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 five experts judging 10 wines at a time and scores are awarded according to the international 100-point scale with no discussion during the first round. Thereafter Silver Outstanding and Gold wines are re-tasted and thoroughly discussed with new scores if necessary and with consensus.
Double Gold – concensus 93 – 100. No re-taste.
Gold 90 – 92; Silver Outstanding 86 – 89; Silver 80 – 85; Bronze 75 – 79

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

2026

  • International Judges

    Uli Hoffmann, Winemaker/wine consultant, UK
    Jonas Rojerman, International wine judge/importer/MW, Sweden
    Jason Millar, Wine writer/International judge, UK
    Jeanne van Dyk, Sommelier/wine educator, USA
    Joe Wadsack, International judge/TV and radio presenter, UK

  • Other White Wine Panel

    Christo Pienaar, CEO/Convenor
    Johan Dippenaar, Manager
    Chris de Villiers, Winemaker
    Hermias Hugo, Marketing Manager
    Bussell Retief, Winemaker
    William Stacey, Category Manager:  Grape and Wine Supply

  • Chenin Blanc

    Jacques Erasmus, Winemaker/Convenor
    Corlea Fourie, Chief Vineyard and Wine
    Isabel Teubes, Wine Procurement Specialist
    Dico du Toit, Blending Cellar Manager
    Jason Miller, Wine writer/international judge, UK

  • Chardonnay

    Jacques Steyn, Managing Director/CWM/Convenor
    Alistair Rimmer, Owner/Winemaker
    Jacobus van Zyl, Operations Manager
    Wade Roger-Lund, Cellar Master
    Joe Wadsack, International judge/TV and radio presenter, UK

  • Sauvignon Blanc

    Pieter-Niel Rossouw, Cellar Master/Convenor
    Elunda Basson, Cellar Master
    Dr Carien Coetzee, Wine Quality Consultant
    Morgan Steyn, Winemaker
    Jean Nel, Winemaker
    Jonas Rojerman, MW/International Wine judge/Importer, Sweden

  • Cap Classique & Sparkling Wine

    Johan Malan, Owner/Convenor
    Jeff Grier, Consultant/CWM
    Pierre de Klerk, Cellar Master
    Jeanne-Marie de Villiers, Freelance
    Jeanne van Dyk, Sommelier/Wine educator, USA

  • Red Blends

    Hattingh de Villiers, Winemaker/Convenor
    Klaas Stofberg, Cellar Master
    Maggie Immelman, Winemaker
    Daniel Slabber, Winemaker
    Tertius Jonck, Manager/Winemaker

  • Bordeaux Blends

    Danielle le Roux, Winemaker/CWM/Convenor
    Wim Truter, Cellar Master
    Richard Schroeder, Winemaker
    Susan Erasmus, Consultant/Technical Sales
    Morgan Steyn, Winemaker

  • Rhone Blends/Pinot Noir

    Charles Hopkins, Cellar Master/Convenor
    Ricardo Cloete, Winemaker
    Bertus Basson, Winemaker
    Shanice du Preez, Assistant Winemaker
    Uli Hoffmann, Winemaker/Wine consultant, UK

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    Bertho v d Westhuizen, Winemaker/Convenor
    Johan Jordaan, Cellar Master
    Wilhelm Pienaar, Winemaker
    Morné Vrey, Winemaker
    Jason Miller, Wine writer/International judge, UK

  • Merlot

    Renier van Deventer, Cellar Master/Convenor
    Heidi Dietstein, Senior Winemaker
    Hermias Vollgraaff, Manager
    Marlee Malan, Marketer/CWM
    Jeanne van Dyk, Sommelier/Wine educator, USA

  • Pinotage & Cape Blends

    Andries Blake, Manager/Convenor
    Francois van Niekerk, CEO/Cellar Master
    Anri Truter, Winemaker
    Abraham van Heerden, Senior Winemaker
    Uli Hoffmann, Winemaker/Wine consultant, UK

     

  • Shiraz

    Riaan Moller, Head Winemaker/Convenor
    Elzette du Preez, Winemaker
    JD Rossouw, Estate Manager
    Juandré Bruwer, Winemaker
    Riaan vd Spuy, Cellar Master/CWM

  • Other Red Varietals

    Anton Swarts, Wine Buyer/Senior Winemaker/CWM/Convenor
    Arthur Basson, Senior Winemaker
    Michiel Visser, Senior Winemaker
    James Osche, Head Winemaker
    Jonas Rojerman,MW, Sweden

  • Port Style & Sweet wines

    Fanie Geyser, Winemaker/Convenor
    Carel Nel, Owner/CWM
    Louis vd Riet, Cellar Master
    Hans Losch, Consultant
    Colin Frith, CWM

  • Dessert Wines

    Hermias Vollgraaff, Manager/Convenor
    Henri Swiegers, Owner/Winemaker
    Melissa Rhode, Wine Procurement Specialist
    Andre Scriven, Head Winemaker
    Johan Dippenaar, Manager

  • Museum Class

    Bennie Howard, Consultant/CWM/Convenor
    Anton Swarts, Wine buyer/Senior Winemaker/CWM
    Christine Rudman, CWM
    Elsie Pells, CWM
    Uli Hoffmann, Winemaker/Wine consultant

  • Brandy

    Winnie Bowman, Wine writer/CWM/Convenor
    Fiona McDonald, Freelance Writer
    Janno Briers Louw, Cellarmaster/CWM
    Lizette Tolken, CWM
    Joe Wadsack, International judge/TV and radio presenter, UK
  • N

    Heritage Wines

    Cathy van Zyl, MW/Convenor
    Janine van Zyl, CWM
    Riaan vd Spuy, Cellar Master/CWM
    Janno Briers Louw, Cellarmaster/CWM
    Brendan Butler, Cellarmaster/CWM

  • Vertex Award Panel

    Uli Hoffmann, Winemaker/wine consultant, UK
    Jonas Rojerman, International wine judge/importer/MW, Sweden
    Jason Miller, Wine writer/International judge, UK
    Jeanne van Dyk, Sommelier/wine educator, USA
    Joe Wadsack, International judge/TV presenter, UK
    Cathy van Zyl, MW
    Charles Hopkins, Cellarmaster
    Christo Pienaar, CEO
    Bennie Howard, CWM
    De Wet Viljoen, Winemaker