Diemersdal Enters the Realm of Legends with 12th Absa Top 10 Pinotage Trophy

Durbanville wine estate Diemersdal has cemented its place among South Africa’s most celebrated wineries, claiming its 12th Absa Top 10 Pinotage Trophy in the prestigious annual competition. This year, the accolade was awarded to The Journal Pinotage 2022, marking yet another milestone in the estate’s exceptional Pinotage journey since first entering the competition in 2010.

With a dozen Top 10 titles to its name, Diemersdal stands as one of the most successful producers in the history of the Absa Top 10 awards — and arguably the most decorated winery from the Durbanville region in terms of local honours.

“The Absa Top 10 Pinotage Trophy is one of the most coveted red wine awards in South Africa,” says Thys Louw, owner-winemaker at Diemersdal. “Winning it for the 12th time is both a privilege and an honour — especially in the year that marks the 100th anniversary of Pinotage.”

Louw adds that each award remains as thrilling as the first.

“Every trophy is special, but joining the small circle of producers with 12 Absa Top 10 awards is truly humbling.”

The Journal Pinotage 2022 was crafted from 48-year-old dryland bush vines, consistent with Diemersdal’s philosophy of unirrigated viticulture. The grapes were fermented in open-top wooden fermenters over four days, with meticulous punch-downs and pump-overs every three hours. The wine then matured for 22 months in new 225-litre French oak barrels, resulting in a complex, structured, and elegant expression of Pinotage.

Louw notes that competition in the Pinotage category is fiercer than ever:

“The number of quality Pinotage producers keeps growing as winemakers continue to discover the grape’s magic and its unique ability to express the character of South Africa’s diverse terroirs.”

Winemaker Juandré Bruwer attributes Diemersdal’s Pinotage success to the estate’s cool-climate terroir and the Louw family’s generations of expertise.

“Our dryland vineyards, rooted in clay and shale soils and cooled by the maritime breezes of Durbanville, give the wine its firm structure and bright fruit expression,” says Bruwer. “We aim for power and depth, but elegance and refinement are non-negotiable.”

He adds that the estate’s achievement reflects a shared dedication across the team:

“Pinotage is one of Diemersdal’s cornerstone varieties. From the vineyard to the bottle, our team understands what it takes to craft Pinotage of true distinction. This 12th Absa Top 10 Trophy proves that our commitment to quality remains unwavering.”