South Africa’s wine industry is once again claiming its place on the global stage with the release of the 13th edition of Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Special Report 2025, in partnership with Private Wealth by Old Mutual. Atkin is known as one of the most respected voices in international wine and he has just awarded two South African wines a rare and coveted 100 points in this year’s report. That puts the Cape Winelands among the world’s finest wine-producing regions.
“The majority of the country’s best winegrowers and winemakers are closely attuned to nature and deeply respectful to their vineyards,” Atkin says. “Acknowledging that the land, the vines and the vintage have the final say is letting winemakers create wines that express a place and a time, as much as their own personalities. Place is arguably more important than style or grape variety. Producers are telling the story of the land, guiding it carefully into bottle. They are also happy to express different growing vintages, whatever the challenges. In fact, flexibility is a vital feature of the new post-modern Cape wine scene.”
In total, Tim Atkin tasted 2,000 wines from 400 South African producers over two visits to the country, highlighting the country’s remarkable diversity, resilience and innovation. Funded and organised by Wines of South Africa (WoSA), Atkin says: “WoSA’s support has been invaluable since the report’s inception in 2013.”
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The Wines That Scored 100 Points
This year, Tim Atkin’s perfect scores went to:
- 2024 Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North – a single-vineyard Chenin Blanc from two parcels of Citrusdal’s dry-farmed bush vines.
- 2023 Porseleinberg Syrah – sourced from organic Swartland vineyards rooted in schist soils.
It is the second time Porseleinberg receives 100 points, following its acclaimed 2018 release. Alheit Vineyards also continues to shine after Chris Alheit’s 2023 Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch achieved the same milestone last year.
More of South Africa’s Best Wines in 2025 According to Tim Atkin
There are also two wines that scored just shy of perfection at 99 points:
- 2024 Sadie Family Wines Skerpioen, a Swartland old-vine Chenin Blanc blend co-fermented with Palomino.
- 2023 Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah, from Stellenbosch.
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Honouring the Winemakers
In addition to the high scores above, this year’s podium also celebrates leaders and rising stars shaping the South African wine industry:
- Winemaker of the Year: Donovan Rall (Rall Wines), who often sources from previously neglected vineyards which he helps to nurture and preserve, working with local communities.
- Young Winemaker of the Year: Stuart Botha (Tokara)
- Rising Star of the Year: Megan van der Merwe (Beau Constantia)
- Viticulturist of the Year: Danie Carinus (Bluegum Grove, Stellenbosch). He not only produces highly respected wines, but he also supplies grapes to some of South Africa’s top winemakers.
- Winemaking Legend: Dr Paul Clüver, who was influential in establishing Elgin’s cool-climate wine-growing area.
- Best Cellar Door Experience: Gabriëlskloof, Bot River
- Producers’ Cellar of the Year: Riebeek Valley Wine Company
- Overall White Wine of the Year: 2024 Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Chenin Blanc, Citrusdal Mountain
- Overall Red Wine of the Year: 2023 Porseleinberg Syrah, Swartland
- Overall Rosé of the Year: 2025 Doolhof XCLUSIV Rosé, Limietberg
- Overall Sparkling Wine of the Year: 2019 Graham Beck Cuvée Clive Cap Classique, Western Cape
- Overall Sweet Wine of the Year: 2022 Boekenhoutskloof Noble Late Harvest, Franschhoek
- Overall Fortified Wine of the Year: 2005 Boplaas Colheita 20-Year-Old Cape Tawny, Calitzdorp
- Red Wine Discovery of the Year: 2022 Beeslaar The Sacrament, Stellenbosch
- White Wine Discovery of the Year: 2024 Sadie Family Twiswind, Swartland
- Rosé Wine Discovery of the Year: 2024 Lost Boy Latigo, Cape Agulhas
- Fortified Wine Discovery of the Year: NV Saldanha Oloroso N° 3, Swartland
- Sparkling Wine Discovery of the Year: 2020 Boschendal Mountain Rose Pinot Noir Rosé Cap Classique, Coastal
- Best Value White of the Year: 2023 Windmeul OVP Chenin Blanc Reserve, Paarl
- Best Value Red of the Year: 2024 Kloovenburg Village Red, Swartland
- Best Value Rosé of the Year: 2024 Le Sueur Grenache Rosé, Klein Karoo
- Best Value Sparkling Wine of the Year: 2024 Rebel Rebel Cinsault Méthode Ancestrale, Bottelary
- Best Value Sweet Wine of the Year: 2024 Van Loveren VRL Special Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Robertson
- Best Value Fortified Wine of the Year: NV KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny, Western Cape
Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay & Syrah Lead the Way, says Tim Atkin
- Chenin Blanc is once again the star this year, with 34 wines scoring 95+ points. Ultimately, this confirms that South Africa has eclipsed France’s Loire Valley as the home of the world’s best dry Chenin Blancs. Atkin says this grape “reflects different soil types and terroirs more faithfully than any other South African variety.”
- Chardonnay is “increasingly good,” with 23 wines achieving 95+ points.
- And, among the reds, Syrah stood out with 21 wines scoring 95+ points – proof that South Africa’s reds rival its world-class whites. Atkin highlights that “new wave” producers are reverting to “old style” which pursues freshness and balance at lower alcohols and where “natural acidity rather than sugar levels is the current focus, the backbone and spinal cord.”
Sustainability & Innovation in the Vineyards
Atkin praises the industry’s commitment to sustainability and regenerative agriculture, from old vine preservation (through the Old Vine Project) to climate-conscious practices like planting in higher, cooler areas, combating soil erosion and embracing Mediterranean grape varieties suited to warmer climates like in Greece and Portugal.
With the national vineyard shrinking below 88,000 hectares, producers are pivoting to quality, terroir-driven wines that reflect the land and its story. Still, there are now 111 grape varieties that are considered suitable for wine growing in South Africa, with the accent on grapes from Albariño to Xinomavro.
Why This Matters for Wine Lovers
For travellers, foodies and wine lovers alike, Atkin’s South Africa Special Report 2025 is a treasure map to discovering the best Cape wines, cellar doors and fine dining pairings. Whether you’re planning a wine-tasting trip to Stellenbosch, a Swartland vineyard tour or a luxury weekend in Franschhoek, this report is the ultimate guide to South Africa’s wine excellence.
To purchase the full report, click here.
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I buy this report every year now. Tim Atkin is encyclopaedic in his knowledge and this is a scholarly work. Despite this, it’s also eminently readable and an invaluable support for those of us who love Cape Wines. You can dip in and out without difficulty.
The wines in the Cape over the past 25 years or so have improved beyond recognition. The extraordinary results from the Swartland, especially Callie Louw, Eben Sadie and Chris and Andrea Mullineux, have proved game-changing in the global position of South Africa in the world of wine. And I would defy anyone to argue that there is no better value anywhere on the planet for serious, world class wines than the Cape.
So thanks, Tim Atkin, for your part in bringing such attention to the wines of SA.
Very well put! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!