iTOO Next Generation Awards 2026: Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 19 May 2026
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Introduction
Results of the this year’s Next Generation Awards sponsored by special risks insurance brand iTOO and convened by Winemag.co.za are live. The aim of this new competition is to identify South Africa’s emerging winemaking talent. A condition of entry was that entrants should be 35 years of age or under at the time of the awards ceremony on 19 May.
There were 59 wines from 27entrants (all wine categories were permitted) and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Meet the Top 10
Banele Vakele
94 – Best Overall
Tembela Syrah 2025
Price: R285
Richard Schroeder
94 – Runner-up
Groot Phesantekraal
Anna de Koning
Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R285
Richard Schroeder
93
Groot Phesantekraal
Anna de Koning
Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R285
Leana Coetzee
93
Diemersdal Wild Horseshoe Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Price: R395
Mika Engelbrecht
93
Neethlingshof
Short Story Collection Maria Noble Late Harvest 2025
Price: R279 per 375ml bottle
93
Christiaan Nigrini
Welbedacht Skoolblok Steen 2025
Price: R165
Angus Paul
93
Staanspoor Syrah 2023
Price: R370
Kiara Scott Farmer
93
Hazendal Syrah 2025
Price: R139
Megan
van der Merwe
93
Beau Constantia Lucca 2022
Price: R465
Handré Visagie
93
Stellenbosch 1679 The Legacy 2020 (Koelenhof)
Price: R625
Tasting notes
For more about the Top 10 plus a list of all wines to rate 90-plus, download the following: iTOO Next Generation Awards 2026
Shop online
Online wine shop Getwine is offering all of the top wines for sale – buy wine.
Winner benefits
Banele Vakele of Tembela wins R10,000 in cash from iTOO and R10,000 in shipping from Aspiring Couriers for best wine overall, with Richard Schroeder of Groot Phesantekraal taking R2,500 in cash and R5,000 in shipping as runner-up.
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