VERITAS 2025

LIVING LEGENDS 2025

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won the Cap Classique challenge an unprecedented three times. The prestigious Diners Club Winemaker of the Year was awarded to Johan in 2020 for the Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel 2015. Johan was the founding chairperson of the newly formed Cap Classique Producers Association in 1992. This was one of the very first association ever formed to promote one specific style of wine. Membership now stands at 120. In 1984 he was invited to join the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild and twice served as chairperson. The annual auction of the CWG gave him the ideal platform to express his innovative talents. Johan’s use of new French oak barrels in 1989 for Pinotage was a big step forward to show the world the great potential of South Africa’s own grape variety. His CWG Auction Reserve blend of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in 1991 was an immediate success and created a new style of wine that became known as Cape Blend. The wine was named in honour of Frans Malan, the family patriarch who started the Simonsig story in 1953. The Grapesmith wines with grape varieties like Marsanne, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc among others, were born out of Johan’s interest in white and red varieties from the warm and dry Southern Rhône vineyards. With an eye on climate change, these varieties are well positioned to make top quality wines even under hotter and more arid conditions. Another of Johan’s dreams came true in 2008 with the first Simonsig The Garland single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the iconic Simonsberg slopes was made. The Garland 2020 received the accolade as the best Cabernet Sauvignon in South Africa by the Platter Wine Guide . The grapes came from the vineyards once farmed by his grandfather Pieter Beyers van Niekerk. To him it was like the completion of the circle of life over 3 generations.