Celebrations & Events

HAZENDAL RETURNS TO CHELSEA

Hazendal Wine Estate returned to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 in support of South African landscape artist and botanist Leon Kluge, whose acclaimed exhibition, Life After Fire, was awarded both Gold Medal and Best in Show. The achievement celebrates South African creativity, botanical excellence, and a shared commitment to showcasing the beauty and resilience of the natural world on a global stage.

HAZENDAL RETURNS TO CHELSEA WITH LEON KLUGE AS SOUTH AFRICA CLAIMS GOLD AT RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2026

Hazendal Wine Estate marked its return to the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show as a proud supporter of South African landscape artist and botanist Leon Kluge, whose exhibition Life After Fire was awarded both Gold Medal and Best in Show at this year’s prestigious event in London.

Inspired by the regenerative rhythms of the Cape Floristic Region,Life After Fire offered an evocative meditation on resilience, transformation and renewal. The installation brought together more than 20,000 stems of South African flora, sculptural forms of charred Protea branches, and a flowing streams cape that gave life to delicate post-fire species including Disa orchids, ferns and carnivorous plants.

“A large part of the display showcased the diversity of bulbs, orchids and wildflowers which emerge after the fire has swept through the landscape,” said Leon. “Burnt Protea branches are woven into a whirlwind mass which serves as a backdrop to the colourful regeneration in the foreground. A stream of tannin-rich water flows out of the mass of burnt material and gives life to stream side plants such as Dis a orchids, carnivorous plants and the green shoots of ferns.”

The award marks another milestone in Leon’s internationally celebrated body of work, following consecutive Chelsea Gold Medals and further affirming South Africa’s botanical excellence on one of the world’s most esteemed horticultural stages.

As part of Hazendal’s presence at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Estate presented the inaugural vintage by cellarmaster Kiara Scott Farmer during an intimate tasting hosted at the exhibition. The presentation introduced two distinct collections that speak to the Estate’s evolving expression of terroir.

The Estate Collection features a Chenin Blanc, a White Blend of Roussanne and Marsanne, a Pinotage and a Carignan, each a considered reflection of place and craft.The Bottelary Hills collection offers a poised selection of Pinot Noir Rosé, SauvignonBlanc and Syrah, shaped by the character and quiet complexity of the Stellenbosch slopes.

The celebrations continued with an intimate dinner hosted at The Roof Gardens, where guests gathered above the London skyline to honour South Africa’s achievement at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The evening brought together collaborators, creatives and cultural leaders in celebration of botanical artistry and thoughtful winemaking.

The dinner reflected Hazendal’s enduring commitment to cultivating meaningful cultural conversations through moments of considered hospitality. In raising a glass to this year’s triumph, the Estate celebrated not only a remarkable floral installation, but a shared vision of South African creativity presented with confidence on the global stage.

Hazendal’s continued partnership with Leon Kluge reflects the Estate’s belief in supporting creative practices that honour the relationship between nature, place and cultural expression. Through initiatives such as RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Hazendal continues to champion conversations that connect environmental stewardship with artistic excellence.

At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared understanding that beauty is not simply observed but thoughtfully cultivated. Through wine, landscape and dialogue, Hazendal remains committed to shaping experiences that contribute to a hopeful future.

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HAZENDAL RETURNS TO CHELSEA

HAZENDAL RETURNS TO CHELSEA WITH LEON KLUGE AS SOUTH AFRICA CLAIMS GOLD AT RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2026