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Quality is a credit to a team of great individuals, says Senior Winemaker Izele van Blerk
KWV has closed off the year with another unambiguous performance having received a string of awards – including Petit Verdot of the Year – from the Platter’s 2026 South African wine guide. “After the terrific year of awards that KWV has enjoyed, there can be little doubt that consistent excellence is firmly enshrined in our legacy,” says senior winemaker Izele van Blerk, who heads The Mentors range that once again shined brightly.
The Platter’s guide is the longest and oldest guide of its kind in South Africa, celebrating its 46th edition this year. The star-awards its esteemed panel awards every year are regarded as one of the most authoritative indicators of the country’s best wines. The awards function took place at cellar of The Sadie Family Wines in the Swartland.
Taking top honours for KWV at Platter’s this year was The Mentors 2022, named Petit Verdot Wine of the Year. It led the field of two additional five-star ratings for its wines and no less than eight for its brandies.
The five-star ratings for KWV Mentors went to the category winner Petit Verdot as well as the The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2023 and The Mentors Pinotage 2022.
Of 15 five-star brandies awarded by the Platter’s panel this year, KWV claimed more than half of them. The winners were the KWV Centenary, Nexus, 15 Year Old Alambic, 12 Year Old Barrel Select, 10 Year Old Vintage, Cellar Reserve XO Potstill and Signature Release VS.
KWV also secured haul of four-and-a-half and four-star accolades that have further cemented The Mentors as arguably South Africa’s most awarded wine portfolio.
Hailing the achievements and the KWV team behind the wines, Izele, said this year’s ratings were significant for the recognition they afforded not only KWV’s skill with niche varieties but also Pinotage in particular.
“Platter’s is traditionally the last big show of the year, and for us, this win is a tremendous finish, especially because of the Petit Verdot,” says Izele. “The KWV Mentors range was a pioneer in establishing the variety in South Africa as a premium, single variety wine.”
She said most of these varieties extend quality across the range, where they’re also used in brands such as Roodeberg.
Where the Pinotage is concerned, KWV’s success with Pinotage at Platter’s rounds out a year of successes. KWV Mentors was among the year’s Pinotage Top 10 and Cape Blend Top 10. “It’s super special that this has happened in the centenary year of Pinotage,” says Izele.
“In terms of consistency, a winemaker is fortunate to be able to do well at a competition, but KWV has consistently been recognised at shows throughout the year and beyond. Quality is always the focus, and at every level.”
Just weeks ago, KWV was the subject of a historic performance at Veritas – South Africa’s biggest wine and brandy competition, where the pioneering Paarl wine and brandy company was named Best Wine Producer for the third consecutive year. The highest honour, the Duimpie Bayly Vertex Award, was also bestowed on KWV The Mentors Perold 2022 – the third time KWV has claimed the trophy since its introduction in 2017.
In total, Veritas awarded KWV a record-breaking eight Double Golds and thirteen Golds for its wines and two Double Golds and six Golds for its brandies.
The victory at Platter’s is a personal milestone for Izele, who has been with KWV for 15 years. She is the winemaker who has been with The Mentors range the longest.
“For me, it feels as if everything in the past five years has just clicked when it comes to the team and our understanding of the vineyards. Every member of the team – including the growers – understands the importance of their role and the vision.
“It’s like a puzzle, and everyone is a piece. Unless everyone does their role, the puzzle can never be completed. This year, once again, the puzzle came together.”