Style is a matter of opinion. Quality is the bottom line.
Free thinking wine and spirits lovers Celebrate quality
Gone are the days of green wines and spirits with ingredients that are simply correct – we are celebrating the future through the present.
This wine and spirits event is there to celebrate new thinking
New styles and trends are what keeps the world spinning, and without innovation, life would simply be pedestrian. We aim to celebrate both ingenuity and established quality.
As a value-add we also celebrate value
Wines that are R160 and below, Sparkling wines that are R220 and below, and spirits that are R320 and below qualify for value awards.
The aim is to identify new trends, and ride the waves of innovation
Looking for new styles while celebrating super quality, this is where we invite our open-minded tasters to go. We have thrown out the rules, and celebrate progressive thinking.
Innovative techniques and established quality
The spirits industry is constantly changing, but some styles and established quality just stand out head and shoulders above the rest.
About the event
This event is now in its seventh year, and has been rebranded Vogue Wine and Spirits Awards, from the previous name, Merit Wine and Spirit Challenge. This event is a platform for free thinking generation of wine and spirit lovers to voice their opinion.
The goal is to showcase modern and new styles, while appreciating older styles that are still relevant.
This event is unique in the fact that is makes use of a hybrid system, evaluating the wines and spirits in terms of both quality, and value for money. The main focus is quality, and wine and spirits of entry price category can enter.
Wine and spirits will be awarded Gold and Double Gold awards, while wine at R160.00 and below, sparkling wine at R200.00 and below and Spirits at R320.00 and below will also be evaluated for value for money, and will be able to achieve a value award. Products that win both a gold for quality and value, will be awarded a Double Award.
The focus is primary on quality, but the value section is a valuable add-on.
The Awards
The following awards will be awarded:
- Gold Award
- Double Gold award
- Value Award for value
- Double award – For products achieving both Gold quality and value awards
Make a note in your diary
Timeline
Entries open: 15 April 2025 – Entries, R1095.00 excluding VAT each.
Early Bird entry final day: 4 July 2025 – Entry, R1375.00 excluding VAT after this date
Close of entries: 1 August 2025
Stickers will be available at R450.00 excluding VAT per 1000.
All the classes you can enter
Yes, there is a class For that
We aim to cater for both niche, and main stream classes.
For Wines
Focus on niche and overlooked classes:
- Organic Wines
- Alternative Wine Styles
- Niche cultivars – like Portuguese cultivars
- Old Vine wines
- Shiraz blends
For Spirits
- More rum and gin classes, like Sloe Gin
- Flavoured spirits of every kind
- Whiskies, brandy and Agave / Mezcal from any country or type.
Focus on Crowd Pleasers:
- Sauvignon blanc
- Chenin blanc
- Rosé / Blanc de Noir
- Red Blends
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Shiraz
Mead, Cider and Fruit wines:
- Non grape wines
- Honey wine (Mead)
- Apple wine (Cider)
Scenes from the 2024 event
Previous year's winners
Some of last year's winners
Previous year's winners
Some of last year's winners
All the classes you can enter
Classes for all wines and spirits
We aim to cater for both niche, and main stream classes.
