Enter Competition

Judging

The judging system for Veritas has been described as one of the most thorough in the industry. Judging panels are representative of the entire wine industry and include winemakers, distillers, researchers, academics and merchants and are compiled in collaboration with the relevant cultivar work groups.

All the judges are required to have a wine judging certificate from the University of Stellenbosch, a Cape Wine Masters Diploma or a similar accreditation.

International judges with vast experience in judging are invited to join the panels and to share their knowledge to award the best wines and brandies.
Wines and brandies are tasted blind by panels that consist of seven experts judging 10 wines at a time. Thereafter entries are thoroughly discussed and scores are awarded according to the international 20-point scale, with discussion and consensus.

A Double Gold medal is awarded through a consensus decision by the panel if the wine/brandy scores 18 or more out of 20. Gold is awarded when a wine/brandy notches-up 17 points, a silver sticker will go on a bottle of wine/brandy if the wine scored 16 points, while bronze medals go to wines/brandies that scored 15 points.

The integrity of Veritas’ judges is indisputable and the whole judging process is audited through independent auditors.

2024

  • International Judges

    Michael Franz, PhD, USA
    Ulrich Hoffmann, UK
    Jo Wessels, Germany
    Joe Wadsack, UK

  • Dry White Wine Panel

    Christo Pienaar Convenor
    Johan Dippenaar
    Bussel Retief
    William Stacey
    Tertius Jonck

  • Chenin Blanc

    Albertus Louw Convenor
    Jacques Erasmus
    Corlea Fourie
    Isabel Teubes
    Johan Linde

  • Chenin Blanc Panel 2

    Jacques Steyn Convenor
    Marthinus Rademeyer
    Alistair Rimmer
    Theuns Botha
    Michael Franz

  • Chardonnay

    Sjaak Nelson Convenor
    Rianie Strydom
    Praisy Dlamini
    Rudolph Steenkamp
    Joe Wadsack

  • Sauvignon Blanc

    Pieter-Niel Rossouw Convenor
    RJ Botha
    Marlee Malan
    Morgan Steyn
    Jo Wessels

  • Cap Classique & Sparkling Wine

    Johan Malan Convenor
    Jeff Grier
    Heidi Duminy
    Erna Blancquaert
    Uli Hoffmann

  • Dry Red Blends

    Hattingh de Villiers Convenor
    Klaas Stofberg
    Tinnie Momberg
    Janno Briers Louw
    De Wet Viljoen

  • Bordeaux Blends

    Danielle le Roux Convenor
    Susan Erasmus
    Wilhelm Pienaar
    Warren Ellis
    Jo Wessels

  • Rhone Blends/Pinot Noir Certified heritage wines

    Charles Hopkins Convenor
    Kiara Scott-Farmer
    Bertus Basson
    Kelsey Shungking
    Uli Hoffmann

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    Johan Jordaan Convenor
    Conrad Louw
    Wade Roger-Lund
    Welma Smith
    Bertho v d Westhuizen

  • Merlot

    Karlin Nel Convenor
    Jenna Higgins
    Morné Kemp
    Renier van Deventer
    André Roux

  • Pinotage & Cape Blends

    Francois van Niekerk Convenor
    Abraham van Heerden
    Izele van Blerk
    Stander Maass
    Michael Franz

  • Shiraz

    Elzette du Preez Convenor
    JD Rossouw
    Juandre Bruwer
    Rudger van Wyi
    Leon Dippenaar

  • Other Red Varietals

    Anton Swarts Convenor
    Arthur Basson
    WS Visagie
    Michiel Visser
    Joe Wadsack

  • Port Style & Sweet wines

    Fanie Geyser Convenor
    Margaux Nel
    Louis van der Riet
    Raymond Noppé
    Colin Frith

  • Dessert Wines

    Hermias Vollgraaff Convenor
    Henri Swiegers
    Melissa Rhode
    Andre Scriven
    Chris Crafford

  • Museum Class

    Bennie Howard Convenor
    Cathy van Zyl
    Neil Ellis
    Elsie Pells
    Uli Hoffmann

  • Brandy

    Winnie Bowman Convenor
    Fiona McDonald
    Lizette Tolken
    Conrad Louw
    Mary-Lou Nash

  • Vertex Award Panel

    Michael Franz
    Uli Hoffmann
    Joe Wadsack
    Christo Pienaar
    Bennie Howard
    De Wet Viljoen
    Richard Kershaw
    Cathy van Zyl
    Samarie Smith-Meletiou
    André van Rensburg