Three wine terrains deliver multiple National Winners

Friday, 28 July, 2017
Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards
After more than 320 entries for the 12th annual Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards, almost equal to last year’s record entries, South Africa’s homegrown red wine cultivar Pinotage this year stood out as a top performer from an estate between Hermanus and Stanford in the Walker Bay district.

Springfontein Estate entered the National Winner for Pinotage, the Springfontein Limestone Rocks Gadda da Vida 2013, and the National Winner for Red Blend, Springfontein Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love 2014, of which Pinotage is an ingredient, making it a so-called Cape Blend.

Both these National Winners (Pinotage and Red Blend) were also selected for the award for South Africa’s Top 5 Estate Wines. In addition, Springfontein also received the second ever Novare Trophy for South Africa’s Top Single Vineyard wine. The wine is also a Pinotage, the Springfontein Jonathan’s Ridge Pinotage 2013.

Another top performer at the 2017 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards was Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. Three of their estate-produced wines were selected as National Winners, showing the diversity of quality this estate can produce. Their National Winners are the Lourensford Limited Release Merlot 2015, Lourensford Limited Release Viognier 2016 and Lourensford Limited Release Noble Late Harvest 2014 (natural sweet wine). The latter is the wine that received the highest average score out of all the wines entered for the competition, and it was also selected as one of South Africa’s Top 5 Estate Wines.

Bergsig Estate in the Breedekloof this year clearly displayed its quality wine terrain by, for the second year in a row, receiving the Novare Trophy for South Africa’s Top Wine Estate and the Novare Trophy for South Africa’s Top Terroir Producer, after entering ten wines, of which nine received above average scores from the panel. Bergsig entered two National Winners, the Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013 and the Bergsig Touriga Nacional 2013. The Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013 was also selected as one of the Top 5 Estate Wines.

Cederberg Private Cellar was once again one of the top achievers, with two National Winners, one from their wine terrain in the Cederberg and one from their wine terrain in Elim. They are the Cederberg Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012 (Top Sparkling Wine) and Ghost Corner Semillon 2015 respectively. Cederberg has in the past entered many National Winners, both white and red cultivars, and this year for the first time even the Top Sparkling Wine.

Groot Constantia Estate in Cape Town entered their third National Winner in a row, the Groot Constantia Gouverneurs White 2015 (white blend), and each time a different cultivar or style (previously Merlot and Pinotage), displaying their overall variety of quality styles and cultivars.

South Africa’s Top 5 Estate wines were also adjudged according to the estate wines with the highest average score. They are Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013, Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2014, Lourensford Ltd Release Noble Late Harvest 2014, Springfontein Limestone Rocks Gadda da Vida 2013 and Springfontein Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love 2014.

From left are Tariro Masayiti (cellarmaster) and Hildegard Witbooi (viticulturist) of Springfontein, Lucy Richardson, Head of Marketing of Novare, and Lizette Stander (winemaker) of Bergsig. Photograph: Julian Kruger.

The 2017 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards National Winners are: Lourensford Limited Release Merlot 2015, Lourensford Limited Release Viognier 2016, Lourensford Ltd Release Noble Late Harvest 2014, Cederberg Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012, Ghost Corner Semillon 2015, Groot Constantia Gouverneurs White 2015 (White Blend), Kaapzicht 1947 Chenin Blanc 2016, D’Aria The Songbird Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2015, Oak Valley Groendlandberg Pinot Noir 2016, Kranskop Tannat 2014, Ondine Grenache 2015, Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec Reserve 2015, Bergsig Touriga Nacional 2013, Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013, Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2014, Springfontein Limestone Rocks GDV Pinotage 2013, Springfontein Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love 2014 (Red Blend), Wildekrans Shiraz Barrel Select Reserve 2014, Boplaas Cape Vintage 2014 (Port style) and Nuy Red Muscadel 2010.

This year’s judges were David Biggs, Duimpie Bayly, Samarie Smith, Jeff Grier, Sandile Mkhwanazi, Elize Coetzee and Kris Snyman.

In addition to the National Winners, Top 5 Estate Wines and Novare Trophies, the best wines in the different areas are also nominated. See the complete results available on the website www.terroirwineawards.co.za.

The sponsor Novare Equity Partners (www.novareequitypartners.com) is a private equity fund advisor with a specific mandate to invest in retail and commercial real estate in sub-Saharan Africa, outside of South Africa. Derrick Roper, chief executive officer of Novare Equity Partners, said the company is proud to be associated with the prestigious Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards as its sole sponsor.

As with wine-making, a successful return on investment requires patience, skill and intuition. We congratulate this year’s winners, whose shared ‘can do’ philosophy of achieving success at the highest level is what connects Novare Equity Partners with the awards.

