Diners Club Reveals Finalists for 2026 Winemaker of the Year Awards
Diners Club Reveals Finalists for 2026 Winemaker of the Year Awards. Six winemakers have been selected as finalists for the 2026 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year award, while another six will compete for the Young Winemaker of the Year title following two days of judging by a panel of wine experts.
The 46th Diners Club Winemaker of the Year competition focuses on White Blends this year, while the 26th Young Winemaker of the Year competition has Red Wine as its designated category.
The Winemaker of the Year finalists are Jacques Erasmus for Jacques Erasmus 2026, Helgard van Schalkwyk for Nitida Coronata Integration 2024, Hannes Meyer for Alexander Vineyards Susara Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2024, Stuart Botha for Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2023, Alvi van der Merwe for Alvi’s Drift Reserve CVC 2024 and Bernard Claassen for Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo CVV 2025.
The Young Winemaker of the Year finalists are Daniela Briedenhann for Saronsberg Seismic 2024, Loïc du Toit for De Wetshof Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, Lee-Irvine Geduld for Bon Courage Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, Mosima Mabelebele for The Pledge Our 1060m Pinot Noir 2025, Xander Spreeth for L’Ormarins Ou Bosstok Cinsault 2025 and Carlo De Vries for Carlo Pinotage 2023.
The awards place the focus on the winemakers behind the wines selected in the respective categories, recognising the skills and expertise involved in producing them.
The competition is open to winemakers across South Africa’s wine industry and does not charge an entry fee. Individual winemakers can also be shortlisted for more than one submission.
The 2026 Winemaker of the Year judging panel consisted of Carrie Adams, Yegas Naidoo, Denzel Swarts, Johann Fourie and Wayne Buckley-Koch.
The winners will be announced at a black-tie gala dinner at the five-star Arabella Hotel & Spa on 21 November 2026.
The Winemaker of the Year will receive R75,000, while the Young Winemaker of the Year will receive R45,000. Both winners will also receive a return air ticket to a wine-producing region of their choice, subject to the presenting sponsor’s terms and conditions.
