WeeklySA_AdminACCOLADE: Four top-tier restaurants—three in Gauteng and one in Cape Town—have earned the prestigious Diners Club Icon Award, cementing their status among South Africa’s finest wine destinations…
By WSAM Reporter
South Africa’s culture of wine excellence has once again taken centre stage, with the 2025 Diners Club South Africa Winelist Awards recognising four exceptional restaurants with the coveted Icon Award—the highest honour in the country’s wine hospitality landscape.
For more than three decades, the Diners Club Winelist Awards have set the benchmark for wine curation, service, and cellar depth in the hospitality industry. Structured across five tiers—Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Icon—the awards celebrate establishments that elevate wine beyond accompaniment to a defining feature of the dining experience.
This year’s Icon Award winners reflect both geographic diversity and a consistent standard of excellence, with three Gauteng establishments leading the charge alongside one standout from the Western Cape. The 2025 recipients are:
• Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate, Pretoria
• Verdicchio Restaurant & Wine Cellar, Fourways
• Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Sandton
• ROOI at One & Only, Cape Town
The Icon Award, introduced in 2018, represents the pinnacle of wine list achievement in South Africa. It is reserved for restaurants that not only meet the rigorous Diamond-level criteria but go even further—offering extensive international selections, exceptional diversity across wine categories, rare vintage and reserve collections, and a clear philosophy behind their wine curation.
Crucially, Icon Award recipients must also demonstrate a commitment to service excellence through the presence of a dedicated full-time sommelier, ensuring that each bottle is matched with expert knowledge and a refined guest experience.
The judging panel, comprising leading voices from the wine, culinary, and hospitality sectors, highlighted the growing sophistication of South Africa’s wine scene—where local and international offerings are increasingly presented with global competitiveness.
The strong showing from Gauteng underscores the province’s rising influence as a fine dining and wine destination, while Cape Town continues to anchor the country’s reputation as a world-class culinary capital.
Diners Club South Africa said the awards remain closely aligned with global hospitality trends, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful wine programmes in enhancing tourism and elevating South Africa’s international profile.
As the wine industry continues to evolve, the 2025 Icon Award winners stand as standard-bearers—demonstrating that South African restaurants are not only keeping pace with global best practice, but, in many cases, setting it.
EVENTS
Cederberg fest in Umhlanga
Wine lovers and lifestyle seekers are invited to slow down and savour the moment when the Cederberg Harvest Festival arrives in Umhlanga on April 30.
Hosted at the stylish Grimaldi’s at Umhlanga Pearls, the event promises an immersive celebration inspired by La Dolce Vita — the sweet life — where good wine, good food and unhurried connection take centre stage.
Set against the relaxed coastal charm of Umhlanga, the evening captures the spirit of leisurely indulgence, offering guests a chance to experience Cederberg Wines’ latest releases in an atmosphere designed for enjoyment rather than haste.
The festival opens at 18:30 with welcome drinks and appetisers, setting the tone for a curated tasting journey through the winery’s new vintages. Guests will then gather for a generous family-style feast, echoing the communal warmth of Italian dining traditions.
More than just a wine tasting, the event is positioned as a full sensory experience — blending flavour, setting and storytelling into a celebration of the harvest season.
Grimaldi’s, known for its easy elegance and sun-drenched ambience, provides the perfect backdrop for the occasion, transforming the evening into a coastal interpretation of Italian charm.
At R595 per person, the experience offers not only access to premium wines and cuisine, but also an invitation to pause, connect and embrace a slower, more intentional way of enjoying life.
As the night unfolds, the festival promises to end on a celebratory note — a fitting tribute to the harvest and the simple pleasures that define it.
Pick n Pay Fest Cape Town
Cape Town’s “secret season” gets a delicious lift as the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival returns on April 25 and 26 at the Claremont Cricket Club in Constantia.
Set against the scenic Constantia valley, the two-day festival promises a celebration of South Africa’s finest wines, food and live entertainment. Visitors can explore offerings from more than 50 top wine estates, with a dedicated Sparkling Experience lane showcasing a variety of Cap Classique and sparkling wines.
Food lovers are equally well catered for. The Pick n Pay Fresh Food Market will feature everything from fish and chips and sushi to fresh salads and indulgent cheese and charcuterie boards. Burger and pizza trucks will add to the relaxed, festival-style atmosphere.
For a more curated experience, guests can book the popular Tasting Room sessions, pairing wines with gourmet canapés, or take part in the interactive Mixology Theatre, where cocktails are crafted under expert guidance.
Tickets start at R350 via Webtickets, with optional add-ons including picnic bags and premium tasting experiences.
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a relaxed weekend outing, this festival offers a perfect blend of flavour, fun and flair in the heart of the Mother City.
BenVino Wine Fest
Gauteng’s wine lovers are in for a treat as the BenVino Wine Festival returns on May 2, bringing a full day of tastings, music and outdoor indulgence to 114 on Waterhouse in Benoni. Hosted by Val Di Terra Events, the festival has quickly built a reputation as one of the province’s fastest-growing wine experiences — and for good reason. Set among rolling lawns, tranquil waterfalls and lush gardens, the venue offers a setting that evokes the charm of the Cape winelands without leaving the city.
This year’s edition promises even more variety, with unlimited tastings of over 200 wines from more than 25 leading South African estates, including at least ten new wine farms.
Beyond the wine, visitors can expect a lively programme of entertainment, including live performances by Rewind, Les and Bryan, and other artists. Craft food stalls, harvest platters, wine-themed games and merchandise add to the festival atmosphere, while prizes worth over R25 000 are up for grabs.
With tickets starting at R275, and a VIP option available, BenVino delivers a relaxed, all-day celebration of wine, food and good company — proving once again why, for many, nothing compares.
New Harties Wine Fest
The inaugural Harties Wine Festival arrives at Matambandou in Hartbeespoort on April 26, offering a relaxed celebration of South African wine culture.
Starting at 12h00, the festival brings together a curated selection of local wineries for an afternoon of tasting, discovery and conversation. Designed as an easy, social outdoor experience, the event invites both seasoned enthusiasts and casual wine lovers to engage directly with winemakers while sampling a variety of labels.
Beyond the glass, the experience extends into gourmet food offerings and live entertainment, creating a vibrant yet unhurried atmosphere that reflects the growing appeal of destination-style wine events just outside Johannesburg.
Tickets are priced at R400 per person and include festival entry, access to wine tasting stalls, and a commemorative wine glass. Tickets are available via Webtickets, with no indication that sales will be available at the gate — early booking is advised. – Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news
