In a competition that attracted thousands of global entries, Hasher Family Wine stood out as the star of the 2025 London Wine Competition, proudly taking home medals for both Winery of the Year and Winery of the Year – South Africa.

At the heart of their success is the 2023 Ernest Pinot Noir, which earned an impressive 96 points and a Gold medal. Grown in the renowned Hemel-en-Aarde Valley—a cool-climate appellation in South Africa’s Western Cape—this Pinot Noir reflects the Hasher family’s commitment to quality, elegance, and a deep connection to their terroir.

The Ernest Pinot Noir is a vibrant, ruby-hued wine with a layered nose of wild strawberry, sour cherry, and hints of Earl Grey tea and native fynbos herbs. The palate is fresh and structured, offering a silky texture with bright acidity, pomegranate, and savoury undertones that lead into a gently grippy finish. It was matured in French oak barrels (27% new wood), first for three months, then returned for a further eight—striking a perfect balance between freshness and complexity.

But it’s not just about one wine. Hasher Family Wine is quickly gaining global recognition for its thoughtfully crafted cool-climate varietals—from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. Rooted in family values and a hands-on approach, the winery champions precision viticulture, minimal intervention, and respect for nature in every step of the process.

(From Left to Right: 2023 Ernest; 2023 Marimist; 2022 Cyriel; 2022 Batrachella)

This latest win and the medals that their standout offerings bagged at the London Wine Competition are noteworthy. Presenting the likes of 2023 Ernest (Gold Medal, 98 points; Pinot Noir of the Year, 98 points), 2023 Marimist (Gold Medal, 98 points; Wine of the Year South Africa, 98 points), 2022 Cyriel (Gold Medal, 97 Points), 2022 Batrachella (Silver medal, 93 points) and 2024 Nauticus (Silver Medal, 92 points) only confirms that not only Hasher Family Wine, but rather South Africa is a rising force in the world of fine wine, producing wines that resonate with both critics and consumers—balancing finesse, age-worthiness, and genuine sense of place.

London Wine Competition 2025

The 8th edition of the London Wine Competition also witnessed its most robust judging panel. Evaluating wines on the basis of three criteria that are of utmost importance to determine shelf appeal—quality, value, and packaging—this year’s judging panel featured over 70 leading professionals, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and senior trade buyers across hospitality, retail, and import sectors. Judges included:

• Claire Blackler MW, Tim Triptree MW, Susan Hulme MW, Eric Zwiebel MS
• Valeria Rodriguez, Head of Fine Wine at Bibendum
• Frances Bentley, Wine Buyer at LWC Drinks
• Joshua Castle, Group Head Buyer for Noble Rot

Other Medal-Winning Wineries Include

• Winery Of The Year France- SCEV Domaine du Château de Meursault
• Winery Of The Year Italy- Azienda Agricola Gini Sandro e Claudio Società Agricola Semplice 
• Winery Of The Year Greece- Anhydrous Winery
• Winery Of The Year Austria- Weingut Jakob Stierschneider - Kartäuserhof 
• Winery Of The Year Romania- Via Viticola 
• Winery Of The Year Portugal- Casa Santos Lima – Companhia das Vinhas SA

Explore the Winners

The full list of 2025 winners, including Gold, Silver, Bronze, and special category awards, is now live. View Results

Header image sourced from Hasher Family Wines.

Also Read:
International London Wine Competition 2025 Results Announced 
Isabel Estate’s Wild Barrique Takes Top Spot at London Wine Competition 2025