HASHER in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Newstead in Plettenberg Bay produced the top-scorers – a red and a bubbly – from South Africa at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK). As in previous editions, the SA gold, silver and bronze medallists at the competition were announced in advance of the trophy presentations later in the year, with the top accolades chosen on the basis of the panel of judges retasting all of the gold medal winners. It's possible that some of the wines scored 96 and 95 on the IWC's 100-point scale will be more highly rated at the end of the day, but the front-runners end-July were the 97-pointers Hasher Cyriel Cabernet Franc 2023 and the 2018 Newstead Brut Blanc de Blancs Cap Classique.
“Cabernet Sauvignon emerged as one of the competition's strongest categories, earning seven gold medals, most awarded to Stellenbosch wines,” said Beth Pearce MW. Colleague David Kermode (journalist and broadcaster) observed that “Chenin Blanc collected over 60 medals, confirming its position as one of South Africa's signature varieties.” Pinot Noir and Chardonnay “continued their upward trajectory”, and “world class” was how the judges described the best Cap Classique sparkling wines at this, one of the most established and largest panel tastings in the world.
Of the SA wines that won gold at IWSC 2026 (see below), some vintages had already excelled at other shows: Backsberg Patriarch Cab Franc 2023 and Boschendal Black Angus 2020 scored 97 and 95 respectively at the Decanter World Wine Awards, while Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2020 scored 97 at the Trophy Wine Show.
The judges: Victoria Mason MW (buyer at The Wine Society), David Kermode (UK journalist and broadcaster), Dan Orton (buyer at The 10 Cases), Beth Kelly MW (wine product development manager at Tesco), Beth Pearce MW (head buyer at Flint Wines), Winnie Bowman CWM, sommeliers Tinashe Musora and Shane Mumba, Conrad Louw CWM, Lauren Segers-Jewell (buyer at Brice & Burnett), Andrew Shelley (co-founder of Winelab.Africa).
97/100
Hasher Cyriel Cabernet Franc 2023
R625pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde
Newstead Brut Blanc de Blancs 2018
R430pb ex-cellar, Plettenberg Bay
96/100
Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R220pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Louisvale Dominique 2022 (Red Blend)
R225pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
Mont Rochelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
R372pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Peter Falke Kanoa 2020 (Red Blend)
R480pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R440pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2024
R355pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
95/100
Backsberg Patriarch Cabernet Franc 2023
R270pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Beau Constantia Cecily 2025 (Viognier)
R420pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Beau Constantia Pierre 2025 (White Blend)
R510pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2025
R260pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Boschendal Black Angus 2020 (Red Blend)
R575pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay 2017
Museum Class, Cellar in Franschhoek
Brookdale Mason Road Syrah 2025
R165pb ex-cellar, Klein Drakenstein-Paarl
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
R180pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2020
R420pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
R325pb ex-Le Grand cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
Hartenberg Chardonnay 2024
R225pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Hasher Ernest Pinot Noir 2024
R625pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde
KWV Mentors Grenache Blanc 2024
R149pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Paul René Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut 2022
R300pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Paul René Brut Rosé 2022
R275pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Shannon RocknRolla Pinot Noir 2023
R645pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Shannon Triangle Block Semillon 2019
Museum Class, cellar in Elgin
Stark-Condé Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
R380pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek Valley-Stellenbosch
Steenberg Catharina 2022 (Red Blend)
R450pb ex-cellar, Tokai-Constantia Wine Route