The Pinotage Association is delighted to reveal the much-anticipated finalists for the 2023 Pinotage Competition, who make up the esteemed Absa Top 20 Pinotage selection. This annual competition, generously sponsored by Absa Bank, serves as a spotlight for the finest South African Pinotage wines, highlighting the passion and craftsmanship of the nation’s winemakers.
Devoted to the promotion and advancement of the distinctive Pinotage varietal, the Pinotage Association takes great pride in continuing its collaboration with Absa Bank. The bank’s steadfast dedication to bolstering the South African wine industry has played a pivotal role in propelling the Top 10 Pinotage competition to success over numerous years.
Beyers Truter, Chairman of the Pinotage Association, conveyed his enthusiasm for this year’s finalists, stating, “We are astoundingly impressed by the caliber of Pinotage wines submitted for the 2023 competition. The Top 20 finalists stand as a testament to winemaking excellence, displaying the multifaceted nature and potential of the Pinotage varietal. These results underscore the unwavering quality of Pinotage wines being crafted. Our sincere appreciation goes to Absa Bank for their continuous support, enabling us to elevate the competition to new heights.”
“As Absa, we take immense pride in contributing to the Pinotage success narrative, which mirrors our commitment to value creation, perseverance, and resilience,” affirmed Sanah Gumede, Managing Executive: Strategy and Customer Value Management for Relationship Banking at Absa Group. “We remain firmly dedicated to supporting the South African wine industry, while nurturing enduring partnerships with stakeholders and clients, as we jointly empower Africa’s future… one story at a time.”
Now in its 28th year, the Absa Top 10 Pinotage competition has evolved into a prestigious stage for vintners to showcase their mastery of the Pinotage grape, a distinct and quintessentially South African variety. This year’s selection process posed a particularly arduous task due to the exceptionally high caliber of Pinotage entries.
2023 20 Finalists
The Top 20 Pinotage finalists for the 2023 competition, listed in alphabetical order of the winery, are as follows:
- Beeslaar Wines – 2019 Beeslaar Pinotage
- Beyerskloof Wines – 2020 Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage
- Beyerskloof Wines – 2019 Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage
- Diemersdal – 2021 Diemersdal The Journal Pinotage
- Fairview Wines – 2020 Fairview Primo Pinotage
- Francois van Niekerk Wines – 2021 Francois van Niekerk Pinotage
- Kanonkop Wine Estate – 2018 Kanonkop Pinotage
- Kanonkop Wine Estate – 2017 Kanonkop Pinotage
- Koelenhof Wynkelder – 2021 Stellenbosch 1679 Old Vine Pinotage
- KWV – 2020 KWV The Mentors Pinotage
- L’Avenir Wine Estate – 2020 L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage
- Lyngrove Wines & Vineyards – 2020 Lyngrove Platinum Pinotage
- Overhex Wines International – 2021 Survivor Pinotage Reserve
- Rijk’s Cellars – 2018 Rijk’s Pinotage Reserve
- Spier Wines – 2018 Spier 21 Gables Pinotage
- Springfontein Wine Estate – 2018 Springfontein Single Vineyard Jonathan’s Ridge Pinotage
- Vondeling Wines – 2020 Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage
- Wellington Wines – 2021 Wellington Wines La Cave Pinotage
- Wellington Wines – 2019 Wellington Wines La Cave Pinotage
- Windmeul Kelder – 2021 Windmeul The Legend Collection Pinotage
2023 Entries statistics
134 Entries: A testament to the vibrant spirit of the wine community, this year’s competition boasts 134 entries. Each bottle carries within it a story, a labour of love that has been carefully nurtured from vine to glass.
73 Wine Farms: Behind every bottle lies the dedication of 73 exceptional wine producers. These vineyard guardians are the unsung heroes, cultivating grapes that embody the terroir’s character and the winemaker’s vision.
Vintages, a Tapestry of Time:
2014: A solitary gem, capturing the essence of a single moment in time.
2017: 2 vintages, each bearing witness to a unique climate and a winemaker’s skill.
2018: 6 expressions, where innovation and tradition intertwine.
2019: 11 vintages, each unveiling a chapter of growth and refinement.
2020: A remarkable 46 vintages, a testament to a year that nature favoured.
2021: 58 stories of resilience, as vines weathered the elements to produce exceptional fruit.
2022: 10 young contenders, a glimpse into the future of Pinotage excellence.
Unveiling the Regions:
From the Cape’s rolling landscapes emerge the distinct voices of various areas, each contributing its own flair to the competition’s narrative:
Botrivier, Bottelary, and Breedekloof: Diverse terroirs, united by Pinotage’s allure.
Coastal Region and Cape Town: A symphony of flavours from the edge of the continent.
Durbanville and Franschhoek: A tale of elegance and history.
Jonkershoek Valley and Walker Bay: Singular expressions that echo in the glass.
Stellenbosch and Paarl: Pillars of Pinotage prowess, offering 40 and 5 vintages respectively.
Piekenierskloof, Robertson, and more: An ensemble of regions weaving a rich tapestry of taste.
The canvas is rich, the stories varied, and the anticipation palpable. As you savour the wines and immerse yourself in the journey, remember that each sip encapsulates the essence of a farm, a vintage, an area, and the creative energy that defines the Absa Top 10 Pinotage 2023 competition.
2023 Judges
Samarie Smith the 2023 convener and her panel of esteemed judges – Fred Viljoen, Rodrick Moyo, Etienne Louw and Anton Swarts – meticulously evaluated each entry, considering factors such as flavour, aroma, balance, and overall expression of the Pinotage varietal. The finalists’ wines stood out for their exceptional quality and unique characteristics, reflecting the diversity and creativity of South Africa’s winemaking community.
Absa Bank’s continued sponsorship has played a pivotal role in the success and growth of the Pinotage Association’s flagship event. By supporting the Top 10 Pinotage competition, Absa Bank reaffirms its dedication to fostering excellence and innovation in the South African wine industry.
As part of the celebration, the Pinotage Association will host a series of exclusive events and promotions featuring the Top 10 winners. These events will provide wine enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public with an opportunity to savour and appreciate the exceptional quality of the wines produced by the finalists.
The awards ceremony, where the ultimate winners will be announced, promises to be a highlight of the South African wine calendar. It will be a memorable occasion to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the winemakers who have worked tirelessly to create outstanding Pinotage wines and help change the old negative narrative of Pinotage. The Absa Top 10 winners’ announcement will be held at Landtscap, Stellenbosch on the 31st August 2023, when the Top 10 winning wines will be revealed.