Wine classes
White Wine Classes
1. Perlé or slightly Sparkling Wine(RS<=10g/L)
2. Perlé or slightly Sparkling Wine(RS>10g/L)
3. Sparkling Fruit Wine
4. Sparkling Mead (Sparkling Honey Wine)
5. Sparkling Flavoured White Wine
6. Sparkling Flavoured Red Wine
7. Sparkling Wine (Not Bottle Fermented)(RS<=15g/L)
8. Sparkling Wine (Not Bottle Fermented)(RS>15g/L)
9. Method Ancestrale
10. Sparkling Wine Bottle Fermented Zero Dossage
11. Sparkling Wine Bottle Fermented(RS<=15g/L)
12. Sparkling Wine Bottle Fermented(RS>15g/L)
13. Low Alcohol White Wine
14. Albarino
15. Bukettraube
16. Cape Riesling (Crouchen blanc)
17. Chardonnay Unwooded
18. Chardonnay Lightly Wooded
19. Chardonnay Wooded
20. Chenin blanc Unwooded
21. Chenin blanc Wooded
22. Clairette Blanche
23. Colombar(RS<=10g/L)
24. Colombar(RS>10g/L)
25. Grenache Blanc
26. Grüner Veltliner
27. Hanepoot
28. Marzanne
29. White Muscadel(RS<=10g/L)
30. White Muscadel(RS>10g/L)
31. Nouvelle
32. Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio)
33. Rousanne
34. Sauvignon blanc Unwooded
35. Sauvignon blanc Wooded
36. Semillon
37. Verdelho
38. Viognier
39. Weisser Riesling (Rhine Riesling)
40. Other Single White Non-Muscat Cultivar(RS<=10g/L)
41. Other Single White Muscat Cultivar(RS<=10g/L)
42. Other Single White Cultivar(RS>10g/L)
43. White Blend(RS<=10g/L)
44. White Blend(RS>10g/L)
45. White wine from a red cultivar
46. Skin-Contact White wine (Orange Wine)
47. Long barrel aged white (white/gris) – 2 or more years in barrel
48. Natural pale (Non – fortified flor aged)
49. Alternative White Wine
50. Sun Wine
51. Blanc de Noir and Rosé(RS<=10g/L)
52. Blanc de Noir and Rosé(RS>10g/L)
53. Flavoured White Wine Still
54. White Vermouth
96. Other Type of Wine
Sweet Wines
97. Natural Sweet Wine(RS>50g/L)
98. Late Harvest(RS>30g/L)
99. Special Late Harvest(RS>50g/L)
100. Noble Late Harvest/ Botrytis wine
101. Icewine
102. Straw Wine
103. Cape White Port
104. Cape Pink Port
105. Cape Ruby Port
106. Cape Tawny Port
107. Cape Vintage Port
108. Cape Late Bottled Vintage Port
109. Port Other
110. White Non-Muscat Jerepigo
111. Red Non-Muscat Jeripigo
112. Hanepoot Jeripigo
113. White Muscadel Jeripigo
114. Red Muscadel Jeripigo
115. Fino Sherry
116. Oloroso Sherry
117. Cream Sherry (Full Crème)
For Spirits
130. Absinthe White (Blanche)
131. Absinthe Green (Verte)
132. Absinthe – Other styles incl. Bohemian
133. Vodka/Eau de Vie unflavoured
134. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Apple Flavoured
135. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Berry Flavoured
136. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Citrus Flavoured
137. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Cucumber Flavoured
138. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Strawberry flavoured
139. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Other Fruit Flavoured
140. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Caramel Flavoured
141. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Chocolate Flavoured
142. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Coconut Flavoured
143. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Herb Flavoured
144. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Nut Flavoured
145. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Spice Flavoured
146. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Vanilla Flavoured
147. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Vegetable Flavoured
148. Vodka/Eau de Vie – Other Flavours
149. Gin – Dutch type /Jenever Young (Jonge)
150. Gin – Dutch type /Jenever Old (Oude)
151. Gin – Dutch type /Jenever (Korenwijn)
152. Gin – London Dry
153. Gin – Old Tom style
154. Gin – Plymouth style
155. Gin – Barrel Aged
156. Gin – Navy Style
157. Gin – Sloe Gin
158. Gin – New style
159. Gin – Flavoured
160. Gin Other
161. Agave Blanco – Un-aged
162. Agave Reposado – Aged 6 months
163. Agave Anejo – aged 12 months
164. Agave Anejo Extra – aged more than 24 months
165. Mezcal – Unaged
166. Mezcal – Aged 6 months
167. Mezcal – aged 12 months
