Staff Writer
The South African wine industry has gathered for the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event to honour excellence, heritage and innovation.
The event also marked the blessing of the 2026 grape harvest and commemorated 367 years since the birth of the country’s wine industry.
South Africa remains unique among wine-producing nations because it can trace the exact origin of its wine industry to a diary entry dated 2 February 1659.
The entry reads: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.”
Clifford van der Venter, chairperson of the Groot Constantia Trust, said the event honoured both the country’s history and its progress.
He said the 2026 award recipients reflected leadership, inclusivity, innovation and long-term commitment to the industry.
The award recipients included the Retief family of Van Loveren Wine Estate, Denzel Swarts, Pieter Ferreira, Charl Theron and Wilfred Fortuin.
The Retief family received the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership for their influence on the wine industry and related sectors.
Van Loveren has expanded wine tourism through seven tasting experiences and follows an acquisition strategy aimed at preserving South African winemaking heritage.
The Growing Inclusivity Award went to Denzel Swarts, sales and brand executive at Zoetendal Vineyards in Elim.
He was recognised for leadership that promotes inclusivity despite structural and social challenges.
In the Wine Advancement category, Pieter Ferreira was honoured for his contribution to bottle-fermented sparkling wine.
Since joining Graham Beck in 1990, he has played a key role in developing Cap Classique into an internationally recognised category through collaboration, education and a focus on quality.
The Viti- and Viniculture Award was presented to Charl Theron for more than five decades of work in wine production, education and consultancy.
A former chairperson of the department of viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University, Theron has contributed to both academic training and industry practice.
Wilfred Fortuin received recognition in the Wine Agri-Worker category after being selected by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture as the 2026 Wine Agri-Worker.
The award highlighted the role of vineyard, cellar and farm workers in sustaining the wine industry.
Caption
The South African wine industry gathered to honour excellence and mark the blessing of the 2026 grape harvest.
- Photo: Contributed
