The Spier Seaward Chardonnay 2021, 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2021 and two vintages of the 21 Gables Chenin Blanc (2014 and 2020) were donned with a coveted Double Gold medal, while the following current and museum-class wines received a notable Gold:
- Spier Signature Chenin Blanc 2022
- Spier Creative Block 3 2018
- 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2011
- 21 Gables Pinotage 2011
- Spier Creative Block 3 2010
The Veritas Awards, now in its 32nd year, is South Africa’s premier wine competition. This year, 1312 entries were received, with 103 Double Gold and 136 Gold awards handed out. The mood of optimism about a bright future for the wine industry carried over at the Veritas Awards following the conclusion of the highly successful CapeWine expo for international buyers and media held between 5 - 7 October.
“After attending CapeWine just last week, I was once again reminded of how diverse and immensely talented our South African wine industry is! So these awards humble the winemaking team and me. It is a real honour as we stand in the company of so many greats,” shares cellarmaster Johan Jordaan.
A showcase of coastal Cape terroir, the Double Gold-winning Spier Seaward Chardonnay 2021 is crafted from hand-picked Tygerberg Hills grapes and reflects the benefits of a maritime climate, including a crisp acidity, elegant appeal, and refreshing saline finish.
Fellow three Double Gold winners all hail from Spier’s best-selling 21 Gables range, which honours the farm’s cultural and winemaking heritage. The 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is a concentrated single varietal wine that projects like a blend, while the 21 Gables Chenin Blanc continues to wow judges year after year. This was made evident with both the 2014 and 2020 vintages bringing home a Double Gold - testament to the consistent quality and dynamic versatility of this beloved South African staple varietal.
According to the Veritas Awards team, this year’s entries were judged by an authoritative jury of 70 local wine specialists during a five-day blind tasting session. The results were announced at a formal luncheon held in a marquee tent on the expansive lawn in front of the Nederburg Manor House in Paarl, with the annual ceremony often referred to as the “Oscars” of the industry.
As the 2022 awards season comes to a close, Johan reflects on what has been nothing short of a remarkable time:
“This year, some of our most notable awards include being crowned Editor’s Choice: Winery of the Year 2022 by Platter’s Wine Guide, receiving 10 Tim Atkin Medals of Excellence and our 2020 Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc being selected as the ‘Best of Show South Africa White’ at the 2022 Mundus Vini awards. This broad range of awards across our different ranges and styles reaffirms Spier’s winemaking consistency and reinforces our maxim of crafting good wine, grown in good soil, made by good people.”