Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate has reinforced its position amongst South Africa’s elite wine producers, securing an exceptional haul in the prestigious Platter’s 2026 South African Wine Guide.
The coastal Walker Bay estate achieved two coveted five-star ratings and eight 4.5-star ratings, marking its fourth consecutive year receiving two or more five-star accolades – a record that underscores the estate’s unwavering commitment to quality and terroir expression.
Both five-star awards were granted to the estate’s Chardonnay programme, with the Vinography Chardonnay 2024 and Estate Chardonnay 2024 each receiving 95 points from Dr Winnie Bowman, demonstrating the variety’s exceptional expression across Benguela Cove’s meticulously farmed vineyard blocks.
Five-Star Achievements
Vinography Chardonnay 2024 | Five Stars | 95 Points
- Dr Bowman described this single-vineyard expression 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 in 50% new oak with regular lees stirring, delivering “complexity and creaminess to the lifted lemon curd finish.” Dr Bowman noted it as a “worthy successor to 2023”.
Estate Chardonnay 2024 | Five Stars | 95 Points
- Drawing from all Chardonnay blocks across the property, this wine presents “ripe orchard fruit and baked apple mingling with gentle spice and vanilla in a sumptuous mouthful.” The intricate winemaking approach – 50% hyper-oxidised, the balance treated reductively, with 35% new oak and 20% malolactic fermentation – creates remarkable textural complexity. Dr Bowman noted the wine’s “grapefruit lift that will allow ageing several years,” elevating it from the previous vintage’s 4.5-star rating.
Portfolio Depth: Eight 4.5-Star Ratings
The estate’s consistent quality extends throughout its range, with eight wines achieving 4.5 stars:
- 2023 Vinography Malbec | 94 Points – The highest-scoring red wine
- 2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc | 94 Points
- 2023 Catalina Semillon | 93 Points
- 2022 Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon | 93 Points
- 2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | 93 Points
- 2022 Estate Syrah | 93 Points
- 2023 Estate Collage | 93 Points
- 2024 Estate Pinot Noir | 92 Points
Terroir and Philosophy
Benguela Cove’s exceptional performance is rooted in its unique coastal position on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Walker Bay. 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 distinctive character and finesse.
“We are focused on creating site-specific wines that perfectly showcase the Walker Bay terroir,” says Cellar Master Johann Fourie. “The diversity of our slopes and our proximity to the ocean allows us to maximise the quality and distinctiveness of each varietal. This recognition from Platter’s validates our meticulous, terroir-driven approach.”
Owned by entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE, Benguela Cove combines world-class winemaking with sustainable viticultural practices and an acclaimed wine tourism offering, attracting discerning visitors from around the globe.
