Plettenberg Bay is celebrating a historic win! Newstead Wines' Methode Cap Classique (MCC) Rosé 2018 just secured a rare Platinum award and 96 points at the prestigious Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards 2025.

This triumph places the boutique 11-hectare vineyard firmly among South Africa's elite. Newstead’s MCC Rosé was one of only 24 entries out of more than 1,330 to achieve this highly coveted status.

Newstead has been a beacon of excellence on the emerging Plett Wine Route since planting its first vines in 2008. The estate is quickly earning international acclaim and moving past its former status as the “best kept secret.” The award-winning 2018 vintage MCC Rosé was praised for its "luminant, elegant, and silky" character with "delicious raspberry flavours" and hints of red berries. This proves that Plett’s cool-climate terroir is perfect for making world-class sparkling wine.

This Platinum award is the latest in a string of recent successes that solidify Newstead's position at the top of Cap Classique production. They were already crowned the Best Cap Classique Producer of 2024 at the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge. In that same competition this year, they also won Gold for their Newstead Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc 2018. Their consistent quality proves that the Plett Wine Route, though small, is a serious contender.

This is a proud moment for Plett and the entire wine route, showing the region can compete with South Africa's most established producers. We invite all wine lovers to visit Newstead Wines and taste this excellence for yourselves. 

This Platinum-scoring bubbly is a triumph for the whole Plettenberg Bay community, highlighting our region's dedication to quality.

So let's raise a glass to Plett's success!

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