Robertson Winery Lab takes first place in 2025 Sawla Awards
Robertson Winery is proud to announce that the Robertson Winery (RW) Laboratory has once again been recognised as one of South Africa’s leading analytical facilities, securing First Place in the South African Wine Laboratory Association (SAWLA) Top 10 Performing Laboratories of 2025.
The award was presented at the SAWLA Annual General Meeting and Year-End Function, held on 14 November 2025 at the renowned Spice Route. Competing against 44 laboratories across the national wine industry, RW Laboratory successfully defended its 2024 title; an outstanding achievement that reflects the team’s precision, expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence.
For 2025, RW Laboratory shares the top position with two other laboratories, marking another milestone in the lab’s journey of growth and innovation. The SAWLA award recognises laboratories that deliver the highest levels of accuracy, repeatability and analytical reliability within the SAWLA Interlab Analysis Scheme, one of the most rigorous benchmarking systems in the industry.
A journey of growth, innovation and excellence
Originally established as an in-house quality control facility, the Robertson Winery Laboratory has grown into a regional leader in analytical services, supporting the wine, agricultural and industrial sectors across the Langeberg and Breede Valley regions.
In 2021, the laboratory expanded its services to offer juice and wine analysis to external wineries and grape producers, positioning RW Laboratory as a trusted partner for accurate, professional testing.
A major milestone followed in 2023, when RW Laboratory achieved accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, the international standard for testing laboratories. In 2024, the laboratory further expanded its SANAS-accredited scope to include chemical and microbiological water analysis, supporting producers in meeting sustainability and compliance requirements.
The laboratory’s pursuit of excellence culminated in November 2024, when it was named SAWLA Lab of the Year, ranking 1st out of 47 laboratories nationwide.
Continuing a legacy of achievement
The 2025 SAWLA recognition marks yet another milestone in RW Laboratory’s journey from a small internal facility to a respected leader in analytical excellence. By consistently raising standards, investing in innovation and expanding its capabilities, the laboratory continues to provide vital support to the wine industry and broader agricultural community.
“We are incredibly proud of our laboratory team,” says Pieter Siebrits, CEO of Robertson Winery. “Their dedication, integrity and scientific precision have once again put Robertson Winery at the forefront of analytical excellence. Defending this title is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the skill and commitment of every team member.”
Robertson Winery extends its deepest appreciation to the entire RW Laboratory team for their consistent pursuit of accuracy and excellence, and for upholding the high standards that continue to elevate both the winery and the region it serves.