De Wetshof winemakers Michael Kotze and Loïc du Toit with Christo Pienaar, chairman of the SA National Wine Show Association
Merlot 2024, a relatively new wine offering from De Wetshof, has been met to substantial commercial acclaim since its release. The Veritas Gold went to the Limestone Hill 2026, an unwooded Chardonnay that has become a regular podium finisher at these and other annual wine competitions.
Johann de Wet, CEO of De Wetshof, says the two Veritas accolades not only recognise the estate’s focus on producing quality Chardonnay, but also its ability to offer diverse wines reflecting distinctive parcels of terroir found on the Robertson property.
“De Wetshof has often seen gold accolades at Veritas, but to be on the Double Gold podium with a Merlot is a refreshing point of difference,” says De Wet.
“Of course, the award for this red wine came as somewhat of a surprise seeing Merlot is South Africa’s most popular commercial red, and there are so many brilliant Merlots made in the Cape’s traditional red wine regions on the Cape Town side of the Du Toitskloof tunnel. But the Gold medal shows that, together with other Robertson producers, we are seeing the potential of our terroir as suitable for red varieties able to satisfy the tastes of the critics, as well as the consumers.”
De Wetshof Merlot was first made from the 2024 vintage and the wine is aged in the De Wetshof cellars for 12 months in used French oak casks.
“Abundant sunshine together with clay-rich limestone soils give the grapes a delicious fruit-driven character that is carried through to a very moreish plush red wine with rich, soft and beguiling flavours,” says De Wet. “Since the first vintage it has been a hit with consumers, and with this Veritas Gold it seems to have struck the right note with the judges as well.”
De Wet said that the Gold for De Wetshof Limestone Hill 2026 underscores the quality of this unwooded Chardonnay made from specific clay and limestone soils and a wine that has garnered considerable commercial traction.
“Limestone Hill Chardonnay has over the years shown itself to be a leader of the country’s dynamic category of unwooded Chardonnays in commercial terms as well as in receiving acclaim at wine competitions and critics’ reports,” he says. “To see it winning a Veritas Gold underscores my belief that an ability to make quality wine to scale is the true proof of a great winery.”