IT WAS IN 2018 that the Old Vine Project launched the Certified Heritage Vineyards seal that wine producers can place on bottles of wine made using grapes from vineyards that are at least 35 years old, with the seal confirming the year in which the vines were planted. South Africa was the first country where such certification was implemented, and in 2024 the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) adopted a resolution recognising the special nature of vines over 35 years old on a global scale – the OIV representing around 50 wine-producing nations around the world.
Increasingly, respected panels of wine judges have included ‘old vine’, ‘heritage vineyard’ and the like among those categories warranting particular focus. For the 2026 edition of Winemag’s Old Vine Report, sponsored by financial services provider NFB Private Wealth Management, there were 77 entries from 48 South African producers – all of the wines from Certified Heritage Vineyards registered with SAWIS and approved by the Old Vine Project, the panel of judges comprising Winemag editor Christian Eedes (chair), James Pietersen, CEO of Cape Town wine merchant Brice & Burnett, together with wine and hospitality specialist Francois Rautenbach.
See below for the most highly rated ‘old vine’ wines in the Winemag report, plus the top ‘old vine’ reds and whites highlighted at South Africa’s Trophy Wine Show and Terroir Awards earlier in the year. The country’s Veritas Awards competition also accommodated Heritage Vineyard classes, however the ratings of these entries were not as high.
Some of these wines originated in vineyards considerably older than 35 – over 50 in many instances, some over 100. For more, click here.
PANEL RATING OF 96/100
FRAM Stagmanskop Chenin Blanc 2025
From Piekenierskloof vineyard planted in 1987
R309pb ex producer, Piketberg-Swartland
PANEL RATING OF 95/100
Flagstone Paradigm Chenin Blanc 2025
From Agter-Paarl vineyard planted in 1979
R273pb ex-cellar, Somerset West / Strand
Joostenberg Agteros Chenin Blanc 2025
From Paarl vineyard planted in 1989
R245pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Klawer Cellars Hanepoot 2026
From Olifants River vineyard planted in 1979
R99pb ex-cellar, Klawer-Olifants River
Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2025
From Stellenbosch vineyard planted in 1980
R245pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Old Road Rix Dollar Single Vineyard Cinsault 2025
From Stellenbosch vineyard planted in 1974
R390pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Rickety Bridge Regna Loca Cinsault 2025
From Paarl vineyard planted in 1954
R350pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Thistle & Weed Duwweltjie Chenin Blanc 2025
From Paarl vineyard planted in 1961
R395pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch
PANEL RATING OF 97/100
Allée Bleue Old Vine Cinsaut 2025
From Piekenierskloof vineyard
R550pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Rickety Bridge Regna Loca Semillon 2025
From Franschhoek vineyard planted in 1905
R300pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Roodekrantz Donkermaan Chenin Blanc 2024
From Helderberg vineyard planted in 1968
R440pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
PANEL RATING OF 96/100
Jordan Timepiece Chenin Blanc 2025
From Stellenbosch vineyard over 40 years old
R250pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
TOP HERITAGE VINEYARD WINE
Stettyn Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2025
From Stettyn vineyard over 40 years old
R250pb ex-cellar, Stettyn-Worcester
• Stettyn Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2025 was also one of the winning wines in the 2026 Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, another being City on a Hill Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024 from the Swartland. Apparently six of the Top 10 were made from grapes grown in Certified Heritage Vineyards…