This competition is run by the South African National Wine Show Association (SANWSA), a fully recognised wine industry organisation, which also runs the Veritas Awards among others. It is now in its 14th year and aims to identify smart new voices in the wine industry.

This year’s competition comprises two wine-related categories, respectively for articles and blogs. Prize money to the value of R25 000 is at stake. The writer of the winning article will receive R15 000 with R5,000 for the runner-up position and R5 000 for the best blog.

“We are excited that the competition continues to find new wine writing talent year after year to inform and inspire wine lovers,” says the organisation’s chairperson, Christo Pienaar. It provides an avenue for new influencers to join the conversation in this dynamic field. As an industry stakeholder, we strive to grow wine interest and knowledge,” he adds.

WineLand Media, the competition’s media partner, will publish the winning articles and blogs. Veritas will also continue collaborating with the Departments of Journalism at the University of Stellenbosch, University of Cape Town and Cape Peninsula University of Technology to encourage their students to write about wine.

Says WineLand Media editor, Wanda Augustyn, “At WineLand, we have a front row seat to how our industry is changing, and new voices are an important part of that story – bringing fresh perspectives and different questions, often seeing opportunities that others may overlook. The Award gives emerging writers the confidence and platform to share those perspectives. For WineLand, supporting this award is about making space for new voices and helping develop the storytellers who will influence how South African wine is understood, challenged and celebrated in the years ahead.”

Entrants are to complete one or both of the following assignments:

  • Magazine Print Article – 1 000 words in English or Afrikaans
  • Blog Web Article – 600 words in English or Afrikaans

The topics cover a wide range for both the Magazine and the Blog items. See full details below.

The competition is open to all South African citizens or residents aged 18-35. No full-time, established wine writers or previous new wine writer winners are eligible to enter.

The entries will be judged by a panel of experienced and distinguished South African wine writers. Participants are to present their theses in MS Word format to [email protected], along with a completed entry form and short CV stating details of possible previous wine-writing activities.

The closing date for entries is Monday 21 September 2026. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 13 October 2026.

Guidelines for writing an article or a blog

Each article/blog should be written in the third person and built around interviews with three relevant people, or three different sources quoted, (or a combination) giving each piece different voices, anecdotes and perspectives. It is important to have a good mix of perspectives rather than relying on a single voice.

Topics for Veritas Wine Writer of the year 2026

A.Write a magazine article in the third person of 1 000 words in Afrikaans/English on one of the topics below within the context of the wine industry.

The article can be a profile, investigation, lifestyle, technology or current affairs treatment of the topic. Include perspectives of at least three credible sources in the wine value chain.

B.Write a blog web article of 600 words on any of the topics below for a blog.

The article can be a profile, investigation, lifestyle, technology or current affairs treatment of the topic.

A. The list of topics to choose from for a magazine article:

1.Who will drink South African wine tomorrow?

A look at the next generation of South African wine consumers. How are younger people discovering wine, what prevents them from entering the category, and do the traditional language, marketing and experiences surrounding wine still resonate with them?

2.The changing face of the South African winemaker

An exploration of what it means to be a winemaker today. The role increasingly extends beyond the cellar into farming, sustainability, tourism, sales, exports, marketing and even social media. It could contrast the experiences of an established winemaker with those of a younger generation and look at the skills future winemakers will need.

3.Can wine tourism sell more South African wine?

Wine tourism has evolved far beyond the traditional tasting counter, but does an exceptional visitor experience translate into lasting brand loyalty and wine sales? This could look at how estates turn visitors into long-term customers and what actually makes that relationship stick once they leave the farm.

B. The list of topics to choose from for blog web article:

1.The wine rules South Africans are quietly breaking

A fun look at all those supposed rules around wine, from food pairing and glassware to serving temperatures and putting ice in your glass, and which ones really still matter.

2.What makes a wine farm worth returning to?

A look beyond the obvious attractions to find out what makes visitors genuinely remember a wine farm and want to return. It could be the hospitality, storytelling, food, people or even the resident farm dog.

3.Wine’s most misunderstood jobs

A fun introduction to three of the lesser-known people behind wine, exploring what they actually do, what people misunderstand about their jobs and how their work contributes to what eventually ends up in the bottle.

Requests for entry forms or any enquiries may be directed to the SANWSA/Veritas office at tel 021 863 1599, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.veritas.co.za.

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Issued by Veritas Awards Contact Bennie Howard, Marketing or Elsabé Ferreira, GM at [email protected]