FOR THE FIRST time in five years, South Africa won one of the most prestigious awards at the International Wine Challenge in London, with Le Grand Domaine of Devon Valley in Stellenbosch presented with the trophy for best Cabernet Sauvignon on show at the 2025 edition – ahead of the French, Australians, Americans, everyone else! Interestingly, though, while the 2022 Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon was the only South African wine included among the IWC's nine ‘International Varietal Trophy' winners, the ‘South African Red Trophy' went to a Shiraz, the 2022 Stella from Beau Constantia. Whereas the ‘South African White Trophy' was awarded for the 2023 Estate blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from Vergelegen, Somerset West.
The International Wine Challenge is one of the biggest, most respected wine competitions in the world, with thousands of entries blind-tasted over a two-week period by hundreds of judges from more than 30 countries – every decision scrutinised by the co-chairs, who in 2025 were Tim Atkin MW, Sam Caporn MW, Oz Clarke, Jamie Goode, Peter McCombie MW and Helen McGinn.
Referring to South Africa being at the crossroads of Old and New World, IWC editor Chris Boiling reported that the country “continues to impress with its modern versions of old French grapes”. In 2025, producers in the Cape winelands were awarded 264 medals, including 23 golds, 111 silvers and 91 bronzes. According to the IWC report on the medal results, in advance of the trophy tasting, some of the big names hitting the right notes with the judges included Groot Constantia and Vergelegen. “The overall quality of wines from South Africa has reached new heights,” said Boiling. “Seriously good… from Chardonnays to Cabernets. We also tasted a fantastic Sangiovese [blend], Bouchard-Finlayson's Hannibal 2021.” See below for all of the most highly-scored SA wines at the Challenge. For the full results, click here.
TOP SA TROPHY WINNERS
Beau Constantia Stella 2022 (Shiraz)
South African Syrah Trophy
South African Red Trophy
R440pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2012
South African Sparkling Trophy
Cap Classique: Chardonnay
R1300pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
South African Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
R325pb ex-Le Grand cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
Hasher Batrachella Pinotage 2022
Pinotage Trophy
R595pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde
Vergelegen Estate White 2023
South African White Trophy
Blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
R375pb ex-cellar, Somerset Wine
RATED 96 POINTS
Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2024
R285pb ex-cellar, Constantia
RATED 95 POINTS
Backsberg John Martin Red Blend 2023
Bordeaux-style Red Blend
R229pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Beau Constantia Pierre 2024
White Blend: Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon
R480pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Bellingham Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage 2021
R280pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Bellingham Freda 2023
White Blend: Semillon and Chenin Blanc
R490pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2021
Sangiovese-driven Red Blend
R399pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Ernie Els Big Easy Red Blend 2023
R200pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Franschhoek Cellar Last Elephant 2019
Red Blend: Bordeaux-Style
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Hasher Marimist Chardonnay 2023
R495pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde
KWV Mentors Grenache Blanc 2022
R179pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Neethlingshof Pinotage 2023
R150pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Neil Ellis Whitehall Chardonnay 2022
R360pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Neil Ellis Whitehall Chardonnay 2023
R360pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Oak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay 2023
R300pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Old Road Grand-mére Semillon 2017
Museum Class, Producer in Franschhoek
Richard's Elgin Chardonnay 2022
Export Wine, Kershaw Wines, Elgin
Thelema Mint Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
R575pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Vergelegen Reserve Chardonnay 2023
R350pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
