The result is that wine consumers are usually forced to rely on a multitude of wine results, interspersed with a diversity of competition structures every year. As annual results often appear to be little more than once-off subjective opinions, and tend to change remarkably, it leaves the majority of wine lovers somewhat confused.
This is where SAWi is able to help. The SAWi methodology compares and condenses results from 84 multinational competitions, reviews and listings, acknowledging the nature of the competition and additional accolades bestowed on a wine, and expresses this as a single number out of 100.
In other words, the SAWi system distils the collective wisdom of a multitude of authoritative wine competitions and wine reviews into a single point score which is consistent and drowns out much of the subjective noise of various judging panels. Through SAWi’s Mathematical algorithm patterns are recognized making it easy to distinguish wines which are consistently accepted as exceptional. Most importantly, it allows a comparison of like with like.
Highly rated SAWi wines have special value, especially given the rolling nature of rankings over multiple years of judgment. The SAWi rating sets an aspirational benchmark for quality and brings together top producers under a new brand concept promoting South Africa as a collective.
In this way, SAWi showcases top South African wines, and will continue to support excellence in wine making as the catalyst for progress and development.
Multi-year Highlights
While many wineries received multiple awards, or exceeded the overall SAWi Index of 87.4, this year, it is sobering to note that the Index is down from 88.1 in 2014.
All top performing South African wines are adjudicated using the Index, and the select group of wines that score 93+ using this benchmark is termed the SAWi‘Grand Wines Collection’.SAWi Award winners are chosen from this collection.
Sourced from 585 wineries, the SAWi‘Grand Wines Collection’ currently includes only 197 wines, representing 89 wineries.
Wines that score between 93 and 95 points are assigned Grand Gold status. Further emphasis is placed on members whose wines achieve 95+ points, with these wines assigned Platinum statusand designated the SAWi ‘Ambassadors Collection’.
Of all members’ wines rated since 2010 only 58, representing 37 wineries, have managed to score 95+.
2015 saw the wines of Edgebaston and Le Riche join the SAWi ‘Ambassadors Collection’.
Bouchard Finlayson, Cederberg Private Cellar, Saronsberg Cellar (previous trophy winners), Groot Constantia Estate, KWV and Rustenberg Wines all received 5 awards each.
These wineries were followed by Constantia Glen, Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Jordan Wine Estate, Creation Wines and Paul Cluver Estate, with 4 awards each.
SAWi LegendsAward
The SAWi Legends Award is given to wine personalities that, over many years, have contributed in a ground breaking way to the industry and are still actively involved.
Following Hempies Du Toit, Jan Boland Coetzee, Peter Finlayson and Beyers Truter, Etienne le Riche scooped the 2015 award.
With a degree in winemaking and viticulture from Stellenbosch University and two years spent in research, he joined Rustenberg Wines in 1974 where he produced a range of award winners. During this period, he travelled to most of the wine producing areas of the world. This gave Etienne an impressive record in the industry and the impetus needed to start his own project.
Etienne decided to create a winery where he could pursue the cultivar he had grown to love and respect, Cabernet Sauvignon. The approach was simple, to illustrate the nuances of Stellenbosch Cabernets as best possible.
In 1996, he left Rustenberg Wines and developed a new venture in Jonkershoek. His first wine under his own name, Le Riche Cabernet Reserve 1997, was an immediate success and earned various accolades. Known as SA’s ‘King of Cabernet’, Etienne is a founding member of the Cape Winemakers Guild.
“Everyone has talent,” wrote novelist Erica Jong. “What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.” And, while there is no evidence (beyond the dark berry colour of a glass of his wine) of a “dark place” in Le Riche’s single-handed voyage – in the good ship, Cabernet Sauvignon – it is fair to assume it took an extraordinarily brave heart to cast off solo from a well-feathered nest on a secure shore.
This is a man careful to speak and quick to listen. His humility and knowledge drive the style that is Le Riche. Etienne is married to Marcelle. His daughter Yvonne, and son Christo, are both involved in the winemaking business.
