Stellenbosch wine estate, Kleine Zalze, reaffirmed its status as one of South Africa’s most awarded wineries, having claimed ‘Best Achiever’ at the 2022 Veritas Awards – the country’s leading wine competition for producers. The annual Veritas Awards ceremony was held at the historic Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl, this year, and Kleine Zalze walked home with four Double Gold medals and three Gold gongs.

2022 Veritas Awards

This year’s Veritas Awards garnered 1312 wine entries, which were judged by an authoritative jury of over 70 South African wine experts. Kleine Zalze had more than 10 wine entries in this year’s show, and their Family Reserve Old Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2015; Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2020; Family Reserve Shiraz 2012 and Vineyard Selection Grenache 2021 all received Double Gold awards.

Gold medals were awarded to Kleine Zalze’s Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2021; Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Vintage Brut Cap Classique 2015 and the Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.

Showing a disarming combination of elation and relief after receiving his four Double Gold and Best Achiever wins, Kleine Zalze cellarmaster, RJ Botha, had not anticipated this level of success at Veritas 2022. “After our three Gold medals had been called and we were nowhere to be seen, as the winners of the first tranches of Double Golds were read out, I just thought we would have to be happy with the Golds, which was in itself quite a sort-of ‘ok’ achievement”, he said.

Multiple Wins for Kleine Zalze

“Then the selected winners of four Double Golds were announced and the Kleine Zalze name called, which took the Veritas experience to a new level, for myself and my team. I am truly proud on behalf of the whole Klein Zalze family – from vineyards to cellar, marketing and sales. We all share a commitment to establishing the brand as a leading producer of a diverse spectrum of consumer-focussed wines expressing quality, identity and uniqueness.”

Botha said this commitment is underscored by the diversity within the range of Kleine Zalze wines that won Double Gold and Gold medals this year.

“The Double Gold achievers are a broad mix of wines, from Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc to Shiraz and Grenache,” he said. “And on the Gold side, having Méthode Cap Classique, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon putting in top performances, accentuates a viticulture and winemaking approach at Kleine Zalze that can only be described as multi-dimensional and successful. One driven by a commitment to give our local and international customers access to the diversity and quality South African wine is able to offer.”

Access to various grape varieties from selected vineyards sites throughout the Cape creates the backbone of Klein Zalze’s quality offering, added Botha.

“In the cellar, we understand the approach each parcel of fruit requires to best express its origin. And this approach is an ongoing process. We innovate and adapt in our winemaking, constantly seeking and discovering new ways of pushing the boundaries, thus making the fundamental aspect of quality a never-ending journey, not a destination.”

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