The Investec Trophy Wine Show marks its 25th edition in 2026, celebrating a quarter century of excellence in South African winemaking and the talent behind the country’s finest wines.
Over more than two decades, the Show has become one of the country’s most respected wine competitions, celebrating not only outstanding wines, but also the people and practices behind them – from vineyard to cellar, and from judging bench to bottle.
The competition has also played a consistent role in highlighting the quality of South African wine and the individuals and teams behind it. This year, the Show attracted 650 entries.
The judging panel – chaired by leading South African wine authority and Chairman of the judges, Michael Fridjhon – brought together three international judges and 7 South African judges, including Oz Clarke OBE, Heidi Mäkinen MW and Kenichi Ohashi MW on the international panel, alongside Cathy van Zyl MW, Heidi Duminy CWM, Christian Eedes, Malu Lambert, Mandla Patson Mathonsi, JD Pretorius and Kyle Davids.
Wines were assessed through a structured blind-tasting process designed to support fairness, consistency and confidence in the results.
Champion Winemaker of the Year
The Investec Trophy for the Show’s Champion Winemaker of the Year, introduced in 2025 to recognise the winemaker responsible for the most awarded wines of the competition, has been awarded to Juandré Bruwer of Diemersdal Wine Estate.
He walked away with 9 silver medals, 3 gold medals for the Private Collection 2021, Syrah 2023 and The Journal Pinotage 2023, and 2 trophies for Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner 2024 and The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Museum class).
Supporting South African craftsmanship
As its longstanding sponsor, Investec supports the Trophy Wine Show in helping bring South Africa’s finest wines to broader audiences at home and abroad.
“Investec is deeply invested in South Africa and in the industries that contribute meaningfully to economic participation and long-term value creation,” says Peta Dixon, Head of Sponsorships at Investec. “The wine industry is a strong example of this – built on skill, craft and innovation, with a well-established reputation for quality. Through our support of the Investec Trophy Wine Show, we are proud to help shine a light on an industry that shares our values of excellence and legacy, showcasing it to audiences locally and internationally.”
A new trophy honouring legacy and craftsmanship
This year sees the introduction of a new trophy named in honour of the late John Skotnes, the artist and craftsman who designed the competition’s trophies from the outset. His work helped shape one of the Show’s most distinctive traditions: trophies that not only recognise achievement, but carry a sense of artistry, permanence and legacy.
The new award is a fitting tribute to that contribution, and to the idea that, like great wine, true craftsmanship leaves something enduring behind. It will be presented annually to the producer of the highest scoring blended wine, red or white, from 2026.
This year’s winner is the Zwartwater Estate Red Blend 2024, also winner of the Investec Trophy for Best Rhône-style Red Blend.
Judging with rigour
The competition’s trademark methodology involves three-person judging panels, each including an international judge. All wines are tasted blind by every panellist and presented in varied sequences, with scoring supported by discussion and consensus. This approach is designed to ensure a fair and consistent outcome for producers, while reinforcing the credibility of the results for buyers, collectors and consumers.
Commenting on this year’s results, Michael Fridjhon said, “A particularly gratifying feature of this year’s results is the spread of trophies and medals across a wider range of classes than we have ever seen before, as well as more gold medallists than usual in the major categories. It is clear that over the past quarter of a century the Cape wine industry has evolved from one with a limited offering from a few key producers into one with a significantly enhanced breadth and depth of wine quality.”
At its core, the Investec Trophy Wine Show rewards wines on merit, while honouring the dedication behind them. It recognises not only exceptional wines, but the people, skill and commitment that continue to shape South African winemaking.
The results
Trophy winners
Investec Trophy for South Africa’s Champion Winemaker of the Year
Juandré Bruwer of Diemersdal Wine Estate
Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc
Investec Trophy for Best White Wine Overall
Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Wine
Cederberg Five Generations Chenin Blanc 2024
Investec Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Investec International Judges’ Trophy
Investec Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall
Delaire Graff Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2022
Trophy for Best Chardonnay
Cavalli Chardonnay 2025
Investec Trophy for Best Niche Red
Rosa Kruger Trophy for Best Old Vine Wine
Allée Bleue Old Vine Cinsaut 2025
Investec Trophy for Best Shiraz
Investec Trophy for Discovery of the Show – Best Value Gold Medallist
Nederburg The Winemasters Shiraz 2024
Investec Trophy for Best Rhône-Style Red Blend
John Skotnes Trophy for Best Blended Wine
Zwartwater Estate Red Blend 2024
Investec Trophy for Best Semillon
Regna Loca by Rickety Bridge Semillon 2025
Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Port
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2023
Investec Trophy for Best Niche White
Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner 2024
Trophy for Best Cap Classique
Graham Beck Méthode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2020
Trophy for Best Other White Blend
Kloovenburg Eight Feet 2024
Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
Neil Ellis The Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2021
Trophy for Best Pinotage
Bellingham The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage 2023
Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
Boschendal Suzanne 2024
Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Hermanuspietersfontein Sondagskloof Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Trophy for Best Other Red Blend
Boschendal Nicolas 2023
Investec Trophy for Best Pinot Noir
Paul Clüver Estate Pinot Noir 2024
Trophy for Best Organic Wine
Stark-Condé Monk Stone Chenin Blanc 2025
Investec Trophy for Best Pinotage-Based Red Blend / Cape Blend
Boland Cellar Reserve Red 2024
Trophy for Best Museum Class Dessert Wine
Trophy for Best Museum Class Wine Overall
Nederburg The Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2018
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cape Port
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2016
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc
DiemersdalThe Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Trophy for Best Museum Class Niche White
Leeuwenkuil Grenache Blanc 2016
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cap Classique
L’Ormarins Private Cuvée 2017 (Anthonij Rupert)
Trophy for Best Museum Class Pinot Noir
Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Pinot Noir 2015
Gold medal winners
Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2024
Cape of Good Hope Altima Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Constantia Uitsig Natura Vista 2024
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2015
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2024
Diemersdal Private Collection 2021
Diemersdal Syrah 2023
Diemersdal The Journal Pinotage 2023
Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2025
Graham Beck Méthode Cap Classique Cuvee Clive 2019
Hazendal Bottelary Hills Syrah 2025
Hazendal Chenin Blanc 2025
Jordan Timepiece Chenin Blanc 2025
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Laborie Le Traditionnel Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2020
Mellish Bakenkop Blanc Fumé 2020
Nederburg Heritage Heroes The Brew Master 2021
Perdeberg G.O.A.T Chenin Blanc 2025
Roodekrantz Donkermaan Chenin Blanc 2024
Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Stellenzicht Thunderstone Red 2024
The Fledge & Co Vagabond 2024
Warwick The White Lady Chardonnay 2024
Zandvliet Estate Shiraz 2024
The complete set of results is on the website and includes the Top Ten lists, winners by award, winners by category and winners by producer.
The judges’ feedback session transcript and individual interviews are here.
