For a young South African wine brand founded on the principles of empowerment and shared prosperity, winning a Gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards is more than an accolade. It is a moment of affirmation.
Stellenbosch-based Visio Vintners, a partnership between local wine producer Kleine Zalze Wines and the Kleine Zalze Empowerment Trust, was recently awarded a coveted Gold medal at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) in London for its Alliance 2022, a red blend crafted from grapes grown in some of Stellenbosch’s finest vineyard sites.
Alliance is an innovative red blend comprising Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Cabernet Franc (25%) and Shiraz (8%), finding itself at the top of Visio Vintners’ diverse portfolio of red, white and rosé wines.
In an industry where international recognition is fiercely contested, the award places Visio Vintners among the world’s leading wine producers and highlights the growing success of South Africa’s black empowerment wine initiatives.
Established in 2004 by the influential UK wine publication Decanter, the Decanter World Wine Awards has evolved into the largest and one of the most respected wine competitions globally.
The 2026 competition attracted close to 17 000 entries from 58 countries, all assessed through a rigorous blind-tasting process by an international panel comprising Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and leading wine experts.
Launched as a black empowerment wine project, the Empowerment Trust is owned and managed by employees working across the Kleine Zalze Wines business, creating opportunities for meaningful participation, skills development and long-term economic inclusion.
Sandra Koen, trustee of Visio Vintners said this recognition means a lot for an enormous amount to everyone involved in Visio Vintners.
“Receiving a Gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards validates our unwavering commitment to quality and excellence. It is recognition not only of the wine itself, but of the people behind it and the vision that inspired the project.
“The award for our Alliance 2022 demonstrates that transformation and excellence are not mutually exclusive goals. Instead, it provides compelling evidence that South Africa’s empowerment initiatives can produce wines capable of competing at the highest international level,” she said.
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Koen says the award sends a powerful message about the future of South African wine.
“We hope this award inspires other empowerment projects and reinforces South Africa’s reputation as a producer of outstanding wines across all sectors of the industry.”
Gerald Snyman, also a Trustee, said that Visio Vintners was an exceptional position in terms of wine quality, as it has access to vineyards in prime Stellenbosch terroir.
“The Alliance 2022 blend reflects both the heritage and diversity of Stellenbosch. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of the wine, bringing structure, depth and classic blackcurrant fruit.
“Cabernet Franc contributes aromatic complexity and elegance, while Shiraz adds spice and richness,” Snyman said.
The grapes are sourced exclusively from Visio Vintners own vineyards adjacent to the Kleine Zalze Wines property in Stellenbosch, a region internationally recognised for producing some of South Africa’s finest red wines.
“Benefiting from a combination of decomposed granite soils, varied elevations and the cooling influence of False Bay, Stellenbosch offers ideal conditions for cultivating grapes with concentration, balance and character,” Snyman said,
Over generations, the region has established a formidable reputation for producing world-class Bordeaux-style blends, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc particularly well suited to its diverse terroirs. By incorporating Shiraz to the two classic Bordeaux varieties, Alliance 2022 reflects a contemporary interpretation of Stellenbosch’s winemaking potential.
“The wine’s name captures the essence of the Visio Vintners story: an alliance between people, vineyards, expertise and opportunity.
“At a time when the South African wine industry continues to pursue meaningful transformation, Visio Vintners’ success offers an inspiring example of what can be achieved when empowerment is underpinned by genuine participation and an uncompromising pursuit of quality,” Koen said.
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