The results are in from the 2026 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) – one of the oldest and most respected wine and spirits competitions in the world, judged by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and leading industry experts.
Across four wines, Steenberg Vineyards earned recognition that reflects something deeper than a single good vintage. It reflects a way of working – between vineyard and cellar, between site and season – that has been refined quietly and consistently over many years.
Results at a glance
- Steenberg Catharina 2022: Gold medal - 95 points
- Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2025: Silver medal - 93 points
- Steenberg Blanc 2024: Silver medal - 92 points
- Steenberg Black Swan 2025: Silver medal - 92 points
Established in 1969, the IWSC is judged through rigorous blind tastings by some of the world's most respected wine and spirits professionals. An IWSC accolade is recognised internationally as a genuine mark of quality.
Gold medal-winning Catharina 2022
Named in honour of Catharina Ras, the pioneering woman who was granted the land that would become Steenberg in 1682, Catharina is the flagship of our collection and the ultimate expression of our Constantia Bordeaux-style blend philosophy.
Crafted from only the finest barrel selections of each vintage, the 2022 release reveals layers of blackberry, cassis and plum, lifted by delicate floral notes. Refined tannins and vibrant natural acidity create a wine of elegance, balance and precision, while 24 months in French oak bring depth and complexity without overshadowing the purity of the fruit.
Shaped by Constantia's cool maritime climate and extended growing season, Catharina is built for graceful evolution in bottle. Its IWSC gold medal and 95-point score recognise not only an exceptional vintage, but Steenberg's enduring commitment to crafting wines that express the character, finesse and longevity of this remarkable place.
Three medals, one variety: A benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc
Three Sauvignon Blancs. Three distinct expressions of the same variety. Three medals at the IWSC 2026. Sauvignon Blanc 2025 earned 93 points and silver. Blanc 2024 and Black Swan 2025 each earned 92 points and silver.
Together, they speak to the consistency and depth of what we produce from this variety – and to what Constantia is capable of when site, season and intention are aligned. From the vibrant purity of the Sauvignon Blanc to the layered complexity of Blanc and the age- worthy structure of Black Swan, each wine is its own argument for Constantia as one of the great cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc regions.
The collaboration: Where vineyard and cellar become one
Every result in a competition like the IWSC begins long before the judging panel convenes. It begins in the vineyard – in the decisions made season by season about how each block is managed, when fruit is harvested and how the site's character is preserved.
At Steenberg, cellarmaster Elunda Basson and viticulturist Vlok Hanekom work in close partnership across every vintage. Each vineyard block is guided according to its soils, aspect and seasonal conditions. What happens in the vineyard informs what happens in the cellar – and the cellar's role is simply to honour what the season and the site have already given.
"Exceptional wines begin in the vineyard. The partnership between vineyard and cellar is fundamental because every decision influences the next. Our role in the cellar is to respect what the season and the site have given us, crafting wines with elegance, balance and finesse that are true to Constantia and built to age." - Elunda Basson, cellarmaster at Steenberg Vineyards
From Constantia to the world stage
Four wines. Four recognitions. One consistent thread – wines shaped by the character of this place and the patience of the people who make them. These results belong to the vineyard, the cellar and to Constantia itself.
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