The 2019 Absa Top 10 Pinotage winners announced

Image via AgriOrbit

Judges for the 2019 competition were treated to exceptional wines and consisted of Dr Winnie Bowman (competition chair), Greg Sherwood (London-based Wine Master), Razvan Macici (award-winning winemaker), Nomonde Kubheka (winemaker connected to Pinotage Youth Development Academy), Frans Smit (Spier cellarmaster) and Solly Monyamane (protégé).

The 2019 Absa Top 10 Pinotage winners:

Anura Pinotage Reserve 2016

WO Simonsberg-Paarl (Anura), winemaker Stander Maass.

Badsberg Pinotage 2018

WO Breedekloof (Badsberg Wynkelder), winemaker Henri Swiegers.

Beyerskloof Winemaker’s Reserve Pinotage 2017

WO Stellenbosch (Beyerskloof Wyne), winemaker Anri Truter.

Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2018

WO Durbanville (Diemersdal Landgoed), winemaker Thys Louw.

Fleur du Cap Series Privée Pinotage 2016

WO Coastal Region (Distell – Fleur du Cap Wines), winemaker Pieter Badenhorst.

Kanonkop Pinotage 2015

WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch (Kanonkop Wine Estate), winemaker Abrie Beeslaar.

Survivor Pinotage 2017

WO Swartland (Overhex Wines International), winemaker Ben Snyman.

Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2017

WO Stellenbosch (Simonsig Landgoed), winemaker Debbie Thompson.

Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2016

WO Voor Paardeberg (Vondeling Wines), winemaker Matthew Copeland.

Wildekrans Pinotage Barrel Select Reserve 2016

WO Botrivier (Wildekrans Wine Estate), winemaker Braam Gericke.

The winning wines

The Absa Top 10 Pinotage wines are from six different wine regions, with the Stellenbosch and Paarl regions boasting the highest amount of winning wines with three and two wines, respectively.

Kanonkop made history by making the Absa Top 10 Pinotage for the 14th year. Not only is their Pinotage the oldest winning wine this year, but also the only winner from vintage 2015. Beyerskloof claimed their 9th trophy in the competition with their Beyerskloof Winemaker’s Reserve Pinotage 2017. Simonsig rounds off Stellenbosch’s winning wine tally in this year’s Absa Top 10 Pinotage winning line-up, with their Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2017.

The two 2018 vintage wines in this year’s winning line-up, the Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2018 and the Badsberg Pinotage 2018, are the only wines from the Durbanville and Breedekloof regions, respectively.

Vondeling Wines, making its debut as an Absa Top 10 Pinotage winner with the Vondeling Pinotage 2016, is joined by another 2016 wine from the Paarl region, namely the Anura Pinotage Reserve 2016.

The Fleur du Cap Series Privée Pinotage 2016 and the Wildekrans Pinotage Barrel Select Reserve 2016 are the two other 2016 vintage wines that emerged victorious. The 2016 vintage is the most represented vintage with four winning wines.

And last of the Top 10, but not least, we have the Survivor Pinotage 2017 as sole representative from the Swartland region.

The Museum Class Trophy winners:

The 3rd year producers were invited to submit Pinotage wines older than ten years for the Museum/Icon Class category. These iconic vintage Pinotage wines provide tangible proof that Pinotage has remarkable ageing potential.

Fairview Primo Pinotage 2007

WO Coastal origin (Fairview), winemaker Anthony de Jager.

Hill & Dale Pinotage 2007

WO Stellenbosch (Hill & Dale), winemaker Guy Webber.

Rijk’s Private Cellar Pinotage 2009

WO Tulbagh (Rijk’s Cellars), winemaker Pierre Wahl.

2019 Absa Top 10 The runners-up:

Lutzville Francois le Vaillant Pinotage 2016

WO Lutzville Valley (Cape Diamond Wines), winemaker Christoff de Wet.

Diemersdal MM Louw Pinotage 2017

WO Durbanville (Diemersdal Landgoed), winemaker Thys Louw.

Kanonkop Pinotage 2017

WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch (Kanonkop Wine Estate), winemaker Abrie Beeslaar.

KWV The Mentors Pinotage (Coastal) 2017

WO Coastal origin (KWV), winemaker Izéle van Blerk.

Moreson Widow Maker Pinotage 2016

WO Stellenbosch (Moreson), winemaker Clayton Reabow.

Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2016

WO Stellenbosch (Simonsig Landgoed), winemaker Debbie Thompson.

Viljoensdrift River Grandeur Single Vineyard Pinotage 2017

WO Robertson (Viljoensdrift Associated Wineries cc), winemaker Fred Viljoen.

Wildekrans Pinotage Barrel Select Reserve 2015

WO Botrivier (Wildekrans Wine Estate), winemaker Braam Gericke.

Windmeul The Legend Collection Pinotage 2017

WO Coastal origin (Windmeul Kelder), winemaker Abraham van Heerden.

Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2016

WO Paarl (Windmeul Kelder), winemaker Abraham van Heerden.

Pinotage prospering worldwide

Beyers Truter, chairperson and founder of the Pinotage Association, highlighted that Pinotage’s quality continues its upwards curve and that the market for wines made from this cultivar continues to grow – locally and abroad. “The exceptional quality of the wines we’re seeing year after year shows us that producers, viticulturists and winemakers are pulling together,” says Truter. “In the end it’s all about being in touch with one’s terroir. Absa shares this opinion and has been a partner of the Pinotage Association for more than two decades. They also share our long-term vision, which is one of Pinotage prospering worldwide.

“What I also find particularly encouraging is the variety of styles possible with Pinotage. This year the extraordinary spread of winners hail from six wine regions, each with their unique style, character and challenges. Our young winemakers are a brave bunch and are pushing the boundaries of what their respective regions can offer in terms of not only quality, but also diversity.”

Benefiting communities

Tina Playne, Absa’s managing executive of sectors and segments relationship banking, confirms the very rewarding partnership with the Pinotage Association and the immense pride that comes with attending the annual Absa Top 10 Pinotage event. “We have been part of the Pinotage journey for 23 years and are sure that this great partnership will not only continue, but also thrive,” Playne says. “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists and please continue with what you are doing. Realise that we are not only celebrating your Top 10 success, but also your contribution towards agribusiness, one of the pillars of the Western Cape economy.

"While it is important for us to thrive in our business, we believe that doing so should also benefit communities in which we are involved. If these communities do well, if they grow, so do we. When societies are uplifted, all of us are uplifted."