168. Mezcal – aged >24 months
169. Tequila – Blanco – Unaged
170. Tequila – Resposato – Aged 6 months
171. Tequila – Anejo – Aged 12 months
172. Tequila – Extra Anejo – Aged > 24 months
173. Sotol
174. Witblits – Unaged brandy made from grapes
175. Brandy (from grapes) Non Vintage/ Age not Defined
176. Brandy (from grapes) 3-8 Years
177. Brandy (from grapes) 9-12 years
178. Brandy (from grapes) 13 or more years old
179. Cognac Non Vintage/ Age not Defined
180. Cognac 3-8 Years
181. Cognac 9-12 years
182. Cognac 13 or more years old
183. Brandy (from grapes) Buchu flavoured
184. Brandy (from grapes) Ginger flavoured
185. Brandy (from grapes) Honeybush flavoured
186. Brandy (from grapes) Other Flavour
187. Grappa / Husk brandy – unflavoured
188. Grappa / Husk Brandy – infused or flavoured
189. Brandy from Fruit – Apple – Unaged
190. Brandy from fruit – Apricot – Unaged
191. Brandy from fruit – Cherries – Unaged
192. Brandy from fruit – Citrus – Unaged
193. Brandy from fruit – Fig – Unaged
194. Brandy from fruit – Maroela – Unaged
195. Brandy from fruit – Peach – Unaged
196. Brandy from fruit – Pear – Unaged
197. Brandy from fruit – Plum – Unaged
198. Brandy from other Fruit – Unaged
199. Brandy from fruit – Flavoured
200. Brandy from Fruit Aged 3 years or less
201. Brandy from Fruit Aged 3 years or more
202. Brandy Other
203. Whisky Scottish Blended
204. Whisky Scottish Single grain
205. Whisky Scottish Single malt
206. Whiskey Irish Blended
207. Whiskey Irish Single Grain
208. Whiskey Irish Single Malt
209. Whiskey USA Bourbon
210. Whiskey USA Blended
211. Whiskey USA Single Grain
212. Whiskey USA Single Malt
213. Whiskies – Rest of World – Blended
214. Whiskies – Rest of World – Single Grain
215. Whiskies – Rest of World – Single Malt
216. Whiskies -Other
217. Rum – Unaged – not spiced or flavoured
218. Rum – Unaged Spiced
219. Rum – Unaged Flavoured
220. Rum Aged (0-3 years)
221. Rum Aged (3-9 years)
222. Rum Aged (10-14 years)
223. Rum Aged (15 years or older)
224. Rum Aged with Solera Method
225. Spirits Other
Liqueurs
226. Aniseed Liqueur
227. Cassis Liqueur
228. Citrus Liqueur
229. Chocolate Liqueur
230. Coconut Liqueur
231. Coffee Liqueur
232. Non-flavoured Cream Liqueur
233. Flavoured Cream Liqueur
234. Elderflower Liqueur
235. Ginger Liqueur
236. Peppermint Liqueur
237. Amarula type Liqueur
238. Herb Liqueur
239. Egg Liqueur
240. Fruit Liqueur
241. Herbal/Botanical/Spiced Liqueur
242. Nut Liqueur
243. Dairy/Cream Liqueurs
244. Honey Liqueur
245. Whiskey Liqueur
246. Brandy Liqueur
247. Other Liqueur
248. Any other product
Red Wine Classes
55. Low Alcohol Red Wine
56. Barbera
57. Cinsaut
58. Cabernet Franc
59. Cabernet Sauvignon
60. Carignan
61. Grenache Noir
62. Nebbiolo
63. Nero (Nero d’Avola)
64. Pinot Noir
65. Pinotage – Non-coffee style
66. Pinotage Coffee Style
67. Primitivo
68. Sangiovese
69. Malbec
70. Merlot
71. Mourvèdre
72. Nebbiolo
73. Petit Verdot
74. Petit Syrah (Durif)
75. Ruby Cabernet
76. Shiraz (Syrah)
77. Souzão
78. Tannat
79. Tempranillo
80. Tinta Barocca
81. Tinta Roriz
82. Touriga Nacional
83. Touriga Franca
84. Touriga Francesca
85. Other Red Cultivars
86. Bordeaux Styled Red Blend (May only contain the 5 Bdx cultivars)(RS<=10g/L)
87. Cape Blend (Must contain at least 30% Pinotage)(RS<=10g/L)
88. Rhône Style Blend(RS<=10g/L)
89. Shiraz Blend (must contain minimum 30% Shiraz)(RS<=10g/L)
90. Red and White Cultivar Blend(RS<=10g/L)
91. Other Red Blend(RS<=10g/L)
92. Alternative Red Wine
93. Flavoured Red Wine Still
94. Red Vermouth
95. Sweet Red(RS>10g/L)
96. Other Type of Wine
Wines that are not from grapes
3. Sparkling Fruit Wine
4. Sparkling Mead (Sparkling Honey Wine)
96. Other Type of Wine
118. Rice Wine Unflavoured
119. Rice Wine Flavoured
120. Fruit Wine Unfortified
121. Fruit Wine Unfortied and Flavoured
122. Fruit Wine fortified
123. Mead European/American Style
124. Mead African Style
125. Cider Normal
126. Cider – Perry
127. Cider – Wood Aged Cider
128. Cider – Ice Cider
129. Cider Flavoured
See how easy it is to register online, and get your entries ready.