Full results

Trophy Winners; National Winners; Top 5 Estate Wines; Area Winners.
Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Estate: Bergsig Estate
Novare Trophy for SA Top Terroir Producer: Bergsig Estate
Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Single Vineyard Wine: Springfontein Jonathan’s Ridge Pinotage 2013

Top 5 Estate Wines
Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon Res 2013
Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2014
Lourensford Ltd Release Noble Late Harvest 2014
Springfontein Limestone Rocks Gadda da Vida 2013
Springfontein Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love 2014

2017 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards National Winners
Top Merlot: Lourensford Limited Release Merlot 2015        
Top Viognier: Lourensford Limited Release Viognier 2016         
Top Natural Sweet: Lourensford Ltd Release Noble Late Harvest 2014    
Top Sparkling Wine: Cederberg Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012
Top Semillon: Ghost Corner Semillon 2015        
Top White Blend: Groot Constantia Gouverneurs White 2015        
Top Chenin Blanc: Kaapzicht 1947 Chenin Blanc 2016            
Top Sauvignon Blanc:  D’Aria The Songbird Sauvignon Blanc 2016        
Top Chardonnay: Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2015            
Top Pinot Noir: Oak Valley Groendlandberg Pinot Noir 2016        
Top Tannat: Kranskop Tannat 2014                    
Top Grenache: Ondine Grenache 2015 (Darling)            
Top Malbec: Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec Reserve 2015    
Top Touriga Nacional: Bergsig Touriga Nacional 2013                
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013        
Top Cabernet Franc: Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2014            
Top Pinotage: Springfontein Limestone Rocks GDV Pinotage 2013
Top Red Blend: Springfontein Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love2014
Top Shiraz: Wildekrans Shiraz Barrel Select Reserve 2014    
Top Port: Boplaas Cape Vintage 2014                
Top Muscadel: Nuy Red Muscadel 2010        

Area Winners

Robertson District and Swellendam District Terroir Awards
Top Sparkling Wine: Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs 2010
Top Viognier: Kranskop Viognier 2016
Top White Blend: Rietvallei Esteanna 2016
Top Pinot Noir: Kranskop Pinot Noir 2013
Top Tannat: Kranskop Tannat 2014
Top Red Blend: Rietvallei Esteanna 2009
Top Natural Sweet: Kranskop Viognier Noble Late Harvest 2016
Top Fortified Sweet: Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2016

Breedekloof District Terroir Awards
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013
Top Chenin Blanc: Bergsig Reserve Chenin Blanc 2016
Top White Blend: Bergsit Icarus 2016
Top Chardonnay: Bergsig Chardonnay 2016
Top Touriga Nacional: Bergsig Touriga Nacional 2013
Top Red Blend: Bergsig Icarus 2014
Top Gewurztraminer: Bergsig Gewurztraminer 2017
Top Sauvignon Blanc: Avondrood Ancient Mountain Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Top Shiraz: Avondrood Ancient Mountain Reserve Shiraz 2014
Top Pinotage: Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2015

Worcester District Terroir Awards
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Conradie Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Top Chenin Blanc: De Wet Cellar Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2016
Top Pinotage: Nuy Barrel Mastery Pinotage 2015
Top Chardonnay: Nuy Mastery Chardonnay 2015
Top Fortified Sweet: Nuy Rooi Muskadel 2010

Klein Karoo Streek, Swartberg and Prins Albert Wards Terroir Awards
Top Sauvignon Blanc: Boplaas Bobbejaanberg Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Top Port-style: Boplaas Cape Vintage 2014
Top Fortified Sweet: Boplaas Heritage White Muscadel 2014
Top Tinta Roriz: De Krans Tinta Roriz 2015
Top Touriga Nacional: De Krans Touriga Nacional 2015
Top Red Blend: De Krans Tritonia 2015

Constantia Ward, Hout Bay Ward and Cape Point District Terroir Awards
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Groot Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Top Merlot: Groot Constantia Merlot 2014
Top White Blend: Groot Constantia Gouverneurs White 2015
Top Chardonnay: Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2016
Top Pinotage: Groot Constantia Pinotage 2015
Top Natural Sweet: Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2014

Durbanville Ward and Philadelphia Ward Terroir Awards
Top Semillon: Bloemendal Semillon 2015
Top Sauvignon Blanc: D’Aria The Songbird Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Top Shiraz: D’Aria The Soprano Shiraz 2015
Top White Blend: Bloemendal Kanonberg 2016
Top Chardonnay: Bloemendal Chardonnay 2015

Paarl District Terroir Awards (including Paarl wards)
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Anura Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2014
Top Viognier: Anura Viognier 2016
Top Chardonnay: Anura Chardonnay Limited Release 2016
Top Petit Verdot: Anura Petit Verdot Limited Release 2011
Top Grenache: Vrede en Lust Artisan Grenache 2014
Top Cabernet Franc: Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2014
Top Red Blend: Vrede en Lust Artisan 2013

