Production Manager Len Knoetze and his fine team of winemakers from Namaqua Wines clinched this competition’s two top trophies. Their wooded Red Blend of Ruby Cabernet/Carménère/Merlot was crowned as the winner of the General Smuts Trophy as overall SA Champion young wine for 2017. Moreover, Namaqua also won the sought-after Pietman Hugo Trophy for the highest total points for their five best entries.
This producer also won a threesome SA Champion trophies. Their top achiever Red Blend was named SA Champion Red Blend. In addition the Namaqua Merlot (wooded) and Ruby Cabernet (wooded) respectively received the SA Champion trophies for Merlot and Other Red Cultivar.
Spier Wines and Benguela Cove Wine Estate both excelled with two SA Champion trophies each. Spier received the Champion trophy for Chenin Blanc and wooded Cabernet Sauvignon, while Benguela Cove Wine Estate, entering the show for their first time, triumphed with the Champion trophies for Sémillon and a White Blend of Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc.
Trophies were also awarded to Diemersdal SA Champion Sauvignon Blanc, Glen Carlou Vineyards SA Champion Chardonnay (wooded), Botha Cellar SA Champion Other White Cultivar (Nouvelle}, Wellington Wines Pinotage (wooded), La Couronne Wine Estate SA Champion Shiraz (wooded), OWK Keimoes SA Champion Natural Sweet White wine, Badsberg Wine Cellar SA Champion Noble Late Harvest; Boplaas SA Champion Port, Aan de Doorns Wine Cellar SA Champion Muscadel (Red Muscadel Jerepigo), Calitzdorp Wine Cellar SA Champion Dessert Wine (Hanepoot Jerepiko).
Out of the 1 783 entries, 17 won SA Champion trophies, 51 achieved class winner status and 110 received gold medals.
The outstanding wines of the 2017 vintage were announced at a glittering gala dinner evening presented by Worcester/Breedekloof at Goudini Spa.
The SA Young Wine Show dates back to 1833, when it was held for the first time by the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Association (now Agri-Expo) in Rondebosch. Agri-Expo has over the years been the proud presenter of the show, every second year as headline sponsor and as co-sponsor in the other years.
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