Alvi’s Drift is turning the 2025 competition season into a veritable gold rush, amassing an extraordinary collection of accolades that reinforce its standing as one of South Africa’s most awarded and respected wineries. A standout triumph is the coveted
Vineyard Consistency Award at the NWC, which recognises only those vineyards that have delivered a sustained spread of Top 100 winning wines across the full 15 years of the competition’s history. For 2025, just three vineyards achieved this rare distinction — and leading them all is Alvi’s Drift, ranked South Africa’s number one estate with an unmatched 62 winning wines. This year alone, Alvi’s Drift wines have to date brought home over 85 medals from six leading South African and international competitions, including 8 Great Golds, 14 Double Golds, 43 Golds, 9 Double Platinums, the coveted White Wine of the Year title, Grand Cru National Champion, multiple Top 100 listings, Top 20 in the Chenin Blanc Challenge, Trophy for Best in Show and Best Cap Classique.
The results span the winery’s full portfolio from the Albertus Viljoen Icon Range wines to the Verreaux Pinotage, premium Reserve range, versatile 221 collection, and its celebrated Cap Classique releases, demonstrating remarkable consistency and depth of quality across styles and price points.
“These awards are a testament to our commitment to excellence at every stage of winemaking — from vineyard to cellar and to the dedication of our entire team. ” says Alvi van der Merwe, winemaker.
“Our winery is home to a wide selection of multi-award-winning wines. We take pride in producing icons that compete with the world’s best, but also in crafting wines for everyday enjoyment that consistently impress in competitions”
The highlight of the season was the National Wine Challenge’s recognition of the Albertus ViljoenChenin Blanc 2023 as White Wine of the Year, alongside Top 100 listings. Internationally, the winery
secured Great Gold medals at both the International Wine & Spirits Awards and the Catavinum World Wine & Spirits Competition, as well as high scores from the prestigious Decanter World Wine
Awards, with the Reserve Muscat Nectarinia 2017 earning 95 points. Cape Wine Master Junel van der Merwe adds: “What excites me most is the breadth of these
results.
The Albertus Viljoen range continues to command respect, but our Verreaux Pinotage,Reserve, 221, Signature, and Cap Classique wines are winning just as much attention. It shows that the Alvi’s Drift style — elegant, balanced, and expressive of our Scherpenheuwel terroir — resonates with judges across markets.”
Full 2025 Competition Results National Wine Challenge (Top 100 SA Wines)
Won first place in the Vineyard Consistency Award at the NWC, recognizing Alvi’s Drift as South Africa’s top estate over 15 years from 2010 to 2025 with an unmatched 62 wins.
Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc: White Wine of the Year; Top 100; Double Platinum; Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class
Albertus Viljoen Bismarck: Top 100; Double Platinum
Albertus Viljoen Bismarck: Top 100; Double Platinum
Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay: Double Gold
Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay: Top 100; Double Platinum
Verreaux Pinotage: Top 100; Double Platinum
Reserve Viognier: Top 100; Double Platinum; Grand Cru 1st Place
Reserve CVC: Top 100; Double Platinum
Reserve CVC: Top 100; Double Platinum
Reserve Chardonnay: Top 100; Double Platinum
Reserve Drift Fusion: Double Gold
221 Chenin Blanc: Double Gold
221 Pinotage: Double Gold
221 Sauvignon Blanc: Double Gold
221 Special Cuvée: Top 100; Double Platinum
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon: Double Gold
Signature Chardonnay: Double Gold
Signature Merlot: Double Gold
Signature Shiraz: Double Gold
Brut Cap Classique: Top 100; Double Platinum
Brut Rosé: Double Gold
The Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Challenge
221 Range Chenin Blanc: Top 20
International Wine & Spirits Awards
Albertus Viljoen Bismarck: Great Gold-95/100
Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay: Great Gold-96/100
Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc: Great Gold-96/100
Verreaux Pinotage: Great Gold-95/100
Reserve CVC: Gold-94/100
Reserve Chardonnay: Gold-94/100
Reserve Drift Fusion: Gold-94/100
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc: Gold-93/100
221 Chenin Blanc: Gold-93/100
Brut Blanc de Blanc: Gold-91/100
Brut Cap Classique: Gold-92/100
Brut Nature Cap Classique: Gold-92/100
Catavinum World Wine & Spirits Competition
Albertus Viljoen Bismarck: Great Gold-96/100
Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay: Great Gold-95/100
Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc: Great Gold-96/100
Verreaux Pinotage: Great Gold-97/100
Reserve CVC: Gold-93/100
Reserve Chardonnay: Gold-94/100
Reserve Drift Fusion: Gold-94/100
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc: Gold-94/100
Reserve Viognier: Gold-93/100
221 Chenin Blanc: Gold-92/100
221 Special Cuvée: Gold-93/100
Brut Blanc de Blanc: Gold-92/100
Brut Cap Classique: Gold-94/100
Brut Nature Cap Classique: Gold-94/100
Brut Rosé: Gold-90/100
Signature Chardonnay: Gold
Signature Chenin Blanc: Gold
Signature Merlot: Gold
Signature Viognier: Gold
Alvi’s Drift Wines dominated the 2025 LUMO Awards, winning four of the eleven Double Golds—more than any other producer—and taking Trophies for Best Wine on Show (ReserveCVC) and Best Cap Classique (Brut Nature).
Verreaux Pinotage: Double Gold
Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay: Gold
Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc: Double Gold
Reserve CVC: Double Gold | Trophy for Best Wine on Show
Reserve Chardonnay: Gold
Reserve Drift Fusion: Gold
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc: Gold
Reserve Viognier: Gold
221 Chenin Blanc: Gold
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon: Gold
Signature Chardonnay: Gold
Signature Chenin Blanc: Gold
Signature Pinotage: Gold
Signature Pinotage Rosé: Gold
Signature Sauvignon Blanc: Gold
Signature Viognier: Gold
Brut Blanc de Blanc: Gold
Brut Cap Classique: Gold
Brut Nature Cap Classique: Double Gold | Trophy for Best Cap Classique
The American Express Fine Wine Awards
Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay: 95/100
Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc: 95/100
Verreaux Pinotage: Gold 95/100
Reserve CVC: Gold 95/100
Reserve Viognier: Gold 95/100
Verreaux Pinotage 94/100
AV Bismarck 91/100
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 92/100
Reserve Chardonnay 92/100
Reserve Drift Fusion 92/100
Signature Viognier 90/100
Decanter World Wine Awards
Reserve Muscat Nectarinia: 95/100
Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc: 92/100
Reserve Viognier: 91/100
Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc: 90/100
Reserve CVC: 90/100