HIGHLIGHTs of the 2026 Shiraz SA Challenge results include Spier of Stellenbosch winning in both the straight Shiraz and Shiraz blend categories, Windmeul of Paarl offering great value at R90 for a winning Shiraz, and Benguela Cove of Hermanus coming top in the Shiraz Rosé class.
Of the two premium-priced wines among the Top 12 Shiraz laureates, Cederberg Teen die Hoog is no longer only available via the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction, and the Cyril Back from Fairview in Paarl is typically a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the 2023 and 2016 being the only 100% Shiraz of the nine vintages released to date.
Judged over four days, the competition entries comprised 116 Shiraz, 30 Shiraz blends and 6 Shiraz Rosés. The panel was chaired by La Motte cellarmaster Edmund Terblance and included winemakers Elzette du Preez (De Grendel) and Bartho van der Westhuizen (Alto), Denzel Swarts of Zoetendal and wine writer Samarie Smith-Meletiou.
TOP 12 SHIRAZ WINNERS
Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2023
R1100pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
De Grendel Op die Berg Syrah 2024
R370pb ex-cellar, Panorama-Durbanville
Driehoek Syrah 2023
Price t.b.c. – Cederberg cellar
Fairview Cyril Back 2023
R1250pb ex-cellar, Agter-Paarl
Groot Phesantekraal Syrah 2024
R195pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
RAAR Shiraz Carbonic Maceration 2025
R197pb ex-Riebeek Valley Wine Co, Riebeek Kasteel-Swartland
Rickety Bridge Foundation Stone Shiraz 2025
R200pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Rooiberg Reserve Shiraz 2023
R175pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Rust en Vrede Syrah 2022
R450pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Spier Seaward Shiraz 2024
R160pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Hills Shiraz 2024
R125pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Windmeul Shiraz 2023
R90pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
TOP 5 SHIRAZ BLENDS
Black Elephant Free Bird Bush Vines Red Blend 2024
R425pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Perdeberg Dry Land Joseph's Legacy 2024
R212pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend 2023
R250pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Spier Creative Block 3 2022
R260pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Zevenwacht Tin Mine Syrah Mourvèdre Grenache 2023
R190pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch
TOP SHIRAZ ROSÉ
Benguela Cove Lighthouse Rosé 2026
R135pb ex-cellar, Hermanus