Beau Constantia is beyond thrilled to announce that their STELLA 2022 has triumphed at the prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC) – securing a gold medal, an incredible 96 points, and both the South African Syrah Trophy and the South African Red Trophy. Among a lineup of the country’s most exceptional wines, STELLA stood out – and they couldn’t be prouder.
The International Wine Challenge is one of the most rigorous, impartial, and influential wine competitions in the world. For over 40 years, it has set the global standard for wine judging. To receive such high recognition on this platform is a true honour for them and a testament to both the character of their vineyard and the passion poured into every bottle.
This year, the IWC evaluated over 18,000 wines from 57 countries, judged by 248 of the world’s top wine experts. From South Africa, 264 medals were awarded in total: 23 Gold, 111 Silver and 91 Bronze.
The judges described STELLA 2022 as: “Full, smoky, meaty, and incredibly appetising Syrah. Vibrant colour with mulberry, plum, and blackberry, complemented by savoury dried herbs and hints of almond. Velvety texture.”
Speaking about this incredible achievement, here are a few words from Megan van der Merwe, general manager, winemaker, and viticulturist at Beau Constantia on how this award has made her feel:
“Farming vines on these steep slopes is a relentless endeavour. Every step is a challenge, and every decision in the cellar carries weight, because doing justice to the fruit of our labour isn’t just important, it’s everything. Capturing the soul of a place, and the spirit of its people, in a single bottle is both an all-consuming pursuit and a profound privilege. I’m deeply humbled by what we’ve created. And, of course, it takes a village to raise a vintage. I’m endlessly grateful to my powerhouse team at Beau, without whom this wine simply wouldn’t exist.”
They’ll be giving their loyal Wine Club members early access to a pre-order of STELLA 2022, which will take place on 22 July for 24 hours only. A special invite link will be sent directly to their members. To become a Wine Club Member at Beau Constantia, all you need to do is purchase four cases of wine per year to qualify. If you've already made a purchase this year, they've got you on record and can easily upgrade you to member status before 22 July once you purchase the remaining amount.
STELLA 2022 will also be celebrated at a launch party on 19 August, featuring a vertical tasting presented by Megan van der Merwe, with canapés crafted by Ivor Jones and a secret surprise to top off the evening.
The STELLA 2022 will officially be publicly released on 20 August 2025. Until then, grab a bottle of STELLA 2021 and prepare to compare it with their latest award-winning vintage. Stock will be extremely limited, so keep an eye on their socials on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and don’t miss the launch.