Steenberg Vineyards’ 2022 Merlot claims a prestigious title at the international London wine competition.
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A good glass of wine always feels personal. Right now, a Western Cape favourite is making waves around the world.
Steenberg Vineyards’ 2022 Merlot just won gold and Merlot of the Year at the International London Wine Competition, and it makes perfect sense.
If you’ve ever sat on that terrace in Constantia, glass in hand, you already know this isn’t just hype. This is Western Cape wine culture showing up and showing off on the world stage.
Trade professionals, including buyers and sommeliers, judge the wines blind before considering price and presentation.
It’s not just about taste. The London competition is known for judging wines the way real people experience them: quality, value for money, and how they actually look on the shelf. In other words, would you buy it, love it, and come back for it?
And according to CEO Sid Patel, "Winning a medal here means your wine performs across taste, value, and shelf appeal, making it a strong contender in both domestic and international markets.”
Think soft dark fruit, plum, and mulberry, layered with hints of liquorice, cedar, and even a touch of lavender. It opens up into something deeper: raspberry, spice, and that almost savoury umami edge.
It’s smooth but structured, the kind of wine that doesn’t rush you. And if you’re pairing? It’s perfect with hearty Mediterranean food and long, lazy lunches that turn into hours of conversations that stretch.
This Merlot is crafted with a vision for longevity, designed to age beautifully for five to seven years.
Image: Supplied
The wine is also designed to age for five to seven years. Production methods are consistent with quality-focused winemaking.
The grapes come from low-yield vineyards and are fermented on skins for up to two weeks, and the wine is matured for 24 months in older French oak barrels to build structure without overpowering the fruit.
For Western Cape producers, this kind of recognition carries weight. The region’s wine industry has a long history, with Constantia widely regarded as one of the oldest wine-producing areas in the Southern Hemisphere.
Today, South African wines continue to gain traction globally. Data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine shows the country remains among the world’s leading wine producers, with steady export growth and increasing demand for premium yet accessible wines. And this win reflects that positioning.
Carryn Wiltshire, marketing manager at Steenberg Vineyards, said, “What makes this award particularly meaningful is the competition’s commercial lens, where quality, value, and packaging are all measured in the context of real buying decisions.
"It’s a strong validation of the wine’s balance, craftsmanship, and ability to stand out on the shelf as well as in the glass.”
This balance is exactly why it matters to everyday wine lovers: it’s not just for special occasions; it’s accessible luxury. It’s the kind of bottle you bring to dinner to quietly impress without trying too hard.