Abrau-Durso Wines Claim the Highest Honours at Vitis Vinifera Awards 2026 in South Africa

Wines from the Abrau-Durso Group have captured the highest honours at the international Vitis Vinifera Awards 2026, held in South Africa. The crowning glory was the awarding of a Double Gold to the 2024 dry red “Dva x Dva”, created by two winemakers: Anton Katarkin (Yubileynaya Winery) and Gyulbala Zeidov (Vedernikov Winery). Gold medals were bestowed upon wines from Abrau-Durso’s most famous and consumer-beloved[1] sparkling collection – “Russian Sparkling” Brut and “Russian Sparkling” Semi-Dry. In total, the Abrau-Durso Group’s wines received 14 top awards at the Vitis Vinifera Awards: one Double Gold and thirteen Gold medals.

In September, in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s premier wine regions, the results of the 14th international Vitis Vinifera Awards were announced. The competition’s primary aim is to identify and honour the finest wines and spirits across all styles and price categories, as judged by an expert panel. Wines are assessed by a professional tasting panel comprising the country’s leading wine experts.

The 2024 “Dva x Dva” was the only Russian entrant to receive the highest title of Double Gold at the Vitis Vinifera Awards 2026. The wine’s concept revolves around the number two: two wineries, two winemakers, two grape varieties – the calling cards of their respective regions. The 2024 blend unites the flagship autochthon of Vedernikov Winery, “Krasnostop Zolotovsky”, with the promising Russian-bred variety “Dostoyny”. The bouquet of “Dva x Dva” is dominated by notes of aged Krasnostop – prune, cocktail cherry, thyme, liquorice, black pepper, chocolate, coffee. “Dostoyny” lightens the blend, adding its own details – against a backdrop of ripe red berries, floral notes and smoky nuances emerge. The palate is balanced, combining sloe-cherry accents and blackcurrant with light hints of smoke. A long, fruit-and-berry finish culminates in delicate spicy accents – a lingering echo of timeless vitality

A significant result was the Gold for “Russian Sparkling” Brut and “Russian Sparkling” Semi-Dry – among the most popular sparkling wines in the Abrau-Durso portfolio. Thus, the verdict of the professional jury at the international Vitis Vinifera Awards aligned with the choice of Russian consumers – wines from the “Russian Sparkling” collection by Abrau-Durso lead the category on the Russian market in both value and volume terms.

Gold medals were also awarded to still wines from Abrau-Durso and Vedernikov Winery: Abrau Estates Reserve Cabernet Franc 2023, Abrau Estates “Dostoyny” 2024, Femme d’Abrau dry red 2024, “Abrau Cuvee Dark” dry red 2024, aged dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Reserve. Cabernet Sauvignon” 2020, aged dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Reserve. Tsimlyansky Black” 2023, dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Krasnostop Zolotovsky” 2024, aged dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Tvyordy Znak” 2020. As well as Abrau-Durso sparkling wines: “Imperial” Vintage Brut 2021, Brut d’Or Blanc de Blancs 2022, Victor Dravigny Brut 2023, “Russian Sparkling” Brut, “Russian Sparkling” Semi-Dry.

 “The victory of the 2024 ‘Dva x Dva’ is an impressive success at the Vitis Vinifera Awards! For the first time, a blend of the Don autochthonous variety ‘Krasnostop Zolotovsky’ and the domestically bred variety ‘Dostoyny’ has been awarded the highest honour at a prestigious international competition – we consider this another important indicator of recognition for all domestic winemaking. The Gold medals received by the wines of GC ‘Abrau-Durso’ across various categories and styles, both still and sparkling, confirm the high level of quality of our portfolio as a whole, which is a strategic goal,” noted Elena Zaritskaya, General Director of PJSC Abrau-Durso.

The Vitis Vinifera Awards has been held in South Africa since 2013. In 2026, the competition took place for the 14th time. Wines and spirits are assessed blind by a professional panel comprising Masters of Wine, Cape Wine Masters, sommeliers and industry experts. Scores are awarded independently and confidentially, and tasting sets are arranged to minimise palate fatigue and the influence of previous samples on perception. The competition’s highest award is the Double Gold category.

Official competition website: www.vitisawards.com

Awards

Double Gold:

• aged dry red “Dva x Dva” 2024.

Gold:

• Abrau Estates Reserve Cabernet Franc 2023;
• Abrau Estates “Dostoyny” 2024;
• Femme d’Abrau dry red 2024;
• “Imperial” Vintage Brut 2021;
• Brut d’Or Blanc de Blancs 2022;
• Victor Dravigny Brut 2023;
• “Russian Sparkling” Brut 2025;
• “Russian Sparkling” Semi-Dry 2025;
• “Abrau Cuvee Dark” dry 2024;
• aged dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Reserve. Cabernet Sauvignon” 2020;
• aged dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Reserve. Tsimlyansky Black” 2023;
• dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Krasnostop Zolotovsky” 2024;
• aged dry red “Vedernikov Winery. Tvyordy Znak” 2020;
• Agdam Reserve White 2021 Sheki Wines.

[1] Based on Nielsen RMS data for the “Sparkling Wines” category for the 12 months ending December 2025, for the Russian retail market, valid as at 6 February 2026 (© Nielsen Data Factory LLC, 2026).