The annual release of the Platter’s South African Wine Guide, the country’s most trusted and independent benchmark of wine quality, remains one of the most anticipated moments on the South African wine calendar.
Fairview has a long and proud history of success in the guide, and Charles Back and the Fairview team eagerly anticipate these annual ratings. This year’s results brought exceptional cause for celebration. Fairview was honoured with a pinnacle Wine of the Year title, alongside six 5-Star and ten 4.5-Star ratings.
Now in its 46th year, Platter’s evaluated more than 8,000 wines from over 900 producers for its 2026 edition. In this guide, 316 wines, brandies and husk spirits earned the prestigious 5-Star rating, equivalent to a score of 95 points or higher on the international 100-point scale. Among these, the highest-scoring wines within each category receive the coveted Wine of the Year accolade.
Fairview’s six 5-star wines and Wine of the Year
La Beryl Blanc 2024 – Wine of the Year (Straw Wine category)
Fairview OVP Steen 2024
Cyril Back 2022
Lanner Hill Syrah 2022
Beacon Shiraz 2022
Caldera 2023
La Beryl Blanc 2024: Wine of the Year – Straw Wine category
This is a particularly proud moment for Charles Back.
“La Beryl Blanc is named after my late mother, Beryl Back, a woman whose influence at Fairview still runs deep. For her wine to be singled out as Wine of the Year in its category is something truly special. A beautifully made straw wine, and a fitting tribute.”
Fairview’s award-winning wines are the result of decades of dedication. Work in the soil, in the cellar, and across the Cape’s most expressive vineyards. They also embody the Fairview story. A generational estate rooted in heritage, driven by innovation, and unafraid to pursue excellence. From the slopes of Paarl Mountain to the cool Darling Hills, the rugged Swartland, and the high-altitude sites of Piekenierskloof, Fairview’s 5-Star wines showcase nearly every region they farm. Few wineries can claim that their top-rated wines map the Cape with such breadth and character.
Fairview’s 4.5-star achievers
Ten of Fairview’s wines were awarded 4.5 Stars, just a heartbeat away from the coveted 5-Star rating.
Grenache Blanc 2024
Petite Sirah 2022
Beryl Back 2024
Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2022
Primo Pinotage 2023
Stok by Paaltjie Grenache Noir 2023
Altesse 2024
Charles Back Fairview Brut 2022
Extraño 2022
Homtini 2022
Purchase Fairview’s available Platter Guide 2026 Achievers at the cellar door or online at
https://fairviewmarketplace.co.za/category/platter-guide-2026
“Fifty years after bottling our first wines under the Fairview label, it’s deeply gratifying to see our work recognised across so many styles, regions, and philosophies. From Rhône-style reds to Cape Chenin, from heritage blocks to modern Mediterranean blends, we remain committed to crafting wines that express place, purpose, and personality.
“This is a proud moment for our entire team, from the vineyard teams who know each block like family, to our cellar team under Anthony de Jager and Annette van Zyl, whose dedication, curiosity, and precision continue to raise the Fairview flag higher each year. My heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks to you all. Here’s to another year of exceptional winemaking, and to everyone who shares a Fairview bottle at their table.”
— Charles Back
Visit the much-loved Fairview estate for a world-class experience
Perched on the slopes of the Paarl Mountain, offering ever-growing visitor experiences and sweeping vistas over vineyards and fields all the way to Table Mountain, Fairview remains one of the most popular destinations in the Cape Winelands.
Internationally celebrated for its wine, cheese and tourism, Fairview is a working farm home to a collection of micro-businesses, all united by a passion for artisanal, sustainable produce, from fine wines and cheeses to baked goods and plant-based delights.
Make your way to the Fairview Tasting Room for specially curated wine and cheese experiences, available seven days a week, 363 days a year, closed only on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Do not miss the Deli, stocked with an ever-changing selection of homemade local products and sustainably farmed foods.
Round off your visit with lunch at the Goatshed, a country-style eatery where fresh, homegrown ingredients take centre stage. And do not forget to say hello to Fairview’s furry mascots at the Goat Tower.
Fairview Wine and Cheese
Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Suider-Paarl, 7646
Tel: 021 863 2450
Email: info@fairview.co.za