Rietvallei on a roll in the Top 100
Two more Double Platinum awards and two Double Gold in the latest edition of the premier fine wine competition, the National Wine Challenge 2022, bear testimony to Rietvallei Estate’s ongoing momentum in quality wine production and acknowledgement, says winemaker-owner Kobus Burger.
This means that Rietvallei has in the past three years garnered seven Double Platinum Awards – in other words Top 100 listings – including two Grand Cru (Best in Class) achievements and four Double Golds in the competition, which this year drew a record number of entries.
The Estate’s winning wines this year are:
- Rietvallei Dark Cin (Cinsaut) 2020 with Grand Cru Best in Class and Top 100 / Double Platinum placement
- Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – Top 100 / Double Platinum
- Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2018 – Double Gold
- Rietvallei Classic Chardonnay 2021 – Double Gold
This follows on 2021’s impressive achievement:
- Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018 – Grand Cru, Best in Class and Top 100/ Double Platinum
- Rietvallei Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – Top 100 / Double Platinum
- Rietvallei Estéanna Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot 2016 – Top 100 / Double Platinum
- Rietvallei 1908 Red Muscadel 2018 – Top 100 / Double Platinum
- Rietvallei Dark Cin (Cinsaut) 2019 – Double Gold
In 2020 the awards were:
- Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – Top 100 / Double Platinum
- Rietvallei Natural Chardonnay (Unwooded) 2019 – Double Gold
“This shows that we receive constant acknowledgement, for which I am very grateful. I have great appreciation for the National Wine Challenge’s tasting panel for their recognition of all our hard work in the vineyard and cellar,” said Kobus.
With this positive start of the 2022 awards season, Rietvallei is looking forward to maintaining its momentum of reaping rich rewards in the country’s major annual fine wine competitions
Said Robin von Holdt, CEO of Buybetterwine that organises the annual National Wine Challenge, now in its 12th year, “A strong line up of substantially more than 600 fine wine entries made for the most competitive challenge this year. The wine quality was excellent, and organisers and judges were well-pleased with this result.
“The strong set of results in 2022 showcase a diverse portfolio of remarkable SA wines. Wine makers know how difficult it is to win a Top 100 podium award. This does not change, with this nut being as tough as ever to crack. New vineyards and new wines were again entered into the 2022 NWC for the first time. These additional fine wine entries simply make it that much harder to achieve the recognition that this very special win commands, from peers and consumers alike,” said Von Holdt.
