Benguela Cove received accolades for both the Best Producer and the Vertex Trophy for Best Wine
Benguela Cove Excels at the 2023 Veritas Wine Awards
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate achieved prestigious recognition at the Veritas Wine Awards 2023, South Africa’s foremost wine competition. The estate was honoured with the Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award for the overall champion wine, in addition to the Best Achiever award and an impressive collection of Double Gold and Gold medals.
The coveted Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award was presented to Benguela Cove’s cellarmaster Johann Fourie and his team for the 2019 Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Cap Classique. This marks only the second time a Cap Classique has secured the competition's highest honour since the award's inception.
In addition to the Vertex trophy, Benguela Cove claimed the Best Achiever title in the category for ten wines or fewer. The estate earned three Double Gold medals and two Gold medals for the Joie de Vivre Cap Classique, as well as the 2020 and 2022 Benguela Cove Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon.
"We are absolutely thrilled that our Joie de Vivre Cap Classique has been recognised as the best of the best at this year's Veritas Awards," said Fourie. "The cool climate and coastal breezes of Walker Bay produce world-class sparkling, and our dedicated team strives for excellence in every step of the winemaking process. This award is a testament to our terroir and methodology, and the support and backing of the estate owner, Penny Streeter.”
The Veritas Awards:
The esteemed Veritas Awards, often dubbed the 'Oscars' of the South African wine industry, involved blind evaluations of over 1,200 entries by a panel of experts during the 33rd annual ceremony held in October at a gala dinner in Cape Town.
Nestled by the picturesque Bot River Lagoon near Hermanus, Benguela Cove seamlessly blends a captivating location with a commitment to crafting premium cool climate wines. Positioned along the ocean, the estate benefits from refreshing maritime breezes directly off the Atlantic Ocean.
Within the cellar, Cellarmaster Johann Fourie harmonizes traditional and modern winemaking techniques, producing approximately 350,000 bottles annually across diverse ranges. The estate exclusively utilizes grapes from its sustainably farmed vines, processed on-site in a cutting-edge 400-ton winery.
Johann Fourie's winemaking artistry reflects the unique terroir of Benguela Cove. The estate's array of slopes, soils, and exposure to ocean winds empowers Fourie to extract the finest expression from each grape variety
“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 our premier wines with the natural beauty of our location. These awards validate our uncompromising commitment to quality at every stage - from vine to bottle.”