Stellenbosch Reserve Hangbrug Chenin Blanc Wins 2026 Decanter Best in Show
The Stellenbosch Reserve Hangbrug Chenin Blanc 2025 has been named Best in Show at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, marking a significant international milestone for the Stellenbosch winery. The wine was the only South African entry to receive the competition’s highest accolade in 2026.
The selection process involved thousands of entries evaluated by international experts. The Hangbrug Chenin Blanc secured a score of 97 points. Judges highlighted the wine’s precise expression of the Chenin Blanc variety, noting its balance between fruit purity and oak integration. They specifically pointed to the wine’s freshness, brightness, and distinct Stellenbosch character as key factors in its performance.
Ignus Ferreira’s Path to Winemaking Success
Winemaker Ignus Ferreira led the production of the award-winning vintage after taking over at Stellenbosch Reserve in January 2023. Ferreira, who grew up in De Aar in the Northern Cape, first developed an interest in the industry during family holidays to Kleinmond. His father frequently explained the winemaking process while the family traveled through the Breedekloof region.
Ferreira pursued formal training in Viticulture and Oenology at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. His early career included an internship at Pulpit Rock in the Swartland and a viticulture role at Nuwerus in Riebeek West. He began working at Guardian Peak in 2019 as a harvest intern, where he received mentorship from Danielle le Roux. He later followed Le Roux to Rust en Vrede, where he worked under her and Coenie Snyman before his appointment at Stellenbosch Reserve.
Production Standards at Stellenbosch Reserve
Stellenbosch Reserve, established in 2005, sources grapes from various appellations across the Stellenbosch region. The winery focuses on hand-harvesting grapes early in the morning to maintain quality, transporting the fruit to the cellar in refrigerated trucks. White wines, including the Chenin Blanc, are fermented in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels at low temperatures.
Most white wines at the winery mature for six months in French oak barrels. The Hangbrug Chenin Blanc is matured in a mix of 300-litre and 500-litre French oak barrels with 25% new oak. The wine is named after the iconic footbridge over the Eerste River in Stellenbosch. This naming convention aligns with the winery’s strategy of linking its labels to local landmarks that represent the town’s heritage.
Details on the Decanter World Wine Awards
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Ignus Ferreira been with Stellenbosch Reserve?
Ferreira took over as winemaker at the winery in January 2023, overseeing the brand’s entire range of wines.
What was unique about the 2026 Decanter result for South Africa?
The Hangbrug Chenin Blanc 2025 was the only South African wine to be selected for a Best in Show award during the 2026 competition.
How does the winery handle its white wine maturation?
Most white wines at Stellenbosch Reserve mature for six months in French oak barrels. The Chenin Blanc specifically utilizes a combination of 300-litre and 500-litre barrels with a 25% new oak component.
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