Now in its 35th year, the award is presented to the winemaker who produces a wine the judging panel considers to be the best in a specified class. The competition is open to all in the South African wine industry at no cost and, consequently, this affords little-known winemakers a shot at the title.
The categories for 2015 are non-Bordeaux single varietal red wines (excluding Shiraz) for Winemaker of the Year, and white wines for Young Winemaker of the Year. As many entries as possible from as wide a spectrum of producers were sought, culminating in the announcement of the deserving finalists.
Winemaker of the Year:
Young Winemaker of the Year:
The winners will be announced on Saturday, 21 November 2015, at an award ceremony hosted at the five-star La Residence hotel in Franschhoek. The winemakers will win a combined cash prize of R75,000 and a trip for two to a wine-producing region of the US.