Spier Wine Farm is thrilled to announce that its Seaward Shiraz 2022 has been recognised as one of the Top 12 Shiraz wines in South Africa at the prestigious Shiraz SA Challenge 2024.
This achievement marks the third consecutive year that a Spier Seaward wine has received top honours in a varietal competition, following wins for the Seaward Sauvignon Blanc in the FNB Sauvignon Blanc Challenge in 2023 and the Seaward Chenin Blanc in the 2022 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge.
The Coast with the Most
- A celebration of coastal terroir, the Spier Seaward Shiraz 2022 represents the Cape’s incredible natural advantage. True to its name, the Seaward range draws its distinctive character from vineyards facing the ocean, all located within 25km of the Atlantic Seaboard.
“What makes each Seaward wine exceptional is its proximity to the ocean,” explains Seaward red winemaker Heidi Dietstein. “In summer, the vines benefit from cooling ocean breezes and cooler soils – optimal conditions for gradual ripening and increased grape quality. We all love our coast, and as it turns out, so do our vines.” This maritime influence, including strong winds, cold air, and fog, contributes to the wine’s exceptional quality.
The Shiraz SA Challenge, organised by Shiraz SA, the official association for South African Shiraz, is a highly respected competition in the wine industry. Held annually in April, it employs a unique judging system developed with the University of Stellenbosch to ensure fair and unbiased evaluation. The challenge not only showcases the best Shiraz wines in the country but also reflects the remarkable growth of this cultivar across South Africa’s diverse wine regions. This Shiraz SA Challenge Top 12 title adds another accolade to this wine’s impressive record, with the 2022 vintage already making waves in the wine world by scoring a remarkable 96 points in the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition and becoming a best-seller from the farm.
Good Wine From a Good Place
The grapes for this cool climate wine were selected from 15 to 20-year-old trellised vines grown on flat to cooler, eastern-facing slopes to promote fruit preservation. Rich, deep, decomposed granite soils with good water retention and medium fertility resulted in low, concentrated yields that contributed to the complexity and tannin structure of the wine. Due to the proximity to the icy waters of the Atlantic, the fruit develops slowly, resulting in a deep ruby red wine with upfront flavours of mulberry, cassis, and blackberry, complemented by concentrated fruit flavours leading to a smooth, dense tannin finish.
“From incredible sites and teamwork from great partners, we can take what is given to us by Mother Nature and cradle it into a true reflection from the great shores of the Cape. Put simply, we have options – and my team and I are making the most of them,” adds Spier Cellar Master Johan Jordaan.
The Seaward Shiraz 2022 is a product of Spier’s commitment to regenerative agriculture and the maxim of growing good wine in good soil by good people. With 620 hectares of meticulously restored land under its care, the winery is proudly aligned with a global movement dedicated to social and environmental responsibility. Aiming for a net zero-aligned carbon footprint by 2030, Spier is a WWF-SA Conservation Champion, focusing on restorative agriculture practices such as organic farming. In 2022, South Africa’s esteemed Platter’s Wine Guide recognised their efforts as ‘Editor’s Choice: Winery of the Year’. Spier was also honoured with the 2022 Ethical Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards.
The Spier Seaward range, which includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon, continues to garner attention for its crisp acidity, elegant appeal, and refreshing saline finish – characteristics that have become synonymous with quality coastal wines.
The Seaward wines can be tasted and purchased at the farm in Stellenbosch and online at shop.spier.co.za.
