In its landmark tenth year, the LUMO Awards celebrated exceptional artistry in winemaking and distilling, honouring the Woman Winemaker and Woman Distiller of the Year, along with Best Cap Classique and Still Wine of the Year, at a tasting held in Stellenbosch on 7 August 2025.

Stellenbosch, 7 August 2025 – Celebrating a decade of honouring exceptional quality, the 2025 LUMO Awards took place at Lanzerac Estate, spotlighting the finest wines and spirits through blind tasting panels judged by all-female industry experts. The competition, now in its tenth year, continues to be a trusted benchmark for excellence in the wine and spirits world.

The panellists were:

CWM René Groenewald, Fiona McDonald – Chair, CWM Jacqui Henderson , CWM Liezl Richards, CWM Catherine Dillon and CWM Lizette Tolken.

The LUMO Awards’ all-female panel brings a distinctive edge to the recognition of excellence in wine and spirits. Women make up a significant share of wine consumers—yet their preferences have historically been overlooked in industry marketing efforts. By having female experts evaluate entries, we align the judging process with the market’s demographics and celebrate female sensory authority and professionalism. In championing women judges, the LUMO Awards not only uphold rigour in evaluation but also affirm the essential role of women in shaping the future of the wine and spirits industry.

Every year, the elevation in excellence underscored the industry’s commitment to pushing boundaries and striving for ever-higher levels of achievement.

Best Cap Classique and Still Wine of the Year: Dr Alvi van der Merwe of Alvi’s Drift Wines. Alvi’s Drift Wines continues to demonstrate remarkable consistency, with his wines regularly earning top honours across competitions—proof of a winemaking vision that transcends judging panels and borders.

• • Cap Classique: Alvi’s Drift Brut Nature Cap Classique 2021 – average score 93.67 (double gold + trophy)

• • Still Wine: Alvi’s Drift Reserve CVC 2024 – average score 94.67 (double gold + trophy)

Alvi’s Drift Wines earned four of the 11 Double Gold awards bestowed across the event.

Woman Winemaker of the Year: Narina Cloete of Blaauwklippen Estate, awarded for her outstanding entries that garnered two Double Gold and two Gold awards. Narina Cloete’s wines impressed across the board, scoring consistently high across multiple entries—a testament to her exceptional skill, versatility, and attention to detail.

Previous Winners: Danielle Coetsee (2020); Salóme Buys-Vermeulen (2021, 2022); Sanmari Snyman (2023); Helena Senekal (2024).

Woman Distiller of the Year: Shanna‑Rae Wilby of Time Anchor Distillery, recognised for her two Double Gold and one Gold awards. Shanna‑Rae Wilby’s 2025 win marks her third title as Woman Distiller of the Year—an unprecedented achievement that cements her status as one of South Africa’s most consistently outstanding distillers.

Previous Winners: Riana Macdougall (2020); Lizl Giacomozzi (2021); Shanna‑Rae Wilby (2022); Chanté Hilse (2023); Shanna‑Rae Wilby again in (2024).

Noteworthy Wine Flights by Category

 Cap Classique

A wide aromatic range—from fresh berries to rich autolytic complexity—shone throughout. Alvi’s Drift Brut Nature Cap Classique 2021 stood above the rest, combining elegance with persistent mousse.

 Chenin Blanc

Cleanly crafted and approachable, with standout depth in select wines. Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2024 deeply impressed with layered fruit and secured Double Gold.

 Sauvignon Blanc

A stylistically diverse flight that balanced acidity and texture, Simonsvlei Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2025 emerged as a clear frontrunner.

 Chardonnay

Vibrant and balanced, with the 2025 vintage showing freshness. However, Blaauwklippen Chardonnay 2023—richer and more complex—earned Double Gold honours.

 White Blends

A compact yet high-quality category. Alvi’s Drift Reserve CVC 2024 triumphed with both the Still Wine trophy and Double Gold. Other standouts included Walker Bay Vineyards Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2024 and DC Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2025.

 Blanc de Noir & Rosé

Bright, fresh, and varied—these wines conveyed balance and fruit-driven appeal.

Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot entries delivered generous red fruit and texture, while Blaauwklippen Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 topped Cabernets with Double Gold recognition.

 Shiraz

A compelling array of styles, from peppery cool-climate varietals to bold, oak-accented warmth.

 Pinotage

The quality across the board was impressive, with Alvi’s Drift Verreaux Pinotage 2023 exemplifying regional refinement and achieving distinction.

 Bordeaux-style & Cape Blends

Both categories showcased ambitious craftsmanship: refined dark fruit and structure in Bordeaux dry blends, and evocative local expression in Cape blends.

Gin

An outstanding array of gins:

• Mirari Celebration Gin – Double Gold
• Ginologist London Dry Gin – Double Gold
• Bossieveld Rooibossie Craft Gin – Double Gold

Each exhibited complexity, clarity, and character.

Tequila

Karoo Kiss by Aerotude Brands offered intrigue but narrowly missed Double Gold.

Liqueurs

Strong entries across the board; Time Anchor Distillery claimed Double Gold for Gincello.

Details about the 2026 LUMO Awards will be on the website by end of October 2025.