A first look at the planned 2027–2030 Platter’s Guide collection sets the scene for a different kind of launch at Diemersdal Wine Estate, with top wine honours and further announcements to come on 19 November 2026. 

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA | 26 OCTOBER 2026 

This year, the Platter’s story begins before launch day. Platter’s South African Wine Guide is offering a first look at a planned four-edition collector’s series spanning 2027 to 2030 – introducing a new way to experience, collect and celebrate the annual wine guide. 

In a departure from its traditional launch format, Platter’s is sharing the collection’s planned visual direction ahead of the event, rather than keeping the new guide’s cover under wraps until the day. The 2027 edition, The New Vine Edition, opens this coordinated four-year journey – a first for Platter’s. 

But the preview is only the beginning. At Diemersdal Wine Estate in Durbanville on Thursday, 19 November 2026, the official launch of the 2027 guide will bring further, previously unannounced developments into the spotlight, alongside the country’s Five-Star wines, Wines of the Year and leading winery award recipients. 

Concept preview of the planned 2027–2030 collection. Each edition will be published separately. 

The New Vine Edition introduces a refreshed presentation inspired by renewal and growth. It is the opening volume in a planned sequence of four annual guides, each with its own identity while forming part of a connected collection. 

For readers, it is an invitation to start collecting from the beginning. For producers, retailers and the hospitality trade, it creates a new way to introduce customers to Platter’s and keep them engaged with South African wine, year after year. The books will be published as separate annual editions from 2027 to 2030; the complete four-book set is not being released this November. 

The 19 November gathering will not follow the familiar cover-unveiling format. Alongside the awards, guests will hear further news about the guide and new forms of recognition for producers whose wines have achieved outstanding ratings. Details of these developments are being held for the event. 

For invited wine, food, hospitality and industry media, it is an opportunity to hear these announcements first-hand and report on what comes next for Platter’s, as well as the wines and people earning the highest honours. 

At the heart of the occasion remains the culmination of the guide’s annual assessment process. The Five-Star ratings, Wines of the Year and winery awards recognise quality, craftsmanship and consistency across established producers and emerging talent. 

For producers, these distinctions are a significant moment of recognition. For consumers and the trade, they offer guidance on the wines and wineries to discover in the year ahead. 

“Platter’s represents the remarkable depth, diversity and talent of South African wine. Every edition honours the dedication of the people behind the wines and gives us an opportunity to recognise excellence across the industry,” says Alicia Potgieter, Platter’s. 

Diemersdal Wine Estate, named Winery of the Year in the 2026 Platter’s guide and awarded six Five-Star ratings across red and white wines, provides the setting for this year’s gathering. Winemakers, winery owners, critics, sommeliers, restaurateurs, hospitality professionals and media will come together to celebrate achievement, exchange ideas and strengthen industry relationships.

First published in 1980, Platter’s has documented the evolution of South African wine for more than four decades. The 2027 edition continues that role through wine assessments, producer profiles and information on wine regions and cellar-door experiences. 

For wine lovers, it is a practical companion when choosing a bottle, discovering a producer or planning a winelands visit. For sommeliers, wine merchants and hospitality teams, it remains a reference to South Africa’s diverse wine offering. The new collection adds a reason to keep each edition and follow the story as it develops. 

With the festive season approaching, the 2027 guide offers a thoughtful gift for wine enthusiasts, clients and friends – and the starting point for a collection to build over the next four years. Pre-orders for the 2027 edition are available at www.wineonaplatter.com. 

Categories: Accommodation, News, Platter’s 5-Star TastingTags: Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Media Release, Platter 5-star wines, Platter's Wine Guide, Platter’s Guide, Wine