Benguela Cove Achieves Double Barrel Five-Star Recognition in Platter's 2026

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate has once again demonstrated its position amongst South Africa's premier wine producers, securing an exceptional haul in the prestigious Platter's 2026 South African Wine Guide. Our unwavering commitment to cool-climate viticulture and the distinctive character of the Walker Bay terroir has yielded remarkable results: two coveted five-star ratings and an impressive eight wines achieving 4.5 stars.

This outstanding performance marks Benguela Cove's fourth consecutive year receiving two or more five-star accolades in the annual Platter's Guide - a testament to the consistent, uncompromising quality that defines every vintage from our coastal estate.

The Platter's Standard of Excellence

The 46th edition of the Platter's by Diners Club South Africa Wine Guide, unveiled in Swartland on 19 November 2025, represents the definitive assessment of South African wine. Each year, this authoritative publication profiles and evaluates up to 8,000 wines, serving as the industry's most trusted benchmark. The guide captures the remarkable evolution of South African winemaking: its growing refinement, expanding stylistic diversity, and the relentless pursuit of quality that characterises the nation's most accomplished producers.

For Benguela Cove, this year's recognition holds particular significance. Both of our Chardonnays received top honours, demonstrating the exceptional expression of this noble variety across our meticulously farmed vineyard blocks.

Our Platter's Five-Star Champions

All wines were expertly assessed by Dr Winnie Bowman, whose detailed tasting notes illuminate the craftsmanship behind each bottle.

Vinography Chardonnay 2024 | Five Stars | 95 Points

This single-vineyard expression represents the pinnacle of our Chardonnay programme. Dr Bowman describes the 2024 vintage as "beautifully elegant, with aromas and flavours of nectarine, melon, lemon peel and baked apple pie." The wine undergoes barrel fermentation followed by 10 months of maturation - 50% in new oak - with regular lees stirring that imparts remarkable complexity and a luxurious, creamy texture. The finish delivers a lifted lemon curd character that speaks to both precision and finesse. Dr Bowman notes it as a "worthy successor to 2023," confirming the wine's consistent world-class standard.

The Vinography bottling is crafted exclusively in 500-litre casks, allowing for gentle, nuanced oak integration that never overwhelms the purity of fruit and expression of place.

Estate Chardonnay 2024 | Five Stars | 95 Points

Where Vinography showcases a single site, our Estate Chardonnay celebrates the breadth of our holdings, drawing fruit from all Chardonnay blocks across the property. The result is a wine of sumptuous depth and complexity. Dr Bowman's notes describe "ripe orchard fruit and baked apple mingling with gentle spice and vanilla in a sumptuous mouthful." The finish is both satisfying and enduring, with a grapefruit lift that promises excellent ageing potential over several years.

The winemaking is intricate and considered: 50% of the fruit is hyper-oxidised whilst the balance receives reductive treatment, creating remarkable textural complexity. Maturation takes place over 11 months in 35% new oak, with 20% of the wine undergoing malolactic fermentation. This meticulous approach elevates the 2024 above its predecessor, which achieved 4.5 stars and 93 points in the previous guide.

Depth Across the Portfolio: Our 4.5-Star Collection

The eight wines awarded 4.5 stars underscore the exceptional quality that extends throughout our entire range, from distinctive single-variety bottlings to masterfully composed blends:

2023 Catalina Semillon | 93 Points

A rare and distinguished expression of this underappreciated variety, showcasing the textural complexity and ageing potential that Semillon achieves in our coastal climate.

2023 Vinography Malbec | 94 Points

Our highest-scoring red wine, this Malbec demonstrates the variety's remarkable affinity for our terroir, delivering concentration, elegance and distinctive Walker Bay character.

2022 Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon | 93 Points

Classic Cabernet structure married with our signature coastal freshness, offering both immediate appeal and long-term cellaring potential.

2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc | 94 Points

Crisp, vibrant and impeccably balanced, this Sauvignon Blanc captures the essence of our cool-climate viticulture with precision and verve.

2024 Estate Pinot Noir | 92 Points

Delicate yet profound, our Pinot Noir reflects the careful site selection and gentle winemaking that this demanding variety requires.

2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | 93 Points

Demonstrating the consistency of our Cabernet programme, this estate-level bottling rivals many producers' flagship releases.

2022 Estate Syrah | 93 Points

Cool-climate Syrah at its finest: peppery, savoury and structured, with the elegance that defines Walker Bay's finest examples.

2023 Estate Collage | 93 Points

Our signature red blend, Collage represents the art of assemblage, harmonising multiple varieties into a seamless, compelling whole.

Terroir, Sustainability and Global Recognition

Benguela Cove's exceptional performance begins in the vineyard, where our unique position on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean creates one of South Africa's most distinctive wine-growing environments. Owned by entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE, the estate benefits from cool maritime influences, diverse slopes, varied soil compositions and exposure to prevailing ocean winds - elements that combine to produce wines of uncommon character and finesse.

Cellar Master Johann Fourie articulates our philosophy succinctly: "We are focused on creating site-specific wines that perfectly showcase the Walker Bay terroir. The diversity of our slopes and our proximity to the ocean allows us to maximise the quality and distinctiveness of each varietal."

He continues by crediting Benguela Cove’s entrepreneurial owner Penny Streeter OBE and her family with: "Giving the wine team free rein to create wines of distinction; this has allowed us, the fruit and the estate to stand out.’’

This meticulous, terroir-driven approach extends to our commitment to environmental stewardship. Sustainable viticultural practices ensure that our unique coastal landscape will continue to produce exceptional wines for generations to come, whilst protecting the pristine natural environment that makes our location so extraordinary.

These accolades from Platter's 2026 further cement Benguela Cove's standing as both a world-class wine producer and a premier destination for discerning wine tourism. Visitors to our estate experience not only award-winning wines but also the dramatic beauty of the Walker Bay coastline, outstanding cuisine, and warm South African hospitality.

Experience Excellence

We invite you to discover the wines that have captivated South Africa's most respected critics. Each bottle represents our unwavering dedication to quality, our respect for terroir, and our commitment to sustainable winemaking practices that honour both the land and the legacy we are building.

UNCORK OUR CURATED SUBSCRIPTIONS

Explore our complete collection of award-winning wines and experience the taste of coastal excellence.