Winemag.co.za’s Category Reports, sponsored by Prescient Fund Services, will be released in four-part seasonal series: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer. Our expert panel of judges will taste blind and use the 100-point system in line with international convention. Both wine enthusiasts and producers can mark their calendars accordingly.
Please see our Ratings System page for more details.
Prescient Fund Services, a multinational financial services company empowers success by sponsoring the seasonal category reports.
The Top 10 performers will be revealed online and celebrated at various award events throughout the year.
The year culminates in the announcement of the Overall Best White, Overall Best Red and the Winery of the Year.
– 2026 programme tabled below.
Wines are tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel chaired by Christian Eedes, editor of winemag.co.za.
Wines must be commercially available and the minimum stock requirement is 100 six-bottle cases or 600 bottles. Wines must be certified as South African.
An entry fee of R1495 applies and payment must be made online. An entry sample takes the form of two bottles plus the entry form and a fact sheet with technical analysis. Samples must be scheduled for collection via Aspiring Couriers on or before the specified date. No late submissions will be accepted.
Wines entered must be current release or soon to be released (minimum stock requirement: 100 x 6 bottles). In the event a wine achieves Top 10 status, 18 bottles must be set aside at no charge, these to be served at promotional events.
Important 2026 dates for the REPORTS:
| 2025 month | winemag.co.za Report | Entries Open | Entries Close | Sample Delivery | Report Released | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb-Apr | AUTUMN SERIES
Minority White Minority Red Chenin Blanc Cape White Blends Shiraz |
2 Feb | 18 Mar | 19 Mar | 15 April | |
| Apr-Jun | WINTER SERIES
Pinotage Signature Red Blend Sweet Wine & Fortifieds |
20 Apr | 3 Jun | 4 Jun | 23 June | |
| Sept-Oct | SPRING SERIES
Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon Cape Bordeaux Red Blends |
11 Aug | 2 Sept | 3 Sept | 6 Oct | |
| Nov-Dec |
SUMMER SERIES
Rosé Cap Classique Sauvignon Blanc SauvignonSauv-Sem Blends |
5 Oct | 11 Nov | 12 Nov |
2 Dec |
A Top 10 per category will be released plus scores for all wines entered – Top 10 stickers and regular rating stickers will be available for producers to purchase and consumers are encouraged to look out for these in the retail environment.
The full reports are available online and shared via social media and other channels.
Wineries may purchase Winemag.co.za rating stickers to promote their scores. Stickers are available at R595/1000, email info@winemag.co.za or order via the Winemag.co.za shop. Stickers must be collected from 3 Main Drive, Sea Point, Cape Town on Tuesday or Friday of the week (0836547721) alternatively select the courier option, at an additional flat fee of R125.
Winemag has convened the Wine Design Awards since 2015. The 2026 wine label design competition is proudly sponsored by Aspiring Couriers, secondary sponsors to be announced.
The Wine Design Awards have evolved. Labels remain central, but modern wine branding is multi-dimensional – physical, digital, shelf, online, and storytelling. Our goal: recognise creativity that drives a better South African wine industry without overcomplicating the process.The motivation for the competition is to reward outstanding design as an influence on wine purchases. Only wine produced in South Africa may be entered.
Multi-Layered Submission
Entrants submit all materials capturing the brand experience:
This lets judges assess the brand holistically without physical visits.
Wines must be commercially available and the minimum stock requirement is 50 six-bottle cases.
After official judging, the finalists will be displayed on Winemag.co.za from 17 – 21 August to allow for consumer voting to determine a “People’s Choice” winner. The results will be announced on 28 August 2026.
The entry kit will be available online from 25 May, closing date is 31 July. For further information, contact Jacqueline Lahoud on 083 654 7721 or jax@winemag.co.za.
Join the conversation on X: @Winemag #LabelDesignAwards #Wine @Aspiring
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