CAPE TOWN – Five individuals and families who have contributed significantly to South Africa’s wine industry were recognised at the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event on Thursday, 5 February.
The event, hosted by Groot Constantia, also marked the blessing of the new grape harvest and commemorated the birth of the South African wine industry 367 years ago. A diary entry dated 2 February 1659 records: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.”
The 2026 recipients are the Retief family of Van Loveren Wine Estate, who received the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership; Denzel Swarts in the Growing Inclusivity category; Pieter Ferreira in the Wine Advancement category; Charl Theron in the Viti- and Viniculture category; and Wilfred Fortuin in the Wine Agri-Worker category.
Clifford van der Venter, chairperson of the Groot Constantia Trust, said the event celebrated the community that defines the country’s wine heritage. “It was a privilege to honour the individuals and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to our industry,” he said.
The Wine Harvest Commemorative Event which was held on Thursday evening at Groot Constansia, honoured five individuals and families who have contributed significantly to South Africa’s wine industry . Here are the honourees at the front from left: Denzel Swarts, recipient in the category for Growing Inclusivity, Altus Theron, son of Charl Theron, recipient in the category for Viti- and Viniculture, Phillip Retief of Van Loveren Family Vineyards, recipient of the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership, Wilfred Fortuin, recipient in the category Wine Agri-Worker, and Pieter Ferreira, recipient in the category for Wine Advancement.
Van Loveren recognised for multi-faceted contribution
The Retief family of Van Loveren received the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership for their contributions across multiple areas of the wine industry. Their strategy is built on six pillars: wine tourism, acquisitions and partnerships, transformation, innovation, sustainability and diversification.
The estate operates seven tasting room experiences under different brands and has pursued strategic acquisitions focused on preserving winemaking legacies. Van Loveren has implemented employee shareholding initiatives and invested in renewable energy projects. The winery was named Evolve-BGS and WineMag’s 2025 Energy Assessment Champion, recognising more than a decade of investment in renewable energy.
Beyond wine production, the family has diversified into almonds, cherries, citrus and avocados.
Swarts recognised for transformation leadership
Denzel Swarts, sales and brand executive at Zoetendal Vineyards in Elim, Cape Agulhas, was recognised for his work in growing inclusivity in the industry.
Swarts began his career at Simonsig and became a senior manager. He has held leadership positions including membership of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Transformation Task Team, vice-chairperson and acting chairperson of the University of Cape Town’s Postgraduate Commerce Faculty, and director at the Pinotage Youth Development Academy and the South African Wine Industry Professional Body.
In 2022, he was the only African to receive the Golden Vines Wine Scholar Guild Scholarship, which he subsequently gave up to aid another person in need.
Cap Classique champion honoured
Pieter Ferreira was recognised for his work in elevating the Cap Classique category to world-class status.
Ferreira joined Graham Beck in 1990 and has been involved in building the producer into a global leader in Cap Classique. He has promoted Cap Classique internationally and shares his knowledge with current and prospective producers.
Ferreira has initiated events including the annual Base Wine Tasting and the Technical Seminar, which brings together global industry leaders and researchers.
Five decades of experience recognised
Charl Theron was honoured for bringing academic and technical expertise to the South African and international wine industries over five decades.
Theron holds an MSc degree in oenology and served as lecturer and later chairperson of the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch. He was also a member of the advisory committee of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Theron held various positions at KWV and was a founder member of VINO FINO Oenological Advice CC, chief executive of the Cape Vintner Classification, and served on professional societies and industry committees. He was a founder member of the Wine Appreciators organisation and founded cellar workers’ study groups in wine districts.
Young cellar worker sets example
Wilfred Fortuin was selected by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture as the 2026 Wine Agri-Worker as part of their annual Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards competition.
Fortuin, 31, enrolled at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute where he completed the Senior Cellar Assistant Development Programme Levels one to four. He participated in the 2025 Cellar Worker Exchange Programme in Burgundy, France.
Western Cape Government Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said: “The Wine Harvest Commemorative Event celebrates the strength and heritage of the Western Cape’s world-class wine industry. Agriculture remains a key driver of economic growth and job creation in our province, and today we recognise the excellence, innovation and inclusivity that keep this sector globally competitive.”
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