Also locally, Sadie Family Wines of Malmesbury in the Swartland were honoured as Winery of the Year in Platter’s South African Wine Guide, with Saronsberg of Tulbagh winning the Top Producer Trophy at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirit Awards. Whereas internationally, Jordan of Stellenbosch won the trophy for SA Wine Producer of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, the trio of Saronsberg, Klein Constantia and Constantia Glen won National Trophies at the International Wine Challenge, and at the Decanter World Wine Awards the International Award winners featured Hartenberg, Spier and Jordan (all in Stellenbosch), Paul Cluver (of Elgin) and KWV…

Besides the above, other most-talked-about wine outfits at the top end of the quality and interest spectrums during the past 12 months included Alheit and Newton Johnson in the Hemel-en-Aarde outside Hermanus, Boekenhoutskloof of Franschhoek, DeMorgenzon, Delaire Graff and Kanonkop as well as Oldenburg, Reyneke and Tokara (all of Stellenbosch), Fable outside Tulbagh, Mullineux & Leeu of Riebeek Kasteel in the Swartland, Silverthorn outside Robertson and Sijnn near Malgas.

The most awarded white wines in 2014 included: De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2012, DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013, Iona Chardonnay 2013, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013 and KWV The Mentors Semillon 2013. The most awarded reds: Bellingham The Bernard Series Small Barrel SMV 2012, Boschkloof Syrah 2012, Cederberg Shiraz 2011, Saronsberg Full Circle 2011/12 and Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2012. The most awarded sweet wines: Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2011, De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2011 and Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2013.

Collectively though, it’s been KWV at the head of the pack – mainly due to the success of The Mentors range: Cabernet Franc 2012, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Canvas 2011 (red blend), Chardonnay 2011/12/13, Chenin Blanc 2012/13, Noble Late Harvest 2012, Orchestra 2010/11/12 (Bordeaux-style red blend), Petit Verdot 2011/12, Pinotage 2012, Sauvignon Blanc 2012/13, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009/13, Semillon 2009/13, Shiraz 2012 and Verdelho 2013.

Founded in 1918, KWV converted from co-operative to company in 1997 and shares were made available to the public in 2003. In 2011, Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) acquired a majority shareholding, in 2012 the company became a subsidiary of HCI’s Niveus Investments and today the KWV experience extends to an Emporium and a Sensorium. A case of great wines born in the vineyard, coming together in the cellar, impossible without the backing of the executives, destined for the Hall of Fame.