Veritas chairman Christo Pienaar, left, with Diemersdal winemakers Mari Branders, Thys Louw and Juandré Bruwer.
Diemersdal Estate, renowned for its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, has once again secured a Double Gold medal in the Sauvignon Blanc category at the Veritas Awards, South Africa’s esteemed competition for commercially available wines. This year’s accolade was bestowed upon the Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2022, reinforcing the estate’s remarkable track record with this varietal. The Veritas Awards drew a participation of over 1,300 entries.
In addition to the Double Gold recognition, Diemersdal clinched four Gold medals for its red wines: The Journal Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Pinotage Reserve 2018, The Journal Pinotage 2020, and Shiraz 2021.
Thys Louw, proprietor and winemaker at Diemersdal, explains that the Sauvignon Blanc Reserve is crafted from vineyards situated at an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, making it the highest point on the Durbanville property. This unique positioning exposes the vines to the cooling influences of nearby Atlantic Ocean breezes and mists, enhanced by the brisk south-easterly winds during summer. The vineyards’ soils consist of decomposed granite with a clay component that contributes to water retention, a vital aspect as all of Diemersdal’s vineyards are dryland and depend solely on the annual 600mm rainfall.
Following harvest, the juice undergoes fermentation and is left on gross lees within stainless steel tanks for a five-month period. Monthly lees stirring enhances the wine’s flavor complexity and texture, resulting in a Sauvignon Blanc Reserve that is characterized by minimal intervention and a focus on purity, showcasing the site’s elevation, soil composition, and exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the south-eastern winds.
Louw highlights that the Veritas Awards underscored the exceptional quality of Cape Sauvignon Blanc, as 17 wines were awarded Double Gold medals within this category, making it the most highly awarded category in the competition.
“The variety has firmly established itself as a premium offering within South Africa’s wine landscape, showcasing outstanding quality and enjoying popularity among local and international enthusiasts,” says Louw. “Receiving a Veritas Double Gold is a tremendous honor, and as a producer from Durbanville, these awards play a pivotal role in elevating the reputation of Durbanville as a prominent wine region.”
