I recently attended the South African Wine Index Awards 2014, which acknowledges South African wine excellence. The South African Wine Index{SAWi} gala awards were held at the luxurious Grootbos Private Nature Reserve near Gansbaai.

Grootbos not only sponsored the event but also entered into a partnership with SAWi, to exclusively offer the complete range of the ‘SAWi Grand Wines Collection’ (wines scoring 93+ points through the unique SAWi Algorithm of Excellence) at this world renowned Reserve.

For those of you who are not familar with the SAWi wine judging Algorithm of Excellence (Arabic tenfold system), it is based on the combined results a wine has achieved over multi vintages, in any of 84 different multi-national wine competitions or reviews (each weighted according to the compilation of judging panels and the number of medals on offer).

Consistency in results, top 10 mentions and trophies won are also taken into account during these calculations. As such, a wine is not judged on one occasion only but its consistency is tracked over a period and built out to a 10 year quality window.

SAWi Platinum is the highest accolade that may be achieved by any single wine. A score of 95 or more, out of a possible 100, will secure this award. These wines are referred to as the ‘SAWI Ambassadors Club’ the top end of the ‘SAWi Grand Wines Collection’ which also include wines which received Grand Gold status for scoring 93 and 94. No score below this attracts any accolades, ensuring that SAWi decorations are aspirational and really the cream of the crop.

The day started off with a lovely lunch at the Forest Lodge, giving wine makers and invited guests the opportunity of socialising and getting to know one another.The rest of the afternoon was spent at leisure exploring the beauty of the reserve, indulging in the luxuries of the Grootbos Estate or watching a bit of rugby!

In the evening all the guests, producers and wine makers were treated to a tasting of the winning wines, before the presentation of the awards got under way. The event was a showcase of South African ‘Grand Wines’ – highlighting the value of the SAWi principles and methodology.

Constantia Glen took top honors on the night, receiving the SAWi Trophy for Wine Producer of the Year, with Justin van Wyk (Winemaker) and Ettiene Southey (Vineyard Manager) and his team acknowledged as top achievers for 2014.

De Morgenzon received the 2014 SAWi Trophy for White Wine Producer of the Year.  The Trophy for the 2014 SAWi Red Wine Producer of the Year went to Kanonkop Estate, also from Stellenbosch.

The inaugural Trophy for Best South African Brandy Producer was awarded to KWV.

Chardonnay dominated, with 17 accolades, followed by Shiraz wines with 12, Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux Blends with 10 each, Pinotage 8, Pinot Noir 6 and Red Blends 5.

Hemel and Aarde Valley had 14 wine accolades, followed by Constantia with 10 and Tulbach with 7, whilst Elgin, Franshhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch Kloof, Blaauwklippen and Idas Valley had 5 each. Wines from Stellenbosch West, , Blaauwklippen, Cederberg, Somerset West, Franshhoek  and Durbanville made up the rest.

Once again, outlying wine pockets like Cederberg, Tulbach, and even Barrydale featured prominently.

Since the start of the SAWi Ratings four years ago, only 32 wines out of a total of 914 which were rated have scored 95+ points, with repeated good performances by the majority of these wines. This year another 13 wines were added to this category.

SAWi also welcomed a number of new wineries to its honors list in 2014, including Constantia Glen, De Morgenzon, De Grendel and Journeys End Vineyards.

What an amazing evening spent enjoying and celebrating some of the most accomplished wines offered in South Africa, in one of the most beautiful settings in the Cape!

AWARD HIGHLIGHTS
Top scoring wines
99 points – Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay, Saronsberg Cellar Full Circle, Rijks Private Cellar Pinotage and Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer

98 points – Eagles’ Nest Shiraz and Stellenrust Wine Estate “48” Chenin Blanc

97 points – Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, Diemersdal Wine Estate Pinotage Reserve, Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir, Spier Wines Creative Block 3 Rhone Blend and KWV The Mentors Shiraz and Raats Mvemve Raats de Compostella Bordeaux Blend.

Top Wine Producers
Constantia Glen
Kanonkop Estate
Groot Constantia
Bouchard Finlayson
Saronsberg
De Morgenzon
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Rustenburg Wines
De Grendel
Cederberg Private Cellar
Joubert Tradouw
Cape Chamonix
Eagles Nest
Raats Family Wines

 Images: Event ~ [email protected], Grootbos Villa ©FAR Photography

Disclosure Ranking: 4