The spotlight shines brightly on the world of South African winemaking as the results of the much-anticipated 2023 Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards are announced. Ten wines have emerged victorious, showcasing the mastery of their craft and the diverse terroirs that contribute to their unique character. This year’s competition marks a significant milestone, celebrating more than 26 years of honouring the finest pinotage wines, proudly supported by Absa bank. The Pinotage Association was established in 1995, and will celebrate its 28th year in November.
A culmination of expertise, innovation and artistry, the Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards recognise the finest expressions of this quintessentially South African varietal. The winning wines have been meticulously selected from an impressive line-up of submissions, representing the pinnacle of Pinotage craftsmanship.
Diverse Excellence in Every Sip
This year’s esteemed winners represent a range of vintages, from the robust richness of 2017 to the youthful vibrancy of 2021. The competition’s breadth is reflected in the diverse origins of these exceptional wines. From the picturesque Stellenbosch to the pristine Paarl, the captivating Coastal Region to the historic Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, the windswept Swartland to the charming Wellington, each bottle embodies the essence of its unique terroir.
The 10 exceptional wine producers that have triumphed in this year’s competition are:
Beeslaar Pinotage 2019, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2020, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Anri Truter
Fairview Primo Pinotage 2020, Paarl – Winemaker Anthony de Jager
Francois van Niekerk Pinotage 2021, Coastal Region – Winemaker Francois van Niekerk
Kanonkop Pinotage 2017, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch – Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar
Stellenbosch 1679 Old Vine Pinotage 2021, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Nicholas Husselman
L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage 2020, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Dirk Coetzee
Survivor Pinotage Reserve 2021, Swartland – Winemaker Ben Snyman
Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2018, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Johan Jordaan
Wellington Wines La Cave Pinotage 2021, Wellington – Francois van Niekerk
Beyers Truter, chairperson of the Pinotage Association, reflected on this momentous occasion: “The Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards celebrate not only the dedication of the winemakers, but also the essence of pinotage, a grape that is proudly South African and continues to captivate the world.”
The Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards celebrate the finest expressions of the uniquely South African pinotage varietal.
