The prestigious Absa Vintage Awards, hosted by the Pinotage Association, has once again shone a spotlight on the unique aging potential of Pinotage wines. This competition stands out as the only one in South Africa dedicated exclusively to this varietal, offering an unparalleled platform for showcasing the excellence of aged Pinotage wines. A Unique Celebration of Pinotage What makes the Absa Vintage Awards distinct are several key factors. Firstly, Pinotage is the sole varietal featured, ensuring a focused celebration of this iconic South African grape. It is also the only competition in the country dedicated to highlighting the aging potential of Pinotage. Moreover, this competition is judged exclusively by the esteemed Cape Wine Masters, adding a layer of prestige and expertise to the evaluation process.

Having raised over R125m for children’s charities in the Cape Winelands since its inception in 2014, this year’s Cape Wine Auction will be held on Muratie Estate in Stellenbosch on 3rd February aiming to better the sum of R8m raised by the previous year’s event. The Cape Wine Auction, recognised as one of the world’s pre-eminent wine-themed charity auctions, will once again auction various donated lots comprising luxurious wine, food and hospitality experiences for auctioning, with all proceeds going to various charities aimed at bettering the lives of the children and youth residing in South Africa’s famous Cape Winelands.

Tommy Hall is not a man who leaves things to chance. As Director of Global Operations for a Fortune 500 technology company, Hall is all about meticulous planning, managing risk and being prepared for the unexpected. And yet, fate must have played a hand in bringing Hall and his family to the beautiful Franschhoek valley.

For just as Tommy, his wife Crystal and his son Gavin were seeking to carve out a life on the continent with which they feel a deep kinship, a chance encounter led Hall to the gates of an historic Cape farm. It was a place offering both a new adventure and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of a Cape farming community.

Franschhoek's La Petite Ferme, known for its world-class luxury accommodation and recently recognised as a leader in the hospitality industry by the prestigious Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards 2023, winning four awards in the categories Best Scenic Environment Hotel, Best Country Hotel in Africa, Best Culinary Experience in Africa and Best Small Hotel in Africa, has garnered more awards

Diemersdal Estate in Durbanville underscored its status as one of South Africa’s leading Sauvignon Blanc producers by securing a Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 award for the seventh consecutive year. At the recent announcement of the annual FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10, an annual competition aimed at recognizing the best Sauvignon Blanc wines in the country, Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2023 saw this sixth-generation estate claim one of the coveted Top 10 slots.

Attention all wine and champagne aficionados! Brace yourselves for a whirlwind of flavour and elegance this October because we're in for a double delight that'll tantalise your taste buds and uplift your spirits! Kicking off this fabulous month, we're diving headfirst into the second week of October with nothing less than Local Wine Week. It's the time when we, proud South African locals, get to bask in the glory of our nation's finest wines. Picture yourself savouring the rich, sun-kissed grapes from the heart of our land.

Star Wine List of the Year celebrated the great wine lists in South Africa. The Grand Prix and two more Gold Stars was won by Culture Wine Bar in Cape Town. “Impressive to see the continuous development across the board, despite all struggles of the previous years. Many wine lists had an even clearer structure, focus, and good balance of local and international wines. As a sommelier I was particularly excited by the large amount of mature vintages on offer. Cheers to the South African sommelier community!” says Jury member Marc Almert, ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2019.