Kleine Zalze Wines in Stellenbosch has led South Africa’s showing at this year’s Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), taking home the country’s only Grand Gold medal — the highest honour awarded at the international competition. The accolade was given to the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2024, a barrel-fermented and aged white wine crafted from Old Vine Chenin Blanc vineyards in Stellenbosch.
Held in early June in Yinchuan, in China’s Ningxia wine region, the 32nd edition of the CMB saw 7,165 wines from 49 countries evaluated by 375 wine experts from 56 nations. South Africa concluded the competition with one Grand Gold and 15 Gold medals, with Kleine Zalze taking top honours.
Winemaker RJ Botha says the award is a testament to Kleine Zalze’s long-standing commitment to Chenin Blanc and its pursuit of quality and distinction. “This variety has always been a cornerstone of our identity,” he says. “To have our work acknowledged at such a respected global platform is incredibly rewarding.”
The grapes for the winning wine were sourced from registered Old Vine bush vineyards planted in decomposed granite soils across Stellenbosch. Harvested in the cool early mornings, the grapes underwent a carefully considered process including 24 hours of skin contact, whole-bunch pressing for a small portion, and fermentation in a mix of older French oak barrels, concrete egg, and terracotta amphorae. The wine was aged for seven months before bottling.
“Of the 500 hectares of certified Old Vine Chenin in Stellenbosch, we manage 95 hectares,” says Botha. “This diversity of terroir has elevated our Chenin Blanc programme and this Grand Gold proves the potential of these vineyards.”
Beyond its own achievement, Botha sees the award as a broader win for South African Chenin Blanc and the country’s dedication to elevating the variety on the global stage. “South Africa’s efforts over the past decades — from vineyard preservation to winemaking innovation — have given Chenin Blanc a new identity,” he adds. “This is a story worth telling, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