General enquiries and administration
Sanet van Heerden (hello@vogueawards.com) or phone her on 084 446 0412.
Wondering about some detail?
FAQs-
All your questions answered
General FAQs
This event is now in its seventh year, and has been rebranded Vogue Wine and Spirits Awards, from the previous name, Merit Wine and Spirit Challenge. This event is a platform for free thinking generation of wine and spirit lovers to voice their opinion.
The goal is to showcase modern and new styles, while appreciating older styles that are still relevant.
This event is unique in the fact that is makes use of a hybrid system, evaluating the wines and spirits in terms of both quality, and value for money. The main focus is quality, and wine and spirits of entry price category can enter.
Wine and spirits will be awarded Gold and Double Gold awards, while wine at R180.00 and below, sparkling wine at R220.00 and below and Spirits at R320.00 and below will also be evaluated for value for money, and will be able to achieve a value award. Products that win both a gold for quality and value, will be awarded a Double Award.
The focus is primary on quality, the value section is a valuable add-on.
This vent uses an hybrid system to award both quality and value, but the primary focus is always quality.
The main standout of this event is the wide range of classes covered.
For wine:
Focus on niche and overlooked classes:
- Organic Wines
- Alternative Wine Styles
- Niche cultivars – like Portuguese cultivars
- Old Vine wines
- Shiraz blends
Focus on Crowd Pleasers:
- Sauvignon blanc
- Chenin blanc
- Rosé / Blanc de Noir
- Red Blends
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Shiraz
For Spirits:
More Spirit classes:
- More rum and gin classes, like Sloe Gin
- Flavoured spirits of every kind
- Whiskies, brandy and Mezcal from any country or type.
Mead, Cider and Fruit wines:
- Non grape wines
- Honey wine (Mead)
- Apple wine (Cider)
- An award shows that your product was evaluated and awarded by independent third-party sommeliers and wine and spirit experts, supporting your claims of superior quality.
- Awards are a symbol of quality to use in marketing – Artwork can be downloaded for free.
- You will receive an award certificate. If the same product is marketed under different brand names, you can receive extra certificates for those at no extra cost.
- An award will serve as content for social media and PR campaigns.
- An award will highlight the brand’s prestige and standing.
- An award could just give you that extra edge you needed, making a buying decision so much easier.
- Stickers will be available at a cost of R415.00 excluding VAT per 1000.
Wine and spirits will be awarded Gold and Double Gold awards, while wine at R180.00 and below, sparkling wine at R220.00 and below and Spirits at R320.00 and below will also be evaluated for value for money, and will be able to achieve a value award. Products that win both a gold for quality and value, will be awarded a Double Award.
Stickers may be purchased from the organisers and may not be printed by any other party.
There will be only one print run, and extra stickers will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Register online and thereby create an account.
- Read all about the entry process below and enter your products online.
- Make payment for your entries.
- Send your samples at the appropriate time for the judges to receive them in time.
- Judging process
- Results are released
- Registration and entries open – 15 April 2025
- Early bird close – 4 July 2025 (After this the regular entry fee applies)
- Final Close for entries – 1 August 2025
Delivery of samples to the venue outside Stellenbosch, South Africa – 11 and 12 August 2025 (Monday and Tuesday).
Results released 18 August 2025
Early bird entry fee – R1095.00 excluding VAT
Normal entry fee – R1375.00 excluding VAT
Registration FAQs
Products from across the world can enter, but only those sold in South Africa will be eligible for Value awards.
Every year, the details of companies change, or we need additional information. We, therefore, require all companies to register afresh every year. If you have registered for the year, please see the question below.
When you register, you receive an email with your username and password. Please search for this email, and if necessary look in your spam folder.
To avoid missing any emails, or correspondence, it is the responsibility of entrants to add the domain “vogueawards.com” to the safe sender’s list, to avoid missing any correspondence. In Outlook, go to the “Home” Tab, and in the “Delete” group, select the arrow next to “Junk”. Select “Junk Email Options”. In the “Junk Email Options” dialogue box, go to the “Safe Senders” tab. Select Add. Add the domain vogueawards.com and click “OK”. The domain will then appear on the safe sender’s list. Select “OK”.
If you cannot find your login details, please contact us.
Once entries have been completed, the entrant may print the invoice for the entry fees online, after logging into their account.
There are several ways to pay:
- Bank EFT
- Payfast online payment – Some credit cards, including Amex not accepted.
