KWV Continues Awards Momentum With Strong IWSC Performance

The results of the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) have just been released, and KWV, one of South Africa’s most established and awarded wine and spirit producers, has once again received high praise on the international stage.

Five Silver and two Bronze medals were awarded across KWV’s wine portfolio, including multiple wines from its acclaimed The Mentors range, as well as a top score for Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2019, a Cap Classique with a growing pedigree.

The IWSC is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and influential wine and spirit competitions, known for its rigorous blind tastings judged by a panel of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and global trade professionals. “These results reflect not only technical excellence but also a growing confidence in style and expression among South African producers,” noted organisers.

KWV’s 2025 IWSC results highlight both stylistic diversity and consistency across its portfolio. Within The Mentors range, Grenache Blanc 2022 stood out with 93 points, praised for its “rich and savoury palate, showcasing buttery notes alongside bright apple and grey slate” – a confident showing for a niche varietal that has found an award-winning home in KWV’s cellar.

Additional accolades included The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2021 and Chenin Blanc 2023, each scoring 92 points, while The Mentors Perold 2021, a Cape Blend named in honour of Pinotage pioneer Prof. Abraham Izak Perold, received 91 points.

Adding further distinction to the results, Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2019 achieved 94 points. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay and produced in the traditional method, this Cap Classique continues to cement its place as one of South Africa’s finest. Earlier this year, it claimed Sowetan Cap Classique of the Year at the 2024 Trophy Wine Show with an impressive 97 points, becoming the only wine to earn the title twice – following its 2017 vintage’s win in 2023.

This year’s IWSC saw strong representation from South Africa, with 23 Gold, 225 Silver, and 266 Bronze medals awarded. Judges highlighted a noticeable evolution in balance and finesse across local entries.

“If a viticulturist and winemaker understand the terroir, the wine expresses it in the glass,” commented IWSC judge Dr Erna Blancquaert, reflecting on the synergy behind top-scoring wines.

That synergy lies at the heart of KWV’s winemaking approach. The winery’s success is shaped by a team combining deep technical expertise with an intimate understanding of site and style: Chief Winemaker Justin Corrans, The Mentors Winemaker Izele van Blerk, Laborie Winemaker Kobus van der Merwe, and Chief Viticulturist Marco Ventrella.

IWSC judge Zara Cassidy described the most memorable wines as having “character, balance, class and finesse” — four qualities that have come to define KWV’s modern winemaking identity.

KWV’s recent achievements reflect not only its technical calibre but also its ability to deliver consistently across wine portfolios. In addition to its strong IWSC showing, KWV’s The Mentors range earned three of just 15 Gold medals awarded to South African wines at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in June.

KWV CEO John Loomes commented: “We are proud of the team’s strong results in this competition, and this gives testimony to our focus on delivering high quality wines, across our portfolio.”

Mzansi Pulse

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KWV continues awards momentum with strong IWSC performance

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