Geordin Hill-Lewis, executive mayor of Cape Town, Diemersdal winemakers Juandré Bruwer, Leana Coetzee, Thys Louw and Reon Richter, and Christo Pienaaer, chairman of Veritas.
In a competition known for its rigorous judging and high calibre of entries, Diemersdal Estate emerged as one of the standout performers, earning two Double Gold and eleven Gold medals, a testament to both the consistency and depth of quality across its range.
Diemersdal’s Double Gold medals from the Veritas Awards went to The Journal Pinotage 2022 and The Journal Pinotage 2023, two vintages of the estate’s flagship red that continue to underline Diemersdal’s mastery of South Africa’s signature grape.
The estate also claimed Gold medals for The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2021, 2023 and 2024, The Journal Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2024, Diemersdal Shiraz 2020, Diemersdal Syrah 2023, Diemersdal Private Collection 2016, Diemersdal 8 Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner 2024, and Wild Horseshoe Sauvignon Blanc 2024.
For owner and winemaker Thys Louw, the results are more than a collection of accolades as they represent recognition of the estate’s philosophy and enduring sense of place.
“These awards are a testament to Diemersdal’s terroir and to the tradition of six generations of winemaking,” says Louw. “Our family has farmed here in Durbanville since 1698, and every generation has sought to express the purity and authenticity of this unique piece of land. Winning across so many categories, and particularly with our Pinotage wines, shows that our approach continues to deliver results.”
Diemersdal’s vineyards, rooted in deep red Hutton and decomposed granite soils, lie just 10 kilometres from the icy Atlantic Ocean. The cool maritime influence moderates the summer heat, extending ripening periods and allowing for wines of poise, texture, and freshness, hallmarks of the Durbanville appellation.
What sets Diemersdal apart, however, is its commitment to dryland viticulture. None of the estate’s vineyards are irrigated, a deliberate choice that Louw believes is central to the authenticity and structure of his wines.
“Dryland farming is part of our DNA,” he explains. “Without irrigation, the vines must dig deep into the soil for moisture and nutrients, which allows them to truly express the terroir. It’s not the easiest way to farm, especially in challenging seasons, but it’s the most honest. The character and intensity you find in the wines come directly from this struggle and resilience.”
The estate’s Pinotage success at Veritas carries special weight in 2025, a year marking the centenary of the creation of the variety by South African viticulturist Abraham Izak Perold in 1925. For Louw, the timing of Diemersdal’s Double Golds for The Journal Pinotage 2022 and 2023 could not be more fitting.
“To receive two Double Golds for Pinotage in the year the variety celebrates its 100th anniversary is a tremendous honour,” says Louw. “Pinotage has sometimes been misunderstood, but for us it’s a cornerstone of South African identity. Our aim with The Journal range has always been to craft wines that show the variety’s elegance and ageing potential, wines that can stand alongside the best in the world.”
The Journal range represents Diemersdal’s pursuit of precision and craftsmanship at the highest level, drawing on selected vineyard parcels and small-lot winemaking. The Pinotage wines are matured in fine-grained French oak, balancing rich fruit expression with structure and finesse. Similarly, The Journal Sauvignon Blancs continue to rank among South Africa’s most awarded examples of the variety, regularly recognised for their depth, minerality, and ageing potential.
Diemersdal’s success across both red and white categories also highlights the versatility of its terroir with few Cape estates achieving the same calibre in varieties as diverse as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Grüner Veltliner.
The Grüner Veltliner, first planted by Louw in 2009 as South Africa’s pioneering vineyard of the Austrian grape, once again earned Gold at Veritas, an affirmation of Louw’s instinct to innovate within the boundaries of tradition.
“Our philosophy has always been to respect the land and the legacy we’ve inherited, but also to keep pushing boundaries,” says Louw. “Durbanville is Sauvignon Blanc country, yes, but we’ve shown that with the right site selection and approach, we can produce world-class wines across a range of styles.”
As the dust settles on another Veritas Awards season, Diemersdal’s medal haul stands as both an achievement and an affirmation, proof that consistency, authenticity, and family-driven passion remain the cornerstones of excellence in the Cape winelands.
“Ultimately,” Louw reflects, “it’s not just about the medals. It’s about knowing that the wines we make truly reflect the land we farm and the generations who came before us. That’s what makes this recognition so special.”