapés with premium wines during exclusive sessions limited to just 40 guests each.Making its Johannesburg debut is the Pick n Pay Liquor Mixology Theatre, presented by Diageo, where visitors can learn to create two signature cocktails in entertaining 30-minute classes.
General Access tickets cost R350 and include entry, a tasting glass and 20 wine-tasting vouchers. Tasting Room and Mixology Theatre bundles are available at R500 each, while picnic bags cost R350 as an optional add-on.
. – Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news
