Victory for the Olifants River wine region at this year’s South African National Young Wine Show, has once again demonstrated the quality to be found among its vineyards. An astounding 91% of Olifants River’s 88 wines that were entered in the national event produced awards this year.
Only two of the country’s nine participating regions did better. Among its achievements, the region just north of the Swartland produced two class winners and six gold winners.
“Once again, the Young Wine Show has proven that quality doesn’t care how far one is from the industry’s traditional centre,” says Eonie van Schalkwyk, acting manager of Namaqua West Coast Tourism, which also represents the wine region.
“Our wines are too often underestimated simply because of where they’re made. But every visitor who makes the trip here rediscovers the quality that’s been here all along.”
Now, as warmer months bring more visitors drawn by the region’s popularity with outdoor enthusiasts, many will get the chance to rediscover its outstanding local wineries too.
The national and regional winners
At 194-years-old, the SA National Young Wine Show is among the oldest competitions of its kind in the world, and one of the few of its kind in assessing wines of the current vintage year. This year, it received 1 389 entries to produce amongst others, 52 class winners and 117 golds.
At national level, Namaqua Wines produced two class winners one for wooded malbec and another for wooded tempranillo. It also received six golds. Also at the national event, were Klawer Wine Cellars with two golds. These were announced on Saturday, at a gala function held at the Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch.
The results of the regional competition were announced earlier in the month, on August 8. Namaqua Wines claimed the most awards in this division, with no less than 11 trophies – including for the wooded malbec that went on to national glory, 27 class winners and one gold. It was followed by Klawer, with four trophies and two class winners; and, Lutzville Vineyards, with one trophy and two class winners.
A reflection on harvest
In reflecting on the 2026 vintage, a poll of local wineries revealed generally how this year’s smaller berries drove higher flavour concentration, producing fruity whites, deep-coloured reds, and faster sugar accumulation that yielded fuller, improved alcohols in wines throughout. Chenin Blanc and early Pinotage were standout cultivars, alongside a stand-out Shiraz block that went on to win gold. Fortified wines also excelled, showing strong muscat character and rounded palates.
“The message that we believe is important to share, however, is that while our region is often known for producing mainly generic white and red wines, this does not tell the full story,” says Eonie.
“Generations of farming have allowed farmers provided with deep insights that allow them to match the right cultivars and root stocks with the right locations. In this way, they’ve been able to unlock quality comparable to the country’s best.”
As with many other of South Africa’s champion districts, the Olifants River’s biggest climate driver is the ocean. Added to a diversity of soil conditions, the scene is set for producing a range of cultivars at the highest levels of quality.
Take the first step to explore
The West Coast Wine Route runs in a belt along the broad valley of the Olifants River and incorporates the stand-alone Lambert’s Bay ward on the coast and the high-altitude ward of Piekenierskloof. It stretches from predominantly citrus-producing Citrusdal in the south to Koekenaap in the north.
Plan a trip to the Namaqua West Coast and Olifants River wine region by visiting www.visitnwc.com or calling 082 608 7554. For the latest regional news, follow @VisitNWC on Facebook and X, and @namaquawestcoast on Instagram.
The Namaqua West Coast Wine Route also thanks the sponsors of the Olifants River Young Wine Show Awards Evening: Beveratech, Porex SA, PSG Wealth, PSG Wealth Vredendal, Vinochem, JDW Transport, Columbit, CTP Cartons & Labels, and Ever Solutions SA for the Olifants River Young Wine Show dinner and trophy evening. A special thanks also to Die Keldery for sponsoring the venue.