The winners of the 2022 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards were announced at a black-tie gala dinner at the Five Star Arabella Hotel & Spa in Kleinmond on Saturday 19th November, with Conrad Vlok (Strandveld Wines) and Jerome van Rooi (Cederberg) claiming top honours respectively.

The Winemaker and Young Winemaker awards, focusing on quality and recognition of excellence, are regarded as one of the country’s most prestigious and well-respected wine industry competitions. Celebrating the skills and talent of the vintners, these awards are open to all in the South African wine industry at no cost, thus affording all winemakers an equal opportunity. The Winemaker of the Year is in its 42nd year, while the Young Winemaker has been running for 22 years.

The awards are presented to the winemakers who produce a wine that the judging panel considers the best in a specified class. The categories for 2022 were Sauvignon Blanc for Winemaker of the Year, and Red Wines of any varietal or blend for Young Winemaker of the Year. The field was narrowed down to twelve finalists through rigorous judging by a panel of wine experts: with six winemakers shortlisted for the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award, and six for the Young Winemaker of the Year title.

This year’s Diners Club Winemaker of the Year (Sauvignon Blanc), Conrad Vlok, delighted the judges with his 2021 Strandveld Poffaderbos Sauvignon Blanc. The 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year, Jerome van Rooi, received his award (Red Wines category) for the 2020 Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon.

The winning Winemaker receives R50 000 while the Young Winemaker, R25 000 and a trip to an exciting wine-producing destination.

The 2022 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Judges

  • Carrie Adams - Head Judge
  • Hervé Delabesse
  • Fiona McDonald
  • Rudger van Wyk
  • Gregory Mutambe

SEE PHOTOGRAPHS AND CAPTIONS BELOW

L to R 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker and Winemaker of the Year Jerome van Rooi Cederberg Conrad Vlok Strandveld

The winners of the 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker and Winemaker of the Year awards receiving their Trophies Left Jerome van Rooi from Cederberg (2022 Young Winemaker of the Year) and Right Conrad Vlok from Strandveld Wines (2022 Winemaker of the Year)

L to R 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker and Winemaker of the Year Jerome van Rooi Cederberg Conrad Vlok Strandveld no 2

The winners of the 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker and Winemaker of the Year awards holding their winning wines Left Jerome van Rooi (2022 Young Winemaker of the Year) with his 2020 Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon, and Right Conrad Vlok (2022 Winemaker of the Year) with his 2021 Strandveld Poffaderbos Sauvignon Blanc

Conrad Vlok Strandveld Wines with his 2022 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Trophy

Conrad Vlok (Strandveld Wines) with his 2022 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Trophy

Jerome van Rooi Cederberg with his 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year Trophy

Jerome van Rooi (Cederberg) with his 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year Trophy