A new wave of progressive winemakers has emerged in SA and, since 2011, we’ve been showcasing these future stars at our annual Young Guns™ tastings. Each year, we scour the vineyards and unearth the producers who’ll be making tomorrow’s greatest wines.
Today, Young Guns™ is a highlight of the wine industry calendar.
What is a Young Gun?
A winemaker who pushes the boundaries, breaks the rules and creates cutting-edge wines with personality and energy.
Young Guns either work, or have worked, for notable estates but also produce unique wines under their own labels.
They are the winemakers who should be on your radar as they’re making some of the most daring wines in SA.
Past Events
June
2018
Young Guns™ At Heart
Featured winemakers: Pieter Walser of BLANKbottle, Niels Verburg of Luddite, Duncan Savage of Savage Wines, Adi Badenhorst of Badenhorst Family Wines, David Niewoudt of Cederberg and Beyers Truter of Beyerskloof.
June
2017
Young Guns™ Back to Basics
Featured winemakers: Callan Williams of Garajeest, Danie Carinus of Carinus Vineyards, Franco Lourens of Lourens Family Vineyards, Jessica Saurwein of Saurwein, Lukas van Loggerenberg of Van Loggerenberg Wines, Etienne Terblanche & Stephanie Wiid of Thistle & Weed and Paul Hoogwerf & Douglas Mylrea of Maanschijn.
June
2016
Young Guns™ Reloaded
Featured winemakers: Jacques and Reenen Borman of Boschkloof and Patatsfontein, Peter & Peter-Allan Finlayson of Bouchard Finlayson and Crystallum, Etienne & Christo Le Riche of Le Riche, Neil & Warren Ellis of Neil Ellis, Braam & David van Velden of Overgaauw and Danie Senior & Danie Junior Steytler of Kaapzicht.
June
2015
Young Guns™ V
Throwing out the textbook
Featured winemakers: Gavin Bruwer of B-Vintners, Mick & Jeanine Craven of Craven Wines, Lucinda Heyns of Eendevanger, Ryan Mostert of Terracura and Smiley, Tremayne Smith of The Blacksmith, Jasper Wickens of Swerwer and Thinus Krüger of FRAM.
July
2014
Young Guns™ IV
Wine legends in the making
Featured winemakers: Johan Meyer of JH Meyer Signature Wines, Marelise Jansen van Rensburg of Momento Wines, Jacques de Klerk of Reverie Wines, John Seccombe of Thorne & Daughters, Mick & Jeanine Craven of Craven Wines, Francois Haasbroek of Blackwater Wine and Jasper Wickens of Swerwer.
June
2013
Young Guns™ III
Featured winemakers: Chris Alheit of Alheit Vineyards, Marelise Jansen van Rensburg of Momento Wines, David Sadie of David & Nadia Wines, Johan Meyer of JH Meyer Signature Wines, Jurgen Gouws of Intellego, Craig Hawkins of Testalonga Wines, Donovan Rall of Rall Wines and Peter-Allan Finlayson of Crystallum Wines.
June
2012
Young Guns™ II
Featured winemakers: Nadia Barnard of Waterkloof, David & Nadia Sadie of David & Nadia Wines, Chris & Suzanne Alheit of Alheit Vineyards, Craig Hawkins of Testalonga Wines and Jurgen Gouws of Intellego.
June
2011
Young Guns™ I
Featured winemakers: Bryan MacRobert of Tobias & Bryan MacRobert Wines, Howard Booysen of Howard Booysen Wines, Craig Sheard of Elemental Bob, Jurgen Gouws of Intellego and Craig Hawkins of Testalonga Wines.
