Abrau-Durso Group won 11 gold medals at a competition in South Africa

Sparkling and still wines from the Abrau-Durso Group received high marks at the prestigious international Vitis Vinifera Awards 2025 competition, which took place in South Africa. Following blind tastings by a professional jury, Abrau-Durso and Vedernikov Winery samples won 11 gold and 8 silver awards.

The Vitis Vinifera Awards are held in Stellenbosch, South Africa's renowned wine region. The competition's mission is to promote high quality and diverse wines and spirits from around the world. Over the years, wineries from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and other countries have participated in the competition. The award's key feature is its strict blind tasting format conducted by independent experts: Masters of Wine, Cape Wine Masters, sommeliers, and recognized industry representatives. At the same time, the organizers ensure optimal tasting conditions: wines are served in a specific order to avoid taste bud fatigue and to give each sample the most objective assessment. This approach makes the Vitis Vinifera Awards one of the most prestigious competitions in the region.

Following the competition, the jury awarded special recognition to Abrau-Durso sparkling wines. Gold medals were awarded to Victor Dravigny Extra Brut 2021, Brut D’Or Riesling 2021, Brut d’Or Blanc de Blancs 2021, Imperial Vintage Brut 2021, and Abrau Durso Reserve Brut. Among the still wines of the Abrau-Durso Group, the white wine Abrau Estates, made from Chardonnay, Riesling, and Ugni Blanc varieties, was awarded a gold award.

Vedernikov Winery once again confirmed its high international level by receiving gold for five sparkling and still wines: Vedernikov Winery Reserve, Tsimlyansky Black-Siberian extra brut 2022, Vedernikov Winery. Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2024, Vedernikov Winery. Reserve. Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2020, as well as Vedernikov Winery Assemblage 2024 white wine and Vedernikov Winery. Reserve 2021 red vine.

The jury awarded silver medals to eight samples from the Abrau-Durso Group. The Chameleon gin's silver deserves special attention, demonstrating Abrau-Durso's successful experiments in the field of strong alcoholic beverages.

"11 gold medals at the Vitis Vinifera Awards in South Africa are further confirmation of the quality of the Abrau-Durso Group’ wines at the international level. We see the South African market as a strategic hub for expanding into the entire continent. Our achievements at this year's Vitis Vinifera Awards pave the way for long-term partnerships with local distributors and the promotion of our products in a region where there is a growing demand for high-quality sparkling wines. The achievements and high awards of Vedernikov Winery will help draw the attention of local audiences to our unique wines with their Russian character," commented on the competition results Pavel Titov, President of the Abrau-Durso Group.

The competition was judged by a distinguished jury, which included Cape Wine Masters and renowned industry experts such as Natalie van Rooyen, Lisette Tolken, Joseph Tongay Dhafana, Liesl van der Merwe, Liesl Richards, David March, Linda Ann Birch, Janine van Zyl and Lisha de Villiers, among others.

Official website of the competition: www.vitisawards.com

Additional information:

Abrau-Durso awards:

Victor Dravigny Extra Brut 2021 — gold medal,

Brut D'Or Riesling 2021 — gold medal,

Brut d'Or Blanc de Blancs 2021 — gold medal,

Imperial Vintage Brut 2021 — gold medal,

Abrau Durso Reserve Brut — gold medal,

Abrau Estates white 2024 — gold medal,

Victor Dravigny Brut 2023 — silver medal,

Abrau Durso Reserve Brut — silver medal,

Abrau Durso Tsar Collection semi-dry - silver medal,

Chameleon gin — silver medal,

Abrau Light pink — silver medal,

Abrau Durso Tsar Collection semi-sweet red - silver medal.

Vedernikov Winery awards:

Vedernikov Winery Reserve. Tsimlyansky Black-Siberian extra brut 2022 — gold medal,

Vedernikov Winery. Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2024 — gold medal,

Vedernikov Winery. Reserve. Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2020 — gold medal,

Vedernikov Winery. Assemblage white 2024 — gold medal,

Vedernikov Winery. Reserve red 2021 — gold medal,

Vedernikov Winery Reserve. Rkatsiteli 2023 — silver medal,

Vedernikov Winery. Hard sign - silver medal.