Somerset West’s Vergelegen Estate has achieved a remarkable milestone, with its Estate White 2023 taking home the trophy for Best South African White Wine at this year’s International Wine Challenge (IWC), which is the world’s most respected and rigorously judged wine competition.
A wine of distinction
Sourced from the estate’s cooler, southeast-facing vineyards near the Atlantic Ocean, the Estate White 2023 is celebrated for its elegant structure and vibrant aromas of lemon, fresh apple and crushed rosemary. Its triumph at the IWC follows high praise from leading wine and lifestyle publications, such as 95 points from Decanter, 94 points from British wine master Tim Atkin, and 96 points by local publication Winemag.co.za.
South African wines on the global stage
This year, South African wineries claimed 23 gold medals at the IWC, a significant jump from 15 in 2024, solidifying the country’s position as the 7th best wine-producing nation in the world.
The results have sent ripples through the industry, as ‘new world’ wines from South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand continue to challenge the traditional dominance of old world regions like France.
A rigorous and impartial judging process
The IWC’s reputation rests on its blind-tasting format, where nearly 250 expert judges assess wines from over 35 countries without knowing their origin. Meanwhile, Chris Ashton, who is the owner of the IWC, stated: ‘When you put top wines head-to-head in blind tastings, the results can be truly eye-opening.’
A triumph for team Vergelegen
Wayne Coetzer, managing director of Vergelegen, expressed immense pride in the achievement: ‘We are extremely proud that our Estate White has won an IWC trophy, one of the highest honours in the global wine industry. This accolade is a powerful testament to the passion, knowledge, and relentless pursuit of excellence by our entire team, from vineyard to cellar.’
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