From left: RJ Botha (cellarmaster), Norman Paulse (cellar manager), Natalie Botha and Lizemari Geldenhuys (winemakers), and Gerald Snyman (farm manager).
Kleine Zalze Wine Estate, situated in Stellenbosch, once again solidified its position as one of South Africa’s most highly acclaimed wineries by securing the prestigious Best Achiever title at this year’s Veritas Awards, the country’s foremost wine competition, specifically for producers entering more than 10 wines. The awards ceremony, held at the historic Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl, saw Kleine Zalze clinch an impressive four Double Gold medals and three Gold medals on its path to the coveted Best Achiever recognition.
The annual Veritas Awards attracted a substantial 1,312 wine entries, meticulously evaluated by a panel of over 70 esteemed South African wine experts.
Kleine Zalze’s Double Gold accolades were bestowed upon the Family Reserve Old Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2015, Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2020, Family Reserve Shiraz 2012, and Vineyard Selection Grenache 2021.
Further Gold medals were granted to Kleine Zalze’s Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2021, Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Vintage Brut Cap Classique 2015, and the Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.
Expressing a mix of elation and relief, Kleine Zalze’s cellarmaster, RJ Botha, shared his reaction to the four Double Gold wins and the Best Achiever distinction. He admitted that he hadn’t anticipated this level of success at Veritas 2022. Botha recounted his initial surprise when their name was announced for the Double Gold awards after the Gold medals had already been revealed. He emphasized his pride on behalf of the entire Kleine Zalze family, spanning vineyards, cellars, marketing, and sales departments. This accomplishment signifies their collective dedication to establishing the brand as a premier producer of a diverse range of consumer-focused wines that embody quality, identity, and uniqueness.
Botha emphasized the diversity within the range of wines that earned Double Gold and Gold medals, encompassing Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Grenache, Méthode Cap Classique, and Cabernet Sauvignon. He credited this accomplishment to Kleine Zalze’s commitment to harnessing various grape varieties from carefully selected vineyard sites across the Cape. In the cellar, they adeptly tailor their winemaking techniques to bring out the best from each parcel of fruit. Botha noted that this approach is an ongoing journey of innovation, adaptation, and pushing boundaries, in order to continually elevate the fundamental aspect of quality. He concluded that their dedication transforms quality into a perpetual quest, rather than a finite destination.
