The Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards is an annual competition held to celebrate the premium Pinotage wines of South Africa. The competition was launched in 1997 with the intend to improve the quality of Pinotage. Absa Bank is a proud sponsor of the Pinotage Association and has since enjoyed a solid collaboration over the past 24 years. Absa remains the proud sponsor of the annual awards and are committed to the relationship with the association. Their 24-year investment in the Pinotage Association is testament to the banks understanding that agriculture is a generational business.
2020/21 has undeniably been the most challenging years endured in South Africa and across the world. Albeit, the wine industry has stood firm and remains optimistic, and wine competitions like the Absa Top 10, Perold Cape Blend and Pinotage Rose, remain relevant.
Beyers Truter, Chairman of the Pinotage Association says, “The Pinotage Association’s Vision2025 endeavours to get all stakeholders in sync with regards to Pinotage research, knowledge transfer and marketing. We want to double Pinotage’s contribution to the economy in the period ending in 2025, when Pinotage will be celebrating its centenary. This will be possible with the commitment from our partner Absa and their continued support to the wine industry”. He also stressed on the improved quality of Pinotage and winemakers greater understanding their terroir, these being the fundamental ingredients of the success recipe.
2021 Entries
With over 133 entries received in the 2021 Pinotage Top10,Pinotage Association chair Beyers Truter is not only delighted with the quality of the wines but also that they represent the vast Cape winelands.
The Museum class received over 10 entries. The association encourages producers to enter this category, which truly showcases the aging potential of Pinotage wines.
Judges
A special thank you and acknowledgement to the 2021 Judges: Winnie Bowman, Carl Schultz, Frans Smit, Solly Monyamane, Johann Fourie and Elmarie Botes. This panel of experienced and respected judges have contributed to the success of presenting the 2021 Absa Top 10 Pinotage finalists. “The Pinotage awards is of great importance to the producers as well as the consumers. It gives the consumer the opportunity to see the variety of Pinotage we can produce in South Africa while having the surety that every bottle in the top 10 is of excellent quality,” says Winnie Bowman.
Absa Top 10 Pinotage Finalists
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Producer (alphabetical)
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Year
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Wine of Origin
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Winemaker
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Beeslaar Pinotage
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2018
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Stellenbosch
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Abrie Beeslaar
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Beeslaar Pinotage
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2019
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Stellenbosch
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Abrie Beeslaar
|
|
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage
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2018
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Stellenbosch
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Anri Truter
|
|
Beyerskloof Winemakers Reserve Pinotage
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2018
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Stellenbosch
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Anri Truter
|
|
Bowwood Pinotage
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2017
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Voor-Paardeberg
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Matthew Copeland
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|
Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve
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2020
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Durbanville
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Thys Louw
|
|
Diemersdal The Journal Pinotage
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2019
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Durbanville
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Thys Louw
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|
Flagstone Writer's Block Pinotage
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2018
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Breedekloof
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Gerhard Swart
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|
Francois van Niekerk Pinotage
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2019
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Coastal
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Francois van Niekerk
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|
Kanonkop Pinotage
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2019
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Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
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Abrie Beeslaar
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|
La Cave Pinotage
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2018
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Wellington
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Francois van Niekerk
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|
Môreson Widow Maker
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2018
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Stellenbosch
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Clayton Reabow
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|
Neethlingshof Estate Pinotage
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2020
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Stellenbosch
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De Wet Viljoen
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|
Neil Ellis Bottelary Hills Pinotage
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2019
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Stellenbosch
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Warren Ellis
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|
Piekenierskloof Johan van Zyl Pinotage
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2019
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Piekenierskloof
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Jaco van Niekerk
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Rijk's Reserve Pinotage
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2015
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Tulbagh
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Pierre Wahl
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|
Rijk's Reserve Pinotage
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2016
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Tulbagh
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Pierre Wahl
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Simonsig Pinotage Redhill
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2018
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Stellenbosch
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Michael Malan
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|
Stellenbosch 1679 Pinotage
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2019
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Stellenbosch
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Nicolas Husselman/Handré Visagie
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Stellenrust Cornerstone Pinotage
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2019
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Stellenbosch
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Tertius Boshoff
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Congratulations to all 20 finalists, we wish them luck for the upcoming awards which will be streamed on Facebook. Event date 31 August 2021, midday.
OTHER NEWS
Grand Pinotage
The Pinotage Association has launched the first classification of Pinotage under the auspices of Grand Pinotage. The launch of Grand Pinotage is a historic moment for the South African wine industry, as well as the timeline of Pinotage as a varietal. In addition, it is a suitable precursor to Pinotage's centenary in 2025.This collection of six Grand Pinotages represents the most award-winning producers of the past two decades and showcases the distinctive features of this brand.
Pinotage Unplugged
The Pinotage Association’s online training program to be launched mid-August, will see many local and international wine enthusiasts be educated and well informed on Pinotage, accelerating the launch of the Top 10 Pinotage Brand Ambassadors and opening doors for more to pursue careers in the wine industry
Important dates
31 August 2021 – Pinotage Awards Ceremony
28 September 2021 – Perold Cape Blend and Pinotage Rose Awards Ceremony
For more information, contact the Pinotage Association:
Website: www.pinotage.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PinotageWine
Twitter: @PinotageSA
Email: marketing@pinotage.co.za