The young South African who produced the best wine in the world
Ignus Ferreira, winemaker at Stellenbosch Reserve, was behind the Hangbrug Chenin Blanc 2025, which was named Best in Show at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Despite only joining the winery in 2023, Ferreira managed to create one of the best wines in the world at the prestigious competition.
Ferreira was born and raised in De Aar in the Northern Cape to a family with no agricultural background. His interest in wine began during family holidays to Kleinmond.
While travelling through the Breedekloof wine region, his father would explain the winemaking process as they drove past vineyards.
These conversations sparked his interest in the industry and eventually led him to study Viticulture and Oenology at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
His practical experience began with a year-long internship at Pulpit Rock winery in the Swartland. He then gained experience in viticulture at Nuwerus in Riebeek West.
The experience helped shape his approach to winemaking, particularly his belief that good wine starts in the vineyard.
Ferreira began his career at Guardian Peak in 2019 as a harvest intern, where he worked alongside winemaker Danielle le Roux. She recognised his potential and became an important mentor during his early career.
When Le Roux moved to Rust en Vrede as head winemaker, Ferreira joined her there. He continued developing his skills across several vintages, with further guidance from Le Roux and Coenie Snyman.
In January 2023, Ferreira took over as winemaker at Stellenbosch Reserve, where he is responsible for producing the brand’s range of wines.
He has a particular interest in Syrah, a variety he has explored in both the vineyard and cellar. Outside winemaking, he enjoys living on the Stellenbosch Reserve property with his bull terrier, Spook.
Producing an internationally recognised wine
Ferreira’s work at Stellenbosch Reserve received international recognition in June 2026 when the winery’s Hangbrug Chenin Blanc 2025 won Best in Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Decanter’s awards assess thousands of wines through tastings by leading international experts. Best in Show is one of the competition’s highest accolades.
Hangbrug was the only South African wine selected for a Best in Show award in 2026. It scored 97 points, placing it among the highest-rated entries in the competition.
Judges praised its precise expression of Chenin Blanc, freshness and brightness, as well as its distinctive Stellenbosch character.
They also noted the balance between fruit purity and oak integration, which they said gives the wine texture and complexity.
Stellenbosch Reserve credited the award to the work of its vineyard and winemaking teams, with Ferreira leading the winemaking process.
With a history dating back 20 years, Stellenbosch Reserve is still a relatively new winemaker in the region.
The brand was established in 2005 by three friends who wanted to create wines that represented their hometown and its winemaking heritage.
Its first wine was a Bordeaux-style blend released in 2006. The range has since expanded to include individual varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Syrah and Cinsault.
The winery sources grapes from different appellations across Stellenbosch, working with established grape-growers to secure fruit with different characteristics.
The grapes are hand-harvested early in the morning and transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks.
Red wines are fermented in oak barrels and open-top stainless steel fermenters. White wines are fermented in oak barrels and stainless steel tanks at low temperatures to retain fresh fruit flavours.
Most of the white wines mature for six months in French oak barrels. The Chenin Blanc is matured in 300-litre and 500-litre French oak barrels, with 25% new oak.
The award-winning Hangbrug Chenin Blanc takes its name from the iconic footbridge over the Eerste River in Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch Reserve said the name reflects their approach of connecting their wines to landmarks and places that form part of the town’s identity.
Photos of Stellenbosch Reserve
