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The winners of the 14th Shiraz SA Challenge were revealed at an awards ceremony in Paarl on Thursday, 6 August, celebrating the diversity, quality and evolving styles of South African Shiraz.

The event, attended by finalists and leading figures from the wine industry, was preceded by a tasting of the finalist wines at The Venue and followed by the annual Shiraz SA Awards Function at Blacksmith’s Kitchen.

Fermentis by Lesaffre, a global leader in yeast and fermentation solutions, has been an annual silver sponsor of the Shiraz SA Awards since 2025, as well as supporting other activities hosted by Shiraz SA throughout the year.

Eighteen Winners Across Three Categories

A total of 18 winners were recognised across three categories: one Rosé, five Shiraz Blends and 12 Shiraz wines. Spier secured two awards, one in the Shiraz Blends category and another in the Shiraz category.

The Top 12 Shiraz of 2026

Listed in alphabetical order:

• Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2023
• De Grendel Op die Berg Syrah 2024
• Driehoek Syrah 2023
• Fairview Cyril Back 2023
• Groot Phesantekraal Syrah 2024
• Rickety Bridge Foundation Stone Shiraz 2025
• Riebeek Raar Shiraz Carbonic Maceration 2025
• Rooiberg Shiraz Reserve 2023
• Rust & Vrede Estate Vineyards Syrah 2022
• Spier Seaward Shiraz 2024
• Stellenbosch Hills Shiraz 2024
• Windmeul Shiraz 2023

The 2026 Shiraz Blend Winners

• Black Elephant Vintners Free Bird Bush Vines Red 2024
• Perdeberg The Dry Land Collection Joseph’s Legacy 2024
• Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend 2023
• Spier Creative Block 3 2022
• Zevenwacht Tin Mine Red 2023

The 2026 Shiraz Rosé Winner

• Benguela Cove Lighthouse Rosé 2026

Judges Impressed by Quality

The judging panel, chaired by La Motte cellar master Edmund Terblanche, assessed the entries over four days at Nederburg in Paarl. He was joined by Elzette du Preez, Denzel Swarts of Zoetendal, Samarie Smith-Meletiou and Bertho van der Westhuizen of Alto Estate.

“The single variety Shiraz/Syrah category is where South Africa is really making a statement,” said Terblanche. “Wines were beautifully integrated, handled with a lighter touch of oak and by the final round, the top 30 wines were so close in quality, it really put our tasting abilities to the test!”

He described the Shiraz Blends category as particularly enjoyable, with wines offering “a wide spectrum of flavours, combining generosity with harmony”.

Terblanche added that, although the number of Rosé entries was small, the wines were young and fresh, reflecting a growing trend towards light salmon and onion-skin colours and a dry, clean style.

“The Shiraz SA Challenge continues to raise the bar for South African wine,” concluded Terblanche. “Each year brings new stories, new expressions, and above all, an unwavering commitment to excellence.”

A Unique Approach to Wine Judging

Since 2018, judging panels have followed Shiraz SA’s distinctive method of adjudicating entries for the Shiraz SA Challenge. Each judge receives an individual tasting order, with no discussion permitted during the tasting process.

The format was developed in collaboration with Stellenbosch University to ensure impartiality and independent assessment while helping to eliminate palate fatigue.

Wine MS, a software and support company and competition sponsor, has been involved since the competition’s inception in 2013 and once again managed the scoring system.

Auditing firm Exceed Group monitored the judging procedure and verified the results, while Lebone Paarl Labels sponsored the bottle seals for the winning wines.

The Pebbles Project once again benefited from the customary donation of unused wine samples.

Stellenrust Wins 2026 Bernard Podlashuk Shiraz Trophy

The Bernard Podlashuk Shiraz Trophy and Prize, sponsored by Bellingham, was presented for the fifth time this year, with Stellenrust Wine Estate named the 2026 winner.

Journey’s End, the 2025 winner, and Lomond Wine Estate were the runner-up finalists.
Alongside the trophy, the winner receives a R30,000 cash prize.

Introduced in 2022 in honour of Bernard Joel Podlashuk, known as the “Father of South African Shiraz”, the competition comprises several levels and includes detailed questions relating to innovation, sustainability, creativity and social responsibility.

The judging panel comprised Francois Haasbroek as chairman, Dr Etienne Terblanche of Vinpro and Prof Jako Volschenk of Stellenbosch University Business School.

Curated Packs of Winning Wines

Wine enthusiasts will once again have the opportunity to purchase specially curated 12- and six-bottle packs featuring this year’s winning wines.

The 12-bottle pack features the Top 12 Shiraz winners, while the six-bottle pack includes the five winning Shiraz Blends and the winning Rosé.

The packs are assembled by Pieter Badenhorst of For the Love of Wine and can be ordered by emailing pieterb@fortheloveofwine.co.za.

Seven Days of Celebrating Shiraz

Shiraz SA is once again inviting Shiraz enthusiasts across the country to celebrate SA National Shiraz Day on Friday, 21 August, which also marks the beginning of Seven Days of Celebrating Shiraz.

Participating wineries and restaurants will host a range of programmes and events, giving wine lovers the opportunity to celebrate the noble cultivar and discover more of the diversity of South African Shiraz.