Constantia is one of South Africa’s oldest wine-producing regions, with a winemaking history that stretches back centuries. Its vineyards remain a drawcard for visitors to Cape Town, and the latest recognition for Steenberg Vineyards adds another reason for wine lovers to take note of the historic estate.
Steenberg’s Merlot 2023 has received a Gold medal at the 2026 Veritas Awards, one of South Africa’s longest-running wine competitions. The announcement, made on 15 October, follows a string of international accolades for the estate’s previous Merlot vintage.
A winning record across vintages
The latest award recognises the 2023 vintage, while the 2022 vintage has also performed well on the international stage. It received Gold and was named Merlot of the Year at the 2026 London Wine Competition before earning a Platinum medal at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Although awards offer a useful indication of how a wine performs under expert assessment, each vintage has its own character. Weather, growing conditions and decisions made throughout the production process all contribute to the wine that eventually reaches the bottle.
According to Carryn Wiltshire, Marketing Manager at Steenberg Vineyards, recognition across successive vintages reflects the consistency behind the wine.
“Each vintage has its own character, but our focus remains the same: to produce a Merlot with depth, structure and freshness that expresses its origins,” she says.
What makes the Veritas Awards significant?
Established in 1991, the Veritas Awards are among South Africa’s longest-running and most respected wine competitions. Wines are assessed through blind tasting by expert judges, meaning the wines are evaluated without the tasters knowing their identities.
A Gold medal therefore recognises the quality of the wine as assessed in the competition, rather than simply the reputation of the estate behind it.
For South Africa’s wine industry, competitions such as Veritas provide a platform for recognising the work that takes place throughout the winemaking process, from managing the vines to the final decisions made in the cellar.
From vineyard to bottle in Constantia
Producing a consistent wine begins long before the grapes reach the cellar. At Steenberg, viticulturist Vlok Hanekom oversees aspects of vineyard management, including crop control and harvest timing, helping establish the quality of the fruit.
Cellarmaster Elunda Basson then works with that foundation in the cellar, aiming to preserve the fruit’s character while developing the wine’s texture, structure and freshness.
It is a process that requires decisions at every stage, with the growing season and the condition of the grapes influencing the final result.
For visitors to Constantia, Steenberg’s latest accolade is another reminder of the winemaking taking place in this established corner of Cape Town. The estate’s Merlot has now received recognition across successive vintages, with the latest Gold medal acknowledging the work behind the 2023 release.
For those planning a wine-tasting outing in the region, Steenberg is one of the estates to put on the list. As always, check the estate’s official website for current tasting experiences, opening times and booking information before visiting.
Plan a visit: Steenberg Vineyards
ALSO SEE: Steenberg Farm’s historic Manor House restored in Cape Town
