Celebrating excellence: the 2026 Wine Harvest Commemorative event at Groot Constantia
The winners and sponsors of the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event that was held at the Groot Constantia wine estate.
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It is a vast expanse of land with rows and rows of grapevines as far as the eye can see, all watched over by the iconic Table Mountain.
For 367 years Groote Constantia has been producing award winning wines, gracing the tables of royalty, presidents and ordinary wine lovers, all drawn to not only the premium wines, but also the story behind it. Because it is here that the first vines were planted after the arrival of Dutch coloniser Jan van Riebeeck on orders from the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
Jean Naude, CEO of Groot Constantia believes it was the combination of the sea, wind and soil that made the area ideal for winemaking.
“The way I see it, and I have it in my mind, is that when Jan van Riebeeck planted those seeds, he planted it in a very special incubator and that seed has germinated and gave rise to something very special. As an industry we produce excellent wines. We defined the cultivar Chenin Blanc in a way that no other wine industries could define it. We got our own Pinotage. We got a wine route network that forms a tourism haven. The beauty of Cape Dutch architecture, you will not find it in any other wine industry. “
The Retief family of Van Loveren Wine Estate received the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership.
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It is this uniqueness and history that made the Groot Constantia Estate the ideal venue for the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, welcoming dignitaries, industry leaders, and wine enthusiasts.
Clifford van der Venter, Chairperson of the Groot Constantia Trust, remarked on the significance of the event: "This year's Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, again hosted by Groot Constantia, was a wonderful celebration of the vibrant community that defines our wine heritage. It was a privilege to honour the individuals and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to our industry. With this depth of talent and expertise we can be confident that we will continue to hold our own in a very competitive global market."
The event turned the spotlight on five exemplary figures recognised for their significant contributions to the industry. The 2026 recipients included:
- The Retief family of Van Loveren Wine Estate:1659 Award for Visionary Leadership
- Denzel Swarts:Growing Inclusivity category
- Pieter Ferreira:Wine Advancement category
- Charl Theron:Viti- and Viniculture category
- Wilfred Fortuin:Wine Agri-Worker category
The Retief family’s visionary leadership at Van Loveren Wine Estate earned them the coveted 1659 Award. Their strategic focus encompasses six growth pillars—wine tourism, acquisitions, transformation, innovation, sustainability, and diversification. They have developed wine tourism into a compelling narrative through innovative tasting room experiences and strategic acquisitions that honour South Africa's winemaking heritage. The family's commitment to transformation is exemplified through impactful employee shareholding initiatives, coupled with sustainable practices recognized by Evolve-BGS and WineMag’s 2025 Energy Assessment Champion Award.
Denzel Swarts, Sales and Brand Executive at Zoetendal Vineyards, was celebrated for his work in fostering inclusivity in a historically challenging landscape. Rising quickly through the ranks at Simonsig, he has shattered racial and socio-economic barriers. Appointed to several influential roles, including director of the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, Swarts has vowed to uplift others in his community. His receipt of the Golden Vines® Wine Scholar Guild Scholarship further underscores his commitment to help the next generation.
Pieter Ferreira was lauded for his relentless dedication to the art of bottle-fermented sparkling wine that has propelled the Cap Classique category onto the global stage. As a stalwart of Graham Beck since 1990, his initiatives, including the annual Base Wine Tasting, have unified industry players to enhance quality and innovation in sparkling wine production—ensuring South African Cap Classique earns its rightful place among the world's finest.
With over five decades of experience, Charl Theron's expertise in wine production stands unmatched. An accomplished academic, he played a pivotal role at the University of Stellenbosch and contributed significantly across professional societies within the wine sector. His establishment of training initiatives for wine enthusiasts has imbued a culture of appreciation and understanding of the viticulture and oenology disciplines, marking him as a deserving recipient of this honour.
Recognised as the Wine Agri-Worker of 2026, Wilfred Fortuin represents the backbone of the industry—vineyard and cellar workers whose efforts are pivotal to its success. His journey from a passionate learner at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute to an ambassador during the 2025 Cellar Worker Exchange Programme in Burgundy illustrates his drive for self-development and leadership among aspiring agricultural workers.
Dr Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape Government Minister of Agriculture, underscored the industry's significance: “Today we recognise the excellence, innovation, and inclusivity that keep this sector globally competitive,” he remarked, shining a light on the hard work behind the scenes by agri-workers, whose dedication bolsters rural communities across the province.