Organised by the Liquid Icons, the 2023 Golden Vines Awards, which recognise the star performers of the fine wine and spirits industries, were presented during a night of glitz and glam at the beautiful Opera Garnier in Central Paris last weekend.
Also read: Sip, savour and sustain: Vergelegen toasts eco-friendly excellence award
Close to 1 000 fine wine professionals from 120 countries across the globe voted for this year’s Golden Vines Awards, including 27 masters of wines, 22 master sommeliers, over 180 winemakers, wine press, wine merchants and Michelin-star sommeliers with an average experience of 15 years in the industry.
After independently verifying the results by Deloitte LLP, in accordance with the voting rules published on Liquid Icons’ website, South Africa’s very own Sadie Family Wines emerged on top as it snatched the 2023 VistaJet Golden Vines World’s Best Rising Star Award for the second year in a row.
With the receipt of a consecutive Best Rising Star Award among a growing list of accolades, Eben Sadie – one of South Africa’s most revered winemakers – not only solidifies Swartland’s status on the global wine map but also highlights his rightful place amid the world’s best in the wine industry.
For this year, three nominees became All-Star Winners in their category, having won the Award for the third time in three years: Domaine de la Romanée Conti for the 2023 Robb Report Golden Vines World’s Best Producer Award (2021, 2022, 2023); Ridge Vineyards for the 2023 Golden Vines Vest Fine Wine Producer in the Americas Awards (2021, 2022, 2023) and Penfolds for the 2023 Golden Vines Best Fine Wine Producer in the Rest of the World (2021, 2022, 2023).
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city, at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
Winners of other categories awarded were:
- Golden Vines Best Fine Wine Producer in Europe: Weingut Egon Müller of Germany
- Gucci Golden Vines Sustainability Award: Emidio Pepe of Italy
- Casa Ferreirinha Golden Vines Innovation Award: University of California Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology
- The newly inaugurated Golden Vines World Best Rare Spirit Brand Award: The Macallan
- Golden Vines Hall of Fame Award: Jancis Robinson OBE MW
Each winner received a trophy designed by British visual artist and Golden Vines Creative Director Shantell Martin and crafted by Amorim Cork featuring 2023 commissioned artwork by French artist Jonathan Bréchignac.
Often considered one of the greatest preservationists and visionaries in the new generation of South African winemakers, Sadie produces a small portfolio of highly coveted wines influenced by the Rhône and Spain, with traditional local varieties sourced from pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs of the Swartland region.
Sadie’s long-ageing Columella, a blend of Mediterranean red varieties well suited to the soils of the Swartland and its oceanic climate, is often regarded as South Africa’s best red; while Palladius, a blend of Mediterranean white varieties, similarly offers a mesmerising Swartland expression and decades of longevity.
Very limited quantities of the Old Vine Series are released annually and has quickly become one of the most sought-after release of the year since its first release.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
Also read:
Brookdale Estate shines in the Best of Wine Tourism Awards 2024
Picture: Supplied / Marc Piasecki / Getty Images