- USD and EUR invoices can also be generated on request, and paid via PayPal.
Once you have paid your entry fee, there are no follow-up fees unless you want to order stickers.
You are responsible for all costs associated with delivering the samples.
Entries that are not fully paid by the cut-off date may be disqualified.
Samples of disqualified products will not be judged or returned.
No refund of entry fees will be done once entries have closed. If the entry is withdrawn, or if the sample does not arrive in time, no refund will be given. It is the responsibility of the entrant to manage entries and delivery, to make sure the correct samples arrive on time, and only samples that have to be judged are entered.
Entering FAQs
To see the classes, please follow this link.
For certified wines:
For certified wines, one entry consist of a wine from a particular application number. The same wine with different application numbers will be considered as different wines.
An uncertified wine does not constitute a wine that will be certified at a later stage. Wine that will be certified in future, may not be entered, until it has an application number and has been provisionally certified after being tasted by the wine and spirits board.
Other products that will not be certified:
If the same product that is chemically, and taste-wise identical, come in different forms of packaging (for example glass and plastic refills) or in different sizes (250 ml, 500 ml etc.), they only have to be entered once in whichever size presented. We will provide additional personalised certificates to all the packaging sizes if necessary, but the certificate is normally made out to the product, and not the particular packaging format.
If the same product (that is chemically and flavour-wise identical), is available under different brand names, the product may only be entered once, and we will provide additional personalised certificates to all the brand names if the product is awarded.
The same product cannot be entered twice. The same product may not be entered by different parties or people.
- A product may only be entered into one category per year.
- Please include the flavour or any other distinguishing details of your products after the name of your product, to be able to identify every product afterwards.
- Products that are entered must be sensorially and chemically identical to commercial products they represent in every practical way.
- Companies may enter as many products as they want.
- You are welcome to choose your own category or contact us.
- The organisers may change the category of the product to a category more suitable for judging at its own discretion.
When you enter, you are asked to upload photos of the products that can later be used in social media to promote the winners. It is highly advised to upload an image to make use of the opportunity, but it is not compulsory.
The photo/graphic should have the following characteristics.
- Square image with product in the centre with a white or see-through background.
- The product featured should be the exact product entered.
- The photo must feature the product alone without any decoration, accompaniments, or text.
- Besides the product in its own packaging, the photo should not show any other company or product logos.
- Photos that do not adhere to these criteria might not be used.
- The image should measure 1080 x 1080 pixels or more.
There are several ways to pay:
- Bank EFT
- Walletdoc – All credit cards including Amex accepted (please email us for a link)
- Payfast online payment – Some credit cards, including Amex not accepted.
- Upon request, we can send you a EURO or USD invoice for payment via PayPal.
Once you have paid your entry fee, there are no follow-up fees unless you want to order stickers.
You are responsible for all costs associated with delivering the samples.
Entries that are not fully paid by the cut-off date may be disqualified.
Samples of disqualified products will not be judged or returned.
No refund of entry fees will be done once entries have closed. If the entry is withdrawn, or if the sample does not arrive in time, no refund will be given. It is the responsibility of the entrant to manage entries and delivery, to make sure the correct samples arrive on time, and only samples that have to be judged are entered.
- Registration and entries open – 15 April 2025
- Early bird close – 4 July 2025 (After this the regular entry fee applies)
- Final Close for entries – 1 August 2025
Delivery of samples to the venue outside Stellenbosch, South Africa – 11th and 12th August 2025 (Monday and Tuesday).
Results released 18 August 2025
Early bird entry fee – R1095.00 excluding VAT
Normal entry fee – R1375.00 excluding VAT
Sending Samples
DHL is our preferred logistics partner. You may use any courier you choose, but DHL is our preferred partner, especially for samples that come from overseas. They have intimate knowledge of local conditions, and when there are problems, we have a direct line of communication with them, whereas other couriers may not jump to the task. It is up to you.
When making use of DHL, please contact:
Marijke Douglas by email at Marijke.Douglas@dhl.com or phone her on +27 (0)21 872 4717 for more details.
Samples must be delivered between 09:00 and 16:00 on the 12th and 13th of August 2024 (Monday and Tuesday).
