The best South African wines and wineries of 2025 are known

Like being at the final of the Champions League, that's how it felt to be among all the best winemakers in South Africa. All the wine kings and queens came to Sadie Family Wines' Rotsvas Farm for the launch of the 45^ste edition of the Platter's Wine Guide. There, the best five-star wines and wineries of the year 2025 were announced and WINELIFE was there.
Text: Bregje van Weezel | Image: Pexels

It is a moment eagerly awaited by all wine lovers. Because Platter's wine guide is a national institution. For some 45 years, it has described virtually all South African wines. Always relative to the previous year and a regular team of professional tasters gives the points and stars. They taste at home and the best wines all again blind. Five stars is the highest possible. Then we are talking about a South African classic, for which the confetti machine goes off in full force.

Visionaries

Now was the moment, the coveted certificates were awarded. The winemakers were all afflicted with butterflies in the stomach, which were calmly tamed with a glass of five-star wine. Remarkably, many winemakers indicated that winemaking is not an individual action, but a team sport. That real winemaking takes place in the vineyards and that "human terroir" should not be underestimated either. That climate change is real, but also offers opportunities for change and new grape varieties. Many winemakers had in common that on their long road towards this particular achievement, they took the necessary risks. In which they were first declared crazy and are now seen as visionaries. And they all agreed, that given its high quality, South African wine is unfortunately still underpriced.

Wineries of the year

After all the winemakers and the Diners Club employee had their moment on stage, the finals of the best wineries followed. The best newcomer of the year was winery Terra Loci. A pair of friends, proved with their winning chardonnay from cold Elgin, that you are never too old to win as a newcomer. The "editor's award winery of the year" went to icon Hamilton Russell. Because they have been firmly at the foundation for almost 50 years, still innovating and offering the highest quality. And for the fourth time, this time with six maximum scores, Sadie Family Wines was named the "top performing winery of the year". Eben Sadie seems to be turning grapes into liquid gold right there on the Horse Mountain with his dedicated team.

Cape Storm

Finally, all the winning wines were tasted in the wine cellar. Not entirely without risk, as there was also spitting out on the floor. Wet ankles while I had 'n interesting conversation with the winemaker of the wine, which KLM pours on flights to and from Amsterdam and with another from the area, celebrated that Constantia can also make winning red wines. Below is the comprehensive list of all winning five-star wines. Want to know more? The 45th edition of the Platter's Wine Guide will be available from mid-December in the colour "Cape Storm" A blue-green colour as an ode to the location of South African vineyards and the influence the two converging oceans have on South African wines. It's already a great vintage!

WINES OF THE YEAR 2025

Cabernet Franc: Raats 2022

Cabernet Sauvignon: Simonsig The Garland 2020

Cinsault Noir: Leeu Passant Wellington Old Vines Basson 2022

Grenache Noir: Swartberg Wingerde Garnacha 2023

Merlot: Holden Manz Reserve 2021

Pinotage: Diemersdal The Journal 2022

Pinot Noir: Julian Schaal Mountain Vineyards 2023

Shiraz/Syrah: Saronsberg Shiraz 2022

Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux: Outside forecast Christine 2017

Red Blends, With Pinotage: The Vinoneers No. 42 Cape Red Blend 2022

Red Blends, Shiraz/Syrah-Based: Erika Obermeyer Syrah-Grenache Noir-Cinsault 2021

Red Blends, Other: Anysbos Tesame 2022

Chardonnay: Iona Elgin Highlands 2022

Chenin Blanc: Stellenrust Old Bushvine Secrets & Lies 2023

Grenache Blanc: Glen Heatlie The Frontier 2023

Grenache Gris: Momento 2023

Sauvignon Blanc: Diemersdal Wild Horseshoe 2023

Semillon: Bookwood Gorge 2022

Semillon Gris: Thorne & Daughters Tin Soldier 2023

White Blends, Cape Bordeaux: Constantia Glen Two 2022

White Blends, Other: Momento Chenin Blanc-Verdelho 2023

Cap Classique: Charles Fox Prestige Cuvée Cipher Blanc de Noirs 2018

 

Natural Sweet: Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2021

Noble Late Harvest: Miles Mossop Kika 2023

Vin de Paille/Straw Wine: Mullineux Straw Wine 2023

Dessert Wine, Fortified: Nuy Barbieri Idro 2016

Port-Style: Bergsig Cape Late Bottled Vintage 2018

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