There are some achievements that deserve to be celebrated well beyond the cellar door. This is certainly one of them.

Greyton’s own Lismore Estate Vineyards has been named Tim Atkin MW’s 2026 Winery of the Year – and, significantly, is the first-ever recipient of this new award. Atkin’s annual South Africa Special Report is one of the most closely followed assessments of South African wine. His 2026 report covered an extraordinary 1,831 wines from more than 350 wineries, with 248 wines receiving scores of 95 points or higher. Against that calibre of competition, Lismore’s recognition is an exceptional achievement.

But for Greyton, there is something particularly special about this award.

When Californian-born winemaker Samantha O’Keefe planted vines here in the early 2000s, Greyton was hardly an obvious choice for someone setting out to produce internationally respected fine wine. Samantha saw something different. The cool climate, altitude, dramatic shifts between daytime and nighttime temperatures and varied soils offered possibilities that had yet to be fully explored. Lismore went on to pioneer Greyton’s Wine of Origin designation, while its Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah helped introduce this little corner of the Overberg to wine lovers around the world.

The achievement is made even more remarkable by what came before it. In 2019, a devastating fire swept through Lismore, destroying Samantha’s home and cellar and damaging large areas of vineyard. Faced with the question of whether to rebuild at all, she chose to continue. That determination is part of what makes this latest accolade so meaningful. As the 2026 report recognises, Samantha did more than establish a successful winery: she helped establish a wine region.

For those of us who call Greyton home, that is something worth raising a glass to. Lismore’s success belongs first and foremost to Samantha and the team who have built and rebuilt it – but it also places Greyton proudly on the international wine map.

Congratulations to Samantha and the entire Lismore team. A remarkable achievement, and a very proud moment for Greyton.