Participants may use any courier, but please ensure that samples are delivered to:
Vogue Wine and Spirits Awards
C/o Michelle Grimbeek
Vredenheim Wine Farm
Die Feestafel
R310 Baden Powell
Lynedoch
Stellenbosch
Map reference: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HdJf97bKodUxxgbP6
South Africa
The person receiving the samples:
Michelle Grimbeek
Email: michelle@ttpromotions.co.za
Tel: 082 773 0738
Directions:
After entering Vredenheim from the R310, continue with the road until you reach the T-junction, turn left, and then immediately right again. The entrance to Die Feestafel, should be right in front of you.
Samples must be delivered between 9:00 and 16:00 on the two days allocated.
For wine, you only need 3 x 750 ml bottles or the volumetric equivalent for samples.
For spirits and all other products, 2 x 750ml (or 700ml) samples, or the volumetric equivalent, are needed as samples.
Judging FAQs
We make use of the best sommeliers, Cape Wine Masters, and wine and spirits experts.
During judging, products are always evaluated double-blind, meaning that the tasters have no idea of who produced the products, or the name of the products, except the type of product evaluated, and the needs and expectations that the product is supposed to fulfil.
The judges each make up their own minds as to the quality of the product, without conferring with each other to reach a consensus. The judges’ score is not subject to their own taste, instead, they evaluate products from the viewpoint of consumers who loves products in that category.
Stickers and Awards FAQs
The award may only be used for the particular product that was entered, but if the exact same product (that is organoleptically and chemically identical) is marketed under a different brand name, the award may be used on that product as well. An additional award certificate will be granted at no extra cost to the other identical products. For wine, the award may only be used on wine with the particular application number that entered.
The stickers will be available approximately two weeks after the results have been confirmed.
The stickers will be available for collection at an address in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, for the account of the entrant. It is the responsibility of the entrant to arrange payment for the stickers, and arrange for the pick-up of the stickers.
- Stickers come in multiples of 1 000.
- Stickers are 25 mm in diameter. Double award stickers measure 25 x 47mm.
- The stickers are printed with bright, cold foil.
- The stickers come on rolls that have a 41 mm core diameter, and are wound leading edge left.
- Different core sizes, or winding techniques if needed, must be specified when the final sticker count is confirmed.
Stickers will be available to be used with winning products at R450.00 excluding VAT.
- There are no licensing costs, and the entrants are free to use the award artwork as they see fit for a period of three years.
- Stickers may only be printed by the Vogue Wine and Spirits Awards.
- Sticker and award artwork may be incorporated into the labels of products at no extra cost.
- Artwork may only be used in association with the product that won the award, for a period of three years.
- Award artwork may be used on the awarded producer’s website, or email signature to show that they won an award, but must be associated with the specific products that won the award.
- Award artwork may not be used in any way where it is implied that other products that did not win awards, won awards.
- If the product changes significantly chemically, or sensorially, the award cannot be used in association with the product anymore.
Miscellaneous FAQs
Products from countries outside South Africa are welcome to enter, and do not need any certification. Only products sold witin South Afria will be eligible for value awards though.
For spirits or other uncertified products, no WSR certificates are needed.
Only certified wine from South Africa need WSR certificates.
- Unlabelled samples must be representative of the final product, and must be in their final bottled state.
- Tank samples are not allowed.
- Unlabelled samples must have a sticker on the bottle with all the relevant entry details.
- Certified wines can be entered as long as the wine has a current tasting date and was approved by SAWIS.
The tasting procedure will be audited by a reputable auditing firm to ensure the judges are not influenced and the tasting is done blind and conforms to international standards.
An electronic certificate will be sent by email to the winners. If the same product is available under different product names, additional certificates can be requested at no extra cost.
Contact us
For general enquiries and administration:
Sanet van Heerden (hello@vogueawards.com) or phone her on 084 446 0412.
Contact form
General Rules
- Submission of samples and/or payment of entry fees constitutes acceptance of all the rules.
- Tank samples will not be accepted as entries into the event.
- All certified wines must be accompanied by a SAWIS (South African Wine Industry Information & Systems – www.sawis.co.za) application number, and the stickers awarded may only be applied to the wine attached to the application number. If a certain wine has more than one application number, the wines must be entered separately.
- Uncertified wines may be entered, as long as the award is only applied to the exact batch that won the award, or a batch that is chemically, and organoleptically identical.
- Each non-flavoured wine has to have a current WSR2 or WSR4 certificate showing that the wine was approved on the strength of taste and analysis by SAWIS, or a Department of Agriculture Wine-on-Line screen capture printout to show the wine has a current tasting date. This certificate must be current (i.e. the wine must have been tasted and approved by the board no more than one year before the first day of delivery in the case of a white wine and 18 months in the case of a red wine. A sample will not be accepted without this certificate. No refunds will be paid if the WSR2 or WSR4 certificate is not current.
