The third annual Next Generation Awards, sponsored by iTOO and convened by Winemag.co.za, set out to identify South Africa's most promising winemakers aged 35 and under. The results of this wine competition were announced at an awards function on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at The Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town. Among the 27 hopeful entrants, Banele Vakele of Tembela Wines came out on top. His Syrah 2025 was rated Best Overall on 94 points, marking him as one of the most exciting young names in local wine right now. Richard Schroeder, winemaker at Groot Phesantekraal, was the runner-up. His winning wine, the Groot Phesantekraal Anna de Koning Chenin Blanc 2024, also scored an impressive 94 points. The rest of the lineup of top young winemakers are Leana Coetzee (Diemersdal), Mika Engelbrecht (then Neethlingshof, now at Cederberg Wines), Christiaan Nigrini (Welbedacht Wine Estate, Angus Paul (Staanspoor), Kiara Scott Farmer (Hazendal), Megan van der Merwe (Beau Constantia), and Handré Visagie (Koelenhof Wine Cellar). Click HERE to find out more and see which other wines made the top 10. Photos: Danie Nel Photography