Benguela Cove Triumphs at 2023 Veritas Wine Awards

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate has won top accolades at the prestigious Veritas Wine Awards 2023, South Africa’s leading wine competition. The estate took home the Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award for the overall champion wine, along with the Best Achiever award and an impressive haul of Double Gold and Gold medals.

This year’s Veritas results mark the third consecutive year the team has earned no less than three double golds; three consecutive vintages of the Joie de Vivre Cap Classique have been awarded Double Gold medals, every vintage since its inception.

The pinnacle Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award went to Benguela Cove’s cellarmaster Johann Fourie and his team for the 2019 Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Cap Classique.

"We are thrilled that the judges have recognised our Joie de Vivre Cap Classique as the best of the best at this year's Veritas Awards," said Fourie. "We are proud of the success we have achieved, especially considering the relatively small size of our vineyard and that 100% of our wine is produced from estate-grown fruit.

“The whole team is constantly focused on refining its approach to all aspects of grape growing and winemaking. We know that the pursuit of excellence is never done, but acknowledgements like these motivate us to persist in our journey and affirms that Benguela Cove is moving in the right direction in terms of wine style and quality.”

In addition to the Vertex trophy, Benguela Cove took home the Best Achiever title in the class for ten wines or fewer. The estate earned three Double Gold medals for the 2019 Joie de Vivre Cap Classique, 2020 Benguela Cove Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon and 2022 Benguela Cove Vinography Sauvignon Blanc. There were Gold medals for the 2021 Benguela Cove Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Benguela Cove Estate Collage.

The prestigious Veritas Awards, known as the ‘Oscars’ of the South African wine industry, saw over 1,200 entries evaluated blind by a panel of experts. The 33rd annual awards ceremony was held in October at a gala dinner in Cape Town.

“We are tremendously proud of our winemaking team and the exceptional wines they have crafted to earn this esteemed recognition,” said Penny Streeter, owner of Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate. “Our estate pairs premier wines with the natural beauty of our location. These awards validate our uncompromising commitment to quality at every stage - from vine to bottle.”

Beyond its award-winning wines, Benguela Cove offers visitors a luxury escape. The estate's well-appointed accommodation features en-suite bedrooms, private pools, fully equipped kitchens and WiFi access.

Guests can enjoy guided vineyard and cellar tours as well as helicopter whale-watching tours and pontoon eco-cruises along the tranquil lagoon, providing stunning views.

Dining options overlook the lagoon, from the Moody Lagoon Restaurant to the casual oyster bar. The estate also hosts an art gallery, pirate-themed adventure golf and regular live music events. 

For further information: www.benguelacove.co.za 

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Editors notes

The first image includes Western Cape Premier Alan Winde with the Benguela Cove team - Tony Mcpherson, Michelle Waldeck, Tilly Rea, Charné van Zyl - and Christo Pienaar, Veritas.

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, Hermanus, is a vineyard and wine tourism destination located in the Walker Bay region of South Africa. The Benguela Collection wine and hospitality group is owned by the Streeter family. The Benguela Collection includes Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens and Mannings Golf & Wine Estate in the UK.

It was founded by Penny Streeter OBE in 2013 when she acquired and developed the 543-acre Hermanus wine farm and residential estate at Benguela Cove, located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean at the start of the Hermanus Wine Route.

The cellar-door wine hospitality experience includes luxury oceanside villa accommodation with every modern facility, including en suite bedrooms and a private swimming pool. There is also the ‘Moody Lagoon’ Hermanus restaurant, a seafood and oyster bar and a popular wine-tasting pontoon tour with beautiful views across the tranquil lagoon, protected by a sandbar from the Atlantic Ocean.

Guests can book cheese and chocolate pairings, winemaking experiences, and enjoy a programme of major art exhibitions, music and other year-round events, as well as children’s entertainment.

Cultivars are Sauvignon Blanc 45%, Shiraz 25% and others, to create some of the best South African wines.

Vineyard - Acquired in 2013; 170 acres; First vines planted in 2004; 350,000 bottles produced per year.