The accolade crowns another 10 medals also awarded to the renowned producer that include Double Gold for its Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020.
The 29th edition of the awards were presented at a gala dinner held at the Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel, with final medal winners announced on Monday this week. Trophies are presented to the highest scoring wines in their class or category while Double Gold represents a score of 93 out of a possible 100 points, or higher.
“It is always gratifying to receive recognition at high-level competitions,” says Kleine Zalze general manager Carina Gous. “The consistency with which Kleine Zalze is awarded, however, remains an even more important reflection for us of the level of quality and excellence we demand from our vineyards and cellar.”
The trophy and medals at the most recent Michelangelo Awards follow on the heels of the cellar’s stellar ratings at the 2025 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge and from Tim Atkin MW, both announced within the past month. For the former, the Kleine Zalze Brut Rosé received Double Gold and the trophy as the best rosé overall, and at the latter, a dozen 90-pointers along with the top-scoring 95 for the 2023 Project Z Heritage White Blend (Western Cape).
“This recognition is significant to us for the way it highlights consistent excellence across styles, varieties, vintages and price points,” says Kleine Zalze cellarmaster RJ Botha. “No award happens in isolation and we believe, reveals a golden thread made possible because we source grapes from vineyards planted where they thrive best, across the region, and which are farmed to our particular specifications.”
For Michelangelo’s trophy-winning Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chardonnay 2024 this year, for example, Kleine Zalze’s wine team sought only the very best expressions of Chardonnay. “Focus was placed on blending components that are not necessarily obviously pungent and fruity, but rather those that are intensely and elegantly structured, promising fantastic age ability,” says RJ.
Chardonnay being the fourth-largest white wine grape variety in South Africa, competition within the category is substantial and underscores the achievements of its best expressions.
Where the Double Gold-winning Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is concerned, the wine highlights perfect balance between new-world opulence and old-world elegance.
Both the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon reside in a range for Kleine Zalze’s flagship wines. The grapes for these are selected from exceptional single vineyards with a track record of delivering extraordinary grapes. Only the best oak barrels are used for maturation and special attention is given throughout the wine making process. Nonetheless, quality remains a non-negotiable across the portfolio as demonstrated once again at the Michelangelo Awards.
The cellar’s red wines winning Gold at Michelangelo this year were the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022; Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Syrah 2022; and, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Syrah 2021. The white wine Golds went to the Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Chardonnay 2025; Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2024; Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Chenin Blanc 2025; Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc 2025; Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023; and Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023.
The wines are available from its cellar door in Stellenbosch, which is also home to the acclaimed restaurant headed by veteran chef Nic van Wyk. They may also be sourced from leading retailers and restaurants around the country, and Kleine Zalze’s online store.
For more information, visit www.kleinezalze.co.za or call (021) 880 0717.