Simonsberg-Paarl Ward Terroir Awards
Top Viognier: Anura Viognier 2016                            
Top Chardonnay: Anura Chardonnay Limited Release 2016                
Top Petit Verdot: Anura Petit Verdot Limited Release 2011                
Top Grenache: Vrede en Lust Artisan Grenache 2014                    
Top Red Blend: Vrede en Lust Artisan 2013    

Wellington District and Voor-Paardeberg Ward Terroir Awards
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Top Chenin Blanc: La Cave Chenin Blanc 2015
Top Pinotage: La Cave Pinotage 2015
Top Sparkling Wine: La Cave MCC 2014
Top Merlot: Linton Park Merlot 2015
Top Chardonnay: Linton Park Chardonnay 2016
Top Cabernet Franc (Voor-Paardeberg): Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2014
Top Red Blend: Nelson Estate Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2014
Top Cabernet Franc (Wellington): Doolhof Single Vineyard Connection Cabernet Franc 2015
Top Malbec: Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec Reserve 2015

Franschhoek Valley District Terroir Awards
Top White Blend: Glenwood Grand Duc 2016
Top Sparkling Wine: Dieu Donné Blanc de Blanc 2012
Top Cabernet Franc: Lynx Cabernet Franc 2016

Stellenbosch District Terroir Awards (including Stellenbosch wards)
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Kaapzicht Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Top Chenin Blanc: Kaapzicht 1947 Chenin Blanc 2016
Top Cabernet Franc: Kaapzicht Cabernet Franc 2014
Top Sauvignon Blanc: Neethlingshof Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Top Malbec: Neethlingshof Malbec 2016
Top Gewürztraminer: Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2017
Top Viognier: Lourensford Limited Release Viognier 2016
Top Merlot: Lourensford Limited Release Merlot 2015
Top Natural Sweet: Lourensford Ltd Release Noble Late Harvest 2014
Top White Blend: Jordan Chameleon 2016
Top Chardonnay: Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2015
Top Shiraz: Lanzerac Syrah 2015

Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Ward Terroir Awards
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Knorhoek Pantere Cabernet Sauvignon 2015                
Top Chenin Blanc: L’Avenir Single Block Chenin Blanc 2016  

Jonkershoek Ward and Banghoek Ward Terroir Awards
Top Cabernet Franc: Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc Ltd Release 2015            
Top Shiraz: Lanzerac Syrah 2015              

Devon Valley, Papegaaiberg and Polkadraai Hills Wards Terroir Awards
Top White Blend: Jordan Chameleon 2016
Top Chenin Blanc: Jordan Inspector Peringuey Chenin Blanc 2015
Top Chardonnay: Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2015
Top Sauvignon Blanc: Neethlingshof Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Top Malbec: Neethlingshof Malbec 2016
Top Gewürztraminer: Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2017
Top Natural Sweet: Neethlingshof The Short Story Collection Maria 2017

Bottelary Ward Terroir Awards
Top Chenin Blanc: Kaapzicht 1947 Chenin Blanc 2016                    
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Kaapzicht Cabernet Sauvignon 2013                
Top Cabernet Franc: Kaapzicht Cabernet Franc 2014             

Swartland District and Darling District Terroir Awards
Top Grenache: Ormonde Ondine Grenache 2015                  

Tulbagh District and Ceres Plateau District Terroir Awards
Top White Blend: Waverley Hills 2015
Top Chardonnay: De Grendel op die Berg Chardonnay 2015

Cederberg and Lambertsbaai Wards Terroir Awards
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Top Sparkling Wine: Cederberg Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012
Top Chenin Blanc: Cederberg Five Generations Chenin Blanc 2015
Top Shiraz: Cederberg Shiraz 2015

Elgin District Terroir Awards
Top Pinot Noir: Oak Valley Groenlandberg Pinot Noir 2016
Top Sauvgnon Blanc: Vrede en Lust Artisan Range Blanc Fumé 2015
Top Chardonnay: Oak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay 2016

Walker Bay and Cape Agulhas Districts Terroir Awards
Top Sparkling Wine: Wildekrans Brut Rosé 2013
Top Semillon: Ghost Corner Semillon 2015
Top Chenin Blanc: Wildekrans Chenin Blanc Barrel Select Reserve 2016
Top Sauvignon Blanc: The Berrio Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Top Pinot Noir: Ghost Corner Pinot Noir 2016 (Elim)
Top Pinot Noir: Wildekrans Pinot Noir Barrel Select Reserve2014 (Botrivier)
Top Pinotage: Springfontein Limestone Rocks GDV Pinotage 2013
Top Cabernet Franc: Hermanuspietersfontein Swartskaap 2013
Top White Blend: Strandveld Adamastor 2015
Top Red Blend: Springfontein Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love 2014
Top Shiraz: Wildekrans Shiraz Barrel Select Reserve 2014