The search is on for South Africa’s most talented vintners as entries officially open for the 2025 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year and Young Winemaker of the Year awards. The winners will be announced at a prestigious black-tie gala on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
Now in its 45th year, the Winemaker of the Year award and the 25th edition of the Young Winemaker of the Year award continue to celebrate the craftsmanship, innovation, and excellence behind South Africa’s world-class wines. Unlike many competitions that spotlight individual wines, these awards honour the creators — the winemakers themselves.
This year’s featured categories are:
- Winemaker of the Year: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Young Winemaker of the Year (for entrants aged 30 and under): White Wine
Entries are free and open to all members of the South African wine industry, giving every winemaker a fair opportunity to showcase their talent. Participants may submit more than one wine, and entries close on Monday, 8 September 2025.
Launched by Diners Club to uplift and inspire the local wine industry, these awards aim to raise the standard of South African winemaking on the global stage. The Young Winemaker of the Year award specifically encourages rising stars to develop their unique style and push boundaries.
Finalists in both categories will be invited to the gala awards evening, where the winners will be honoured with:
- Winemaker of the Year: R75,000 cash prize
- Young Winemaker of the Year: R45,000 cash prize
- Plus: A return air ticket to any international wine region (T&Cs apply)
To enter and learn more, visit:
🔗 dinersclub.co.za/news-events/winemaker-of-the-year
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