The excellence of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc from Bonnievale has once again been highlighted at one of the country’s most auspicious championships. Judges at this year’s Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards awarded some of the event’s highest scores to Bonnievale Winery’s The River Collection Chenin Blanc 2023 and Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2021.

Each received a Double Gold medal, which represents a score of 93 out of a possible 100 points - or higher. They were among just 12.8% of the 1 555 entries this year that made the cut.

“To us, these awards serve primarily as recognition of the faith, care and dedication our growers have invested in quality over many generations,” says Bonnievale Winery chief winemaker Marthinus Rademeyer. “Only outstanding grapes can make outstanding wine, as these awards from Michelangelo have again shown.”

Other recent awards for the Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 include Gold at the Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge, and selection as one of the National Wine Challenge (NWC) Top 100 wines of 2023. It was also the second consecutive time NWC awarded the wine Double Platinum.

The Bonnievale Chenin Blanc received Gold at Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge and was rated by veteran wine authority Michael Fridjhon as a five-star wine in terms of value.

In excelling at the Michelangelo Awards this year, both wines showcase the world-class quality of Bonnievale Winery’s wines across price points and varieties. The competition is renowned for its international panel of judges, which comprised top experts from five continents.

The essence of a champion - Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon

Bonnievale ward is known as a source of top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, with many wineries across the winelands making use of grapes from the region for their own labels. The Bonnievale Winery Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – a full-bodied wine - is a premier example.

In its making, vineyard rows that consistently excel are first earmarked. They are then subjected to strict pruning and other intense viticultural management before the fruit is harvested at optimal ripeness. Secondary selection of fruit takes place at the winery. It is then vinified in small batches, aged in French and American oak barrels for 18 months and bottle-matured prior to release.

Typical of excellence - River Collection Chenin Blanc

The River Collection Chenin Blanc 2023 is typical of the variety, showing all the traits that make it popular. It is bracingly crisp and shows floral and fruity characters on the nose and palate.

A medium-bodied wine, it hails from vineyards that are meticulously farmed. Once harvested, this vintage’s fruit underwent 16 days of fermentation prior to settling and bottling.

The Chenin Blanc is available from Bonnievale Winery’s online store, www.bonnievalewines.co.za, for R73/bottle. The Cabernet Sauvignon sells from the site for R171/bottle.

All wines produced by Bonnievale Winery are available countrywide.

For more information about Bonnievale Wines, visit the website, phone 023 616 2795 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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