The winners of the 2022 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year Awards have been announced. The a black-tie gala dinner was hosted at the Five Star Arabella Hotel & Spa in Kleinmond on Saturday 19^th November, with Conrad Vlok of Strandveld Wines, and Jerome van Rooi of Cederberg claiming top honours, respectively. 

The Awards

The Winemaker and Young Winemaker Awards, focusing on quality and recognition of excellence, are regarded as one of the country’s most prestigious and well-respected wine industry competitions. Celebrating the skills and talent of the vintners, these awards are open to all in the South African wine industry at no cost, thus affording all winemakers an equal opportunity. The Winemaker of the Year is in its 42nd year, while the Young Winemaker has been running for 22 years. 

2022 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Winner

This year’s Diners Club Winemaker of the Year (Sauvignon Blanc), Conrad Vlok, delighted the judges with his 2021 Strandveld Poffaderbos Sauvignon Blanc. (pictured below) 

2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year Winner

The 2022 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year, Jerome van Rooi, won the Red Wines category for the 2020 Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon. (pictured below)

The 2022 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Judging Process

The awards are presented to the winemakers who produce a wine, that the judging panel considers the best in a specified class. The categories for 2022 were Sauvignon Blanc for Winemaker of the Year, and Red Wines of any varietal or blend for Young Winemaker of the Year. The field was narrowed down to twelve finalists through rigorous judging by a panel of wine experts; with six winemakers shortlisted for the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award, and six for the Young Winemaker of the Year title. 

• Carrie Adams (Head Judge)
• Hervé Delabesse
• Fiona McDonald
• Rudger van Wyk
• Gregory Mutambe

The 2022 Diner Club Winemaker of the Year Winners

The winning Winemaker receives R50 000, while the Young Winemaker is awarded R25 000 and a trip to an exciting wine producing destination.

Congratulations to both winners on their wins!

dinersclub.co.za | Facebook | Instagram