Grand Wins for Leopard’s Leap Culinaria at National Wine Challenge

The Leopard’s Leap team is delighted to share the exceptional performance of its Culinaria Collection at the 2026 National Wine Challenge.

“For us, the highlight of the accolades is that our 2021 Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Grand Vin was awarded as Red Wine of the Year, while also being the Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class!”, says CEO Kobie Lochner. “This Bordeaux-style red blend has always been a popular choice, and the exceptional recognition for the 2021 vintage confirms that we are not imagining the elegance of its style and the versatility of its food pairing ability.”

Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Collection

This incredible wine, together with the 2024 Pinot Noir, its red partner in the Culinaria Collection, are also included in theTop 100, while both wines received Double Platinum awards. The 2025 vintage of the stalwart Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Chenin Blanc was also recognised with a Double Gold award.

As the name suggests, the collection is a celebration of the harmony in which food and wine complement one another.

The 2021 Culinaria Grand Vin is all about complex layers of red fruit, cassis, tobacco and a hint of cedar. The palate is smooth with a fruity mulberry aftertaste, while ripe tannins ensure a firm, elegant structure. An excellent partner to red meat dishes, especially lamb. The Culinaria Grand Vin is a full-bodied red blend based on the acclaimed reds of the Bordeaux region. The blend consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (30%), Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot (10%).

Alongside the Grand Vin, is the 2024 Culinaria Pinot Noir. Stylistically these wines could not be more different, making them the ultimate winter warming duo. Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Pinot Noir is a delicate wine with an interesting combination of Old-World Burgundy and New-World fruit-driven Pinot Noir. On the nose, red and darker fruit nuances with subtle berry aromas and a layered and complex palate with a lengthy acidity and minerality. Elegantly weighted and food loving, with duck and risotto dishes as favourites.

Grapes used for the Loire-inspired 2025 Culinaria Chenin Blanc are from the Voor-Paardeberg, acclaimed for its exceptional Chenin Blanc. A well-defined ripe fruit character with aromas of tropical fruit and yellow peach are balanced with refreshing white fruit such as pear. A hint of sweet spice charms the nose while a vibrant acidity and elegant nuances of oak contribute structure and complexity. A remarkably versatile partner to food. Enjoy with Asian dishes, Cape Malay spices, salads with tomato, sharp vinaigrettes or tangy mayonnaise and a variety of seafood.

The beautifully curated Culinaria Collection by Leopard’s Leap not only acknowledges the elegance of the original French styles it is based on, but as the name suggests, is a celebration of the harmony in which food and wine complement one another.