Trophy Winners
High-End Wine Producer of the Year
Saronsberg Cellar
High-End Red Wine Producer of the Year
Saronsberg Cellar
High-End White Wine Producer of the Year
Jordan Wine Estate
Viticulturist Award
Chris Immelman (Saronsberg Cellar)
Winemaker of the Year
DewaldtHeyns(Saronsberg Cellar)
Top Category Awards
Chardonnay
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Kleine Zalze Wines Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Stellenrust 49 Chenin Blanc Barrel Fermented
Semillon
Ghost Corner Semillon
Viognier
Saronsberg Cellar Viognier
Pinotage
Rijk’s Reserve Pinotage
Shiraz
Cederberg Private Cellar Teen Die Hoog Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Riche Wines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Veenwouden Private Cellar Merlot
Pinot Noir
Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir
Rhone Blend
Saronsberg Cellar Full Circle Shiraz
Mourvedre Viognier
Red Blend (other)
Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal Sangiovese Pinot Noir
Bordeaux Blend
Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer Cabernet Cab Franc Merlot
Top Brandy (shared accolades)
KWV 20 Year Old Brandy
Laborie Alambic Brandy
Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Brandy
Cape Port
De Krans Cape Tawny Port
Sweet Wine
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
Dessert Wine
Paul Cluver Estate Wines Riesling Noble Late Harvest
Fortified Wine
KWV Vintage White Jerepigo
Méthode Cap Classique
Pongracz Desiderius Pinot Noir Chardonnay
Special Awards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay [98.55] (Continuous highest scoring white wine for six years)
Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc [97.70] (Continuous highest scoring Chenin Blanc for six years)
High-End White Wine Producers of the Year Finalists (average scores for top three white wines)
1. Jordan Wine Estate [95.85]
2. De Morgenzon[95.75]
3. Hamilton Russell Vineyards [95.18]
4. Groot Constantia Estate [94.27]
5. Kleine Zalze Wines [94.25]
6. Mvemve Raats Family Wines [93.86]
7. Cape Chamonix Wine Farm [93.80]
8. Bouchard Finlayson [93.31]
9. Paul Cluver Estate Wines [93.12]
10. KWV Mentors [93.04]
High-End Red Wine Producers of the Year Finalists (average scores for top three red wines)
1. Saronsberg Cellar [98.38]
2. Kanonkop Estate [97.18]
3. Bouchard Finlayson [96.81]
4. Hamilton Russell Vineyards [96.08]
5. Eagles Nest [95.22]
6. Wildekrans Wine Estate [94.89]
7. KWV Mentors Range [94.85]
8. Creation Wines [94.57]
9. Rustenberg Wines [94.54]
10. Constantia Glen [94.22]
Top overall Wine Producers of the Year (average scores for top three white & red wines)
1. Saronsberg Cellar [98.09]
2. Bouchard Finlayson [96.42]
3. Jordan Wine Estate [96.29]
4. Hamilton Russell Vineyards [96.25]
5. KWV Mentors Range [95.48]
6. Rustenberg Wines [95.47]
7. Rijks Private Cellar [95.21]
8. Groot Constantia Estate [95.10]
9. Constantia Glen [95.08]
10. Spier[95.02]
Platinum Recipients (95+, Rounded up)
Beyerskloof
Diesel Pinotage [96.0]
Bouchard Finlayson
Galpin Peak Pinot Noir [97.5]
Tete de Cuvee Galpin Peak Pinot Noir [97.0]
Hannibal Sangiovese Pinot Shiraz Mourvedre [96.4]
Kaaimansgat Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay [95.4]
Cape Chamonix Wine Farm
Chardonnay Reserve [96.9]
Pinot Noir Reserve [95.4]
Ghost Corner
Semillon [95.1]
Cederberg Private Cellar
Sauvignon Blanc [95.6]
Teen Die Hoog Shiraz [97.9]
Constantia Glen
Sauvignon Blanc [94.7]
Three - Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot [95.3]
Creation Wines
Syrah Grenache [95.9]
De Krans
Cape Tawny [95.4]
De Morgenzon
Reserve Chenin Blanc [97.6]
Diemersdal Estate
Pinotage Reserve [96.7]
Eagles’ Nest
Shiraz [96.3]
Edgebaston
Shiraz [94.6]
Fleur du Cap
Noble Late Harvest [95.8]
Groot Constantia Estate
Gouverneurs Chardonnay [96.8]
Sauvignon Blanc [94.9]
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Chardonnay [98.8]
Pinot Noir [96.9]
Southern Right
Sauvignon Blanc [94.6]
Jordan Wine Estate
Nine Yards Chardonnay [97.6]
Cobblers Hill Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Franc Merlot [94.9]
The Real McCoy Riesling [96.4]
Kanonkop Estate
Paul Sauer Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot [99.0]
Pinotage [97.0]
Ken Forrester Wines
The FMC Chenin Blanc [95.4]
The Gypsy Shiraz Grenache [94.9]
Klein Constantia
Vin de Constance [97.8]
Kleine Zalze Wines
Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc [96.4]
Family Reserve Shiraz [95.5]
KWV
20 Year Old Brandy [95.2]
Mentors Chardonnay [95.8]
Mentors Shiraz [96.6]
Vintage White Jerepigo[95.4]
La Motte
Pierneef Shiraz Viognier [96.3]
Laborie
Alambic Brandy [95.0]
Le Riche Wines
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon [96.2]
Mvemve Raats
de Compostella Bordeaux Blend [96.6]
Oak Valley Wines
Pinot Noir [94.7]
Paul Cluver Estate Wines
Chardonnay [94.7]
Pongracz
Desiderius Pinot Noir Chardonnay [95.5]
Rijks
Reserve Pinotage [99.0]
Rustenberg Wines
Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon [94.5]
Five Soldiers Chardonnay [95.5]
John X Merriman Cab Sauvignon Merlot
Cabernet Franc Petit V [96.4]
Saronsberg Cellar
Full Circle Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier [99.0]
Shiraz [97.2]
Provenance Range Cab Sauvignon
Merlot Malbec Petit Verdot [96.5]
Provenance Range Shiraz [95.1]
Southern Right
Sauvignon Blanc [94.6]
Spier
Creative Block 3 Selection Rhone Blend
Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier [97.7]
Stellenrust
Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc [97.7]
Sumaridge Wines
Pinot Noir [95.1]
Van Ryn’s
12 Year Old Distiller’s Reserve [95.0]
15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve [94.7]
Wildekrans Wine Estate
Osiris Pinotage Barrel Select Reserve [96.8]
Pinotage Barrel Reserve [95.7]
Grand Gold Recipients [93 -95, Rounded up]
Boplaas Family Vineyards
Cape Vintage Reserve Port [94.0]
Bouchard Finlayson
Missionvale Chardonnay [92.9]
Cape Chamonix Wine Farm
Sauvignon Blanc Reserve [92.7]
Cederberg Private Cellar
Chenin Blanc [93.0]
Ghost Corner
Sauvignon Blanc [93.2]
Constantia Glen
Five Merlot Cabernet Malbec Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot [92.5]
Two Sauvignon Blanc Semillon [94.3]
Creation Wines
Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot[93.7]
Pinot Noir [94.1]
Viognier [93.1]
De Morgenzon
DMZ Chenin Blanc [92.5]
De Trafford Wines
Blueprint Syrah [93.1]
Syrah [92.5]
Straw Wine [92.7]
Diemersdal Estate
MM Louw Sauvignon Blanc [92.9]
8 Rows Sauvignon Blanc [92.9]
Doolhof Wine Estate
Signatures of Doolhof Pinotage [94.4]
The Minotaur Pinotage Malbec Merlot Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot[92.8]
Edgebaston
Chardonnay [93.0]
Cabernet Sauvignon [93.6]
GS Cabernet Sauvignon [93.6]
Glenwood
Chardonnay Vignerons Selection [93.1]
Groot Constantia Estate
Gouverneurs Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec [93.7]
Estate Shiraz [93.7]
Jordan Wine Estate
Barrel Fermented Chardonnay [93.8]
Joubert-TradauwWingerdeenKelder
Chardonnay [92.8]
Syrah [93.1]
Kanonkop Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon [93.4]
Klein Constantia Estate
Marlbrook Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec [93.1]
Kleine Zalze Wines
Vineyard Selection Barrel FermentedChardonnay [94.1]
KWV
Cape Tawny Port [92.6]
Mentors Orchestra Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Merlot Cabernet Franc Shiraz [93.9]
Mentors Pinotage [94.0]
Mentors Semillon [92.5]
15 Year Old Brandy [93.4]
Lomond
Sugarbush Sauvignon Blanc [92.9]
Syrah [93.7]
Oak Valley Wines
Chardonnay [94.2]
Paul Cluver Estate Wines
Riesling [93.1]
Riesling Noble Late Harvest [93.8]
Seven Flags Pinot Noir [93.1]
Raats Family Wines
Original Chenin Blanc [92.8]
Raka
Biography Shiraz [93.0]
Rijks
Reserve Chenin Blanc [94.4]
Rustenberg Wines
RM Nicholson Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec [92.7]
Stellenbosch Chardonnay [93.8]
Saronsberg Cellar
Viognier [92.9]
Southern Right
Pinotage [94.2]
Spier
Private Collection Chardonnay [93.8]
Private Collection Chenin Blanc [93.6]
Private Collection Pinotage [93.2]
Stellenzicht
Golden Triangle Shiraz [93.0]
Van Ryn’s
10 Year Old Vintage Brandy [92.8]
Veenwouden Private Cellar
Reserve Collection Merlot [93.1]
Wildekrans Wine Estate
Chenin Blanc Barrel Select [93.3]
Shiraz Barrel Select Reserve [93.7]
Comment on Achievements
Chardonnay dominated, scooping 17 accolades in total, followed by Shiraz with 14 - both very similar to 2014. This is followed by Sauvignon Blanc with 12, Bordeaux Blends with 11, Pinot Noir with 10 (up from 6 in 2014), Chenin Blanc with 9 (also up), Pinotage with 7, Rhone Blends with 4, and other Red Blends down from 5 to 3. Disappointing were Cape Blends and White Blends, with only 2 each. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon had 1 accolade each.
