Vergelegen Wine Estate has earned top international recognition with its Estate White 2023 taking the trophy for the best South African white wine at the prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC). Widely regarded as one of the most rigorous and impartial wine competitions globally, the IWC judges wines from over 35 countries through blind tastings conducted by nearly 250 industry experts.
“When you put wines from over 35 countries head to head and get them blind tasted by nearly 250 of the world’s best palates, the results can be truly eye-opening,” said IWC owner Chris Ashton.
The winning Vergelegen blend is sourced from the estate’s cool, south-east-facing vineyards in Somerset West, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Described as elegant and refined, with mineral overtones, the wine is dominated by notes of lemon, crushed rosemary and fresh apple.
In addition to its IWC trophy, the Estate White 2023 has already garnered impressive critical acclaim: 95 points from Decanter magazine, 94 points from British wine critic Tim Atkin, and 96 points from local publication Winemag.co.za.
Vergelegen Managing Director Wayne Coetzer celebrated the win, saying: “We are extremely proud that our Estate White has won an IWC trophy, one of the highest honours in the global wine industry. This accolade is a powerful testament to the passion, knowledge, and relentless pursuit of excellence by our entire team, from vineyard to cellar.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to our viticulturists, winemakers, and support staff. This achievement belongs to all of you.”
South Africa’s wine industry has experienced growing international success, with 23 gold medals awarded to South African wines at the 2025 IWC—an increase from 15 gold medals in 2024. The country now ranks seventh among the top 15 wine-producing nations, based on the number of medals won.
While France continues to lead globally in terms of total awards, the 2025 results indicate a shift in the international wine landscape, as “new world” producers, such as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, gain ground on the traditionally dominant “old world” wine regions.
The IWC recognition marks another milestone for Vergelegen, whose history dates back more than 300 years, as it continues to cement its place as a leading force in South African viticulture.