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The finalists for the 2026 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards have been announced. Six winemakers have been shortlisted for the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award, while six will compete for the Young Winemaker of the Year title.

The awards recognise winemakers whose wines are judged to be the best in the two designated categories of the annual competition. This year, White Blends is the category for the 46th Winemaker of the Year award, while Red Wine is the category for the 26th Young Winemaker of the Year award.

The 2026 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year Finalists

Winemaker of the Year Category: White Blends

Jacques Erasmus – Jacques Erasmus 2026
Helgard van Schalkwyk – Nitida Coronata Integration 2024
Hannes Meyer – Alexander Vineyards, Susara, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2024
Stuart Botha – Tokara Director's Reserve White 2023
Alvi van der Merwe – Alvi's Drift Reserve CVC 2024
Bernard Claassen – Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo CVV 2025

Young Winemaker of the Year Category: Red Wines 

Daniela Briedenhann – Saronsberg Seismic 2024
Loïc du Toit – De Wetshof Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Lee-Irvine Geduld – Bon Courage Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Mosima Mabelebele – The Pledge Our 1060m Pinot Noir 2025
Xander Spreeth – L'Ormarins Ou Bosstok Cinsault 2025
Carlo De Vries – Carlo Pinotage 2023

The Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards focus on quality and the recognition of excellence, making them among the South African wine industry's most prestigious and respected competitions.

While most wine industry awards focus on the winning wines, the Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards celebrate the people behind them, honouring the skill, expertise and talent of the winemakers. As in previous years, winemakers may be shortlisted for more than one submission. The awards are open to all members of the South African wine industry at no cost, ensuring that all winemakers have an equal opportunity to participate.

The field was narrowed to twelve finalists following two days of rigorous judging by a panel of wine experts. The judges agree that the competition for the top honours will be close, reflecting the outstanding quality of all the finalist wines.

The 2026 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Judges: 

Carrie Adams, Yegas Naidoo, Denzel Swarts, Johann Fourie and Wayne Buckley-Koch.

The finalists for both awards will attend a black-tie gala dinner at the five-star Arabella Hotel & Spa on Saturday, 21 November 2026, where the winners will be announced and presented with their trophies.

The 2026 Winemaker of the Year and Young Winemaker of the Year will receive cash prizes of R75,000 and R45,000, respectively, as well as a return air ticket to visit a wine-producing region of their choice anywhere in the world, subject to the presenting sponsor's terms and conditions.