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley received no less than 19 awards, followed by Stellenbosch Central towards Simonsberg with 10, Constantia and Stellenbosch Blaauwklippen with 9 each and Tulbagh with 7. Durbanville came in with 6, as did Elgin and Paarl, while Franschhoek and Cederberg got 5 accolades each. Outlying pockets such as Cederbergand Barrydale featured prominently.
There was fierce competition amongst Chenin Blanc wines and Chardonnay achievers, with Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc, De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc, Jordan Estate Wines Nine Yards Chardonnay and Groot Constantia Estate Gouverneurs Chardonnay all scoring 97+ points, behind the Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay which continues to dominate this category on 98.8 points.
The same can be said of the red wine flag bearers. Saronsberg Full Circle, Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer, Rijks Pinotage, Cederberg Private Cellar Shiraz and Spier Rhone Blend all stood out with multiple point scores well above 97.
The Platinum status group includes 10 wines from Hemel-en-Aarde, and 6 from Stellenbosch Central towards Simonsberg. Constantia had one less. Cederberg, Franschhoek, Paarl and Tulbach shared in multiple awards. This group consists of 7 different cultivars and blends, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir the most prominent, followed by Bordeaux Blends and Pinotage.
The Grand Gold status group includes 9 wines from Hemel-en-Aarde and 6 from the Stellenbosch Blaauwklippen pocket, with other terroir pockets also well represented. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir ruled this group. Other dominant wines in this category included Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux Blends and Shiraz.
A total of 60 Platinum and 58 Grand Gold winners were announced. Interestingly, most of the red wines were matured for 18 months or less.
Missed most were wine blends, while Viognier and Merlot barely featured. This year Chenin Blanc made big inroads.
SAWi WINE AWARDS PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Grootbos Nature Reserve
More about Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Nestled between mountain and sea, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve (Grootbos is an Afrikaans word meaning Big Forest) is a five-star eco-paradise showcasing the incredible Flora and Marine life of the Southern Tip of Africa. Grootbos offers you a one-of-a-kind luxury African experience.
The name Grootbos is derived from the presence of ancient Milkwood Forests. Milkwood trees are known to grow over 1000 years old and their gnarled branches and mossy beards create an enchanting atmosphere of deep soothing tranquillity and rejuvenation.
It is amongst these ancient forests that Grootbos has artfully laid out its exquisite 5-star accommodation offerings, with breath-taking views across the Fynbos plains towards the sparkling whale sanctuary of Walker Bay in the distance.
Recent Awards
CNN Africa’s Finest Sustainable Eco-Destination
World Travel and Tourism Council
Tourism for Tomorrow Global Award Nomination
National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World (one of only 24 nominated properties worldwide)
Tattler Travel Guide:
Top 101 Hotels in the World – (4 years running)
Best family hotel in the world.
Fodors Top Ten - Global Readers Choice
The Good Safari Guide:
Best Ecological Safari Property in Africa
Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Award:
Winne Most innovative Retreat in Africa
Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Award:
Winner: Heart of Africa
Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Green List
Imvelo Overall Winner for Responsible Tourism
The Iris Darnton Award: Int Nature Conservation
(for more visitwww.grootbos.com)
Issued by SAWi
Media Contact: Brett Garner brett@sawineindex.com
On behalf of South African Wine Index (SAWi)
For more visit www.sawineindex.com