TIM ATKIN MW’S SA SPECIAL REPORT FEATURES TOP WINES

7 Sep 2026

Cape Town, 1 September 2026: Master of Wine Tim Atkin has unveiled his 14th annual South Africa Report earlier today, produced in partnership with Private Clients by Old Mutual, celebrating the depth, diversity and continued evolution of the country’s wine industry. The report highlights the wines and winemakers that captured Atkin’s attention in this year’s assessment, offering an expert perspective on the people, places and trends shaping South African wine.

Atkin brings an international perspective, and says the results reinforce his view that the country is producing wines of exceptional quality. He believes that “the New Wave producers have come of age and done South Africa proud”. They have been “an important engine of change” in South Africa, producing many of its best wines. And, despite the challenges the industry faces right now, he firmly believes the best is still to come.

The report is the most extensive to date and includes Atkin’s tasting notes on 1,831 wines, and a 23,000-word introduction which covers the history, politics, economics, diverse terroirs and winemaking styles of the South African industry, as well as giving an overview of recent vintages and some predictions about the future. The Cape needs to “champion excellence”, says Atkin. He is particularly excited about the “historic, once-in-a-generation 2025 harvest”.

At a ceremony held at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town, Pieter “Bubbles” Ferreira received the Winemaking Legend award. Ferreira’s sparkling-wine career began at Haute Cabrière in Franschhoek in 1983 under the late Achim von Arnim. Trained in microbiology and botany at the University of Pretoria, he joined Graham Beck in 1990. He retired in January 2026 after 37 years at the helm, having shaped the estate’s traditional-method sparkling wines and helped to popularise Cap Classique wines globally.

Storm Wines founder Hannes Storm was named Winemaker of the Year. After building extensive experience in the local industry, including time at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, he established his own label in 2012. His reputation rests on precise, site-focused Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that reveal the distinct characters of the Hemel-en-Aarde’s three sub-regions. His latest releases are his best yet.

Lismore Estate Vineyards in Greyton was named Winery of the Year, an award introduced this year to recognise excellence over more than 20 vintages. Against considerable odds, not least a catastrophic fire in 2019, founder and winemaker Samantha O’Keefe has established a First Growth property, specialising in Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah, opening up a new frontier for South African wine in the process.

Jolandie Fouché of Wolf & Woman Wines received the Young Winemaker of the Year award. Her restrained, minimal-intervention approach places the vineyard and vintage at the heart of each wine, showcasing Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Viognier. Fouché is the latest in a line of talented women to be honoured.

Rising Star of the Year Stefan Johannes embodies the youthful ambition Atkin identifies across the sector. Following his family’s acquisition of the historic Lammershoek property in the Swartland, Johannes recently began making wines from estate-grown fruit under the Zwartwater label, including vines dating to 1966. The 2024 red scored 95 points in the report.

Chris Steyn and Cató Rabie are this year’s Growers of the Year. The dynamic, highly respected father and daughter team behind Eendrag Farm in Stellenbosch combines traditional know-how with a modern, scientifically led approach to viticulture, teasing the best out of every plot. No wonder their grapes are in such demand.

To complete this year’s report, Atkin assessed 1,831 wines from more than 350 wineries for, tasting most of the wines in situ. Seventeen wines scored 98 points and 33 received 97 points. In total, 248 wines achieved 95 points or more across vintages spanning 2020 to 2025.

“South Africa’s white wines continue to grow in stature and diversity and, led by Chenin Blanc, are among the best in the world,” he writes. “White wines have been part of the country’s vinous history since the very start, but I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that South Africa is making the best whites in its history.” South Africa’s best reds are “every bit as good” as its world-class whites, according to Atkin, and have undergone a more dramatic transformation in the last 20 years. Atkin singled out Syrah as the Cape’s most successful red variety.

The 2026 report has awarded a perfect 100-point score to the 2024 Sadie Family Columella, the Swartland producer’s flagship regional red. Led by Syrah and Mourvèdre, with Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barroca completing the blend, the wine reflects a rich, Mediterranean-inspired style. This is only the ninth wine to receive 100 points from Atkin since 2013, and the second such score for Columella alongside the 2019 release.

The 2025 Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans Chenin Blanc earned 99 points and was named white wine of the year. Sourced from Jozua Visser’s Oudam farmon the Skurfberg mountain in the Citrusdal region, this single-origin, old-vine white is bottled separately to capture the power, mineral character and distinctive voice of its site.

“South Africa makes some of the greatest wines in the world. What’s more, its winemakers, growers and viticulturists are some of the most engaging, talented and collaborative on the planet. It just needs to get the word out”, concludes Atkin.

Private Clients by Old Mutual is proud to partner with Tim Atkin for the third year running, and on the launch of his 14th South Africa Special Report – a definitive guide to the country’s finest wines,” says Jean Minnaar, Managing Director at Private Clients. “Much like winemaking, wealth management requires patience, expertise and foresight. Our collaboration with Tim is a celebration not only of South Africa’s winemakers, but also of the values of craftsmanship, legacy and long-term thinking that we share with our clients. We extend our congratulations to all the winemakers and producers recognised in this year’s report, whose passion, craftsmanship and continued commitment play an important role in shaping South Africa’s thriving fine-wine industry.”

Tim’s 2026 South Africa Special Report is available to download for £20

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THE PODIUM 2026

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Winemaker of the Year: Hannes Storm of Storm Wines

Young Winemaker of the Year: Jolandie Fouché of Wolf & Woman Wines

Rising Star of the Year: Stefan Johannes of Zwartwater Estate

Growers of the Year: Chris Steyn and Cató Rabie of Eendrag Farm

Producer Cellar of the Year: Daschbosch

Winemaking Legend:  Pieter Ferreira

Wine Tourism Award: Boschendal

Winery of the Year: Lismore Estate Vineyards

Overall White Wine of the Year: 2025 Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans Chenin Blanc, Citrusdal Mountain

Overall Red Wine of the Year: 2024 Sadie Family Columella, Swartland

Overall Rosés of the Year: 2026 Doolhof Xclusiv Rosé, Limietberg; 2025 Terblanche Family Vineyards Elmie Pinotage Rosé, Stellenbosch

Overall Sparkling Wines of the Year: 2019 Graham Beck Cuvée Clive, Western Cape; 2017 Le Lude Madáme Brut Nature Millésimé, Western Cape

Overall Sweet Wine of the Year: NV Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine #6, Swartland

Overall Fortified Wine of the Year: 1996 Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve, Calitzdorp

Red Wine Discoveries of the Year: 2025 Electric Mud Old Bush Vines Grenache, Piekenierskloof; 2024 Iona Beeskamp Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Elgin

White Wine Discovery of the Year: 2024 Catherine Marshall Between Two Worlds, Voor Paardeberg

Rosé Wine Discovery of the Year: 2025 Pink Valley Rosé Reserve, Stellenbosch

Fortified Wine Discovery of the Year: NV The Fledge & Co Cape White Fortified, Western Cape

Sparkling Wine Discoveries of the Year: 2012 Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut RD, Elgin; 2016 Krone RD, Elandskloof

Best Value White of the Year: 2025 Kaapzicht Granite Ridge OVP Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch

Best Value Red of the Year: 2024 De Morgenzon DMZ Syrah, Stellenbosch

Best Value Rosé of the Year: 2025 Jordan Dry Rosé, Stellenbosch

Best Value Sparkling Wine of the Year: 2020 KWV Laborie Blanc de Blancs, Western Cape

Best Value Sweet Wine of the Year: 2026 Van Loveren VRL Special Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Robertson

Best Value Fortified Wine of the Year: NV KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny, Western Cape