- Each category will be determined by the product information on the label.
- There is no minimum quantity needed to enter a product.
- There is no limit to the number of entries per producer. However, each wine, flavoured wine or spirit may only be entered once into the event (even if it is under a different label), and any participant may enter more than one wine, flavoured wine or spirit in a class. Examples are wineries that produce several wines of the same varietal type, but with different vineyard designations or vintages.
- A wine that has not been certified as a cultivar wine, although it may be one, may be entered into a blended category.
- A product that received an award in a previous year’s event may be entered again.
- Entries and registration will be accepted online from the start of entries up to midnight on close of entries. Proof of payment must be emailed to hello@vogueawards.com before midnight on the closing date for entries to be accepted.
- Invoices for entries must be printed online by the participant, and paid before the final close of entries.
- Small categories may be put together at the discretion of the organisers if there are too few entries in certain categories.
- A wine sample must comprise three 750ml bottles, or the volumetric equivalent thereof, and a spirit sample must comprise two 750ml bottles, or the volumetric equivalent thereof.
- The samples must be delivered to the drop-off point between 9am and 4pm on the two days allocated to be accepted into the event.
- Winners will be notified by email, and stickers will be available for collection about two weeks later. Proof of payment for both the entries and stickers is needed before stickers can be collected. Stickers generally come in multiples of 1000 and 2000.
- Quantities of stickers ordered that are not multiples of 1000 will be rounded up and invoiced as such.
- By entering the event, the entrant commits to paying for the number of stickers indicated before the required deadline for the products that receive awards.
- The producer may only use the stickers awarded on the particular product that was entered and won the award. Stickers may not be put onto another batch of product similar to the one entered, that did not win an award in this year’s event. Participants may only market their winning products in conjunction with the year of the event the product won the award.
- The event logo or stickers may not be displayed on their own for purposes of marketing, but must be accompanied by the details of the particular product that won, or they may be photographed on the product that won the award.
- Any samples remaining at the conclusion of the judging become the property of the event.
- The judging process will be entirely confidential, and no details will be released concerning the judging process and reasoning. No feedback of any nature will be given.
- The decision of the judges is final, and no changes will be made to awards after the judging process is complete. In the event of a dispute, the event management’s decision will be final.
- No refund of entry fees will be made.
- By entering the event, the entrant states that the information provided is factually and legally correct.
- If a participant does not follow all the rules of the event or legal requirements as required by SAWIS, the event has the right to disqualify the particular entry concerned or the entire year’s entries, or ban the producer from the event.
- Tank Town Promotions (Pty) Ltd will not make a list available of all the producers that took part in the event, or reveal the scores assigned to any product, or make available the details of products that were not awarded. It remains the prerogative of Tank Town Promotions (Pty) Ltd to publish results of awarded products as they see fit.
- Entries will only be accepted in English.
- Entries must be completed in full, and entries that were not completed in full could be declared void.
- Employees of the event and their immediate family are not allowed to enter the event.
- If an entrant does not comply with the event rules, their entries may be cancelled.
- The producer whose product is entered must be fully aware of their submission, and must grant the person entering the event the right to enter the product and order stickers. If this is not found to be the case, the person entering the event will be liable for any financial commitment made.
- In the event that for any reason possible the judging of the wine cannot take place, or entrants cannot be given results, half of the entrants’ fees will be refunded. No other damages will be awarded by the event, or any of the companies involved.
- For any claim to be made against Tank Town Promotions (Pty) Ltd for defective stickers, the stickers must be returned to Postnet in Stellenbosch within 7 days after the date of delivery to Postnet. Tank Town Promotions (Pty) Ltd will within its discretion either replace or pass a credit for defective stickers so proven, but shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, or any other loss, including loss to third parties and legal expenses, arising out of errors in carrying out providing stickers, or by delay in delivery, or by unsuitability of goods for use intended.
- Event management cannot be held liable for any damage incurred to stickers once labels have been accepted by a client or by a third party transportation company.
- Event management may change the event rules without notice, and publish them on the website without giving notice to entrants. If an entrant does not want to comply with the new event rules, they can cancel their entries up to the date entries close. After this time, entrants have to comply with the event rules.