This year, more than 37 wines were submitted. Of these, 27 wines from 16 producers achieved scores of 90 points and higher, earning the coveted Excellence Award. The judging panel consisted of Cape Wine Masters Bennie Howard, Anton Swart, Christine Rudman, Sandy Harper and Colin Frith, who assessed the entries in a rigorous blind tasting.

Beyers Truter, Chairman of the Pinotage Association, reflected on the results: “These awards highlight the enduring quality and character of South African wines. To see so many wines achieving such high recognition after more than a decade in bottle is a testament to both the grape and the people behind it.”

2025 Absa Award of Excellence Recipients

  • Beeslaar Wines – Beeslaar Pinotage 2015 (Abrie Beeslaar)
  • Bergsig Estate – Bergsig Pinotage 2008 (De Wet Lategan)
  • Beyerskloof Wines – Beyerskloof Pinotage 2014; Diesel Pinotage 2015; Pinotage Reserve 2013, 2014, 2015 (Anri Truter)
  • Fairview – Primo Pinotage 2010 (Anthony de Jager)
  • Flagstone Winery – Writer’s Block Pinotage 2009 (Gerhard Swart)
  • Grangehurst Winery – Pinotage 2013, 2005, 2003 (Jeremy Walker)
  • Groot Constantia Wine Estate – Pinotage 2015 (Daniel Keulder)
  • KWV – The Mentors Pinotage 2014, 2013, 2011 (Izele van Blerk)
  • L’Avenir Wine Estate – Platinum Pinotage 2011; Pinotage 2003 (Dirk Coetzee)
  • Neethlingshof Estate – Owl Post Pinotage 2014, 2012 (Mika Engelbrecht)
  • Neil Ellis Wines – Bottelary Hills Pinotage 2015 (Warren Ellis)
  • Simonsig Family Vineyards – Redhill Pinotage 2015 (Michael Malan)
  • Vondeling Wines – Bowwood Pinotage 2015 (Emilie van der Merwe)
  • Wellington Wines – La Cave Pinotage 2015 (Daniel Slabber)
  • Wildekrans Wine Estate – Barrel Select Reserve Pinotage 2010; Pinotage 2009 (De Wet Viljoen)
  • Windmeul Kelder – Reserve Pinotage 2015 (Abraham van Heerden)

The Absa Vintage Pinotage Award of Excellence continue to shine a light on the depth and longevity of South Africa’s wine heritage, reinforcing the value of preserving and recognising older vintages. Again, highlighting one of Pinotages most admired qualities: its ability to mature gracefully.

For more information contact [email protected], visit pinotage.co.za for more info on the winners.