Wednesday, December 03, 2014

2015 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards lunch at Waterford, Stellenbosch

Waterford is one of our most beautiful wine estates with classical Italianate buildings. How special then to have lunch accompanied by great wine, in the central courtyard  under the shady trees on a perfect early summers day while the local awards were announced and certificates presented.  These  awards celebrate innovation and excellence throughout the 10 greatest wine regions in the world. The awards went to Waterkloof Wines (Restaurant), KWV (Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences), Babylonstoren (Accommodation and Architecture & Landscapes), Waterford Estate (Service and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices) and Cavalli Wine and Stud Farm (Art & Culture )
A warm welcome at the front door with some KWV MCC bubbly
Tables all set up under the trees
Some of the entrants wines were there to taste on the loggia. Here Claudia Young-Kelly presents Waterkloof wines
The two from Waterkloof for tasting
And Anelle van Tonder from Babylonstoren with their Shiraz
Media and guests start arriving
Fiona MacDonald back from her walk around the farm
The delicious lunch was served ‘family style” on each table and consisted of a good selection of salads, cold beef and chicken and much more
The Seared fillet of beef with Dijon dressing, Parmesan, rocket and tomatoes
A delicious oily Foccacia with great humus and olives
Griddled lemon chicken with herb sauce, pine nuts, blueberries, courgettes and artichokes
Heritage tomato salad with basil and mozzarella bocconcini
There was no shortage of helpful staff or food
Baby spinach butternut, lentil, feta and cashew nut brittle salad, topped with yoghurt dressing
Boules anyone? No, too busy eating and drinking and congratulating the award winners
The central fountain is the Waterford logo
More foccacia anyone?
André Morgenthal of Wines of South Africa welcomes us to the awards
The certificates, the awards and the prizes
Just a small one? Cellarmaster Kevin Arnold with André
It was a lovely day and a very relaxed event
The Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Alderman Neels De Bruyn, presenting the Judges Commendation Award certificate for outstanding services to the wine industry to Justin Munjanja of Cavalli
Kayla Mayman of Steenberg gets her Judges Commendation Award certificate
and Christa Olivier gets hers
Gabrieline Bailey of Babylonstoren gets her Judges Commendation Award for services to the wine industry
And the last certificate goes to Tendai Denhere
The wines we drank with lunch. Rather a lot of the Waterford 2006 Gem was enjoyed, it is really at its peak.  If you have any at home, open it for Christmas
Waterford’s team of charming young men. They often go on to greater things in the wine industry as they get a thorough grounding and training at Waterford
Terry de Waal of Babylonstoren receiving the trophy for Accommodation and Architecture & Landscapes
Chef Gregory Czarnecki of Waterkloof receiving the trophy for the best Restaurant
Cape Wine Master Dr Winnie Bowman enjoying the day
Kevin Arnold gave a very interesting address on Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices. Waterford was awarded the Trophy for Service and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
The Mayor thanking André Morgenthal of WOSA for his work and support on the Great Wine Capitals Global Network  with a small presentation
The local judges receive thanks
The finger dessert platter
US Consul General Teddy Taylor, Dorette de Klerk of Skål Winelands and Alderman Neels De Bruyn
The Arnold hounds added a lot of amusement to the day
I’m hot!  Damming up the Leiwater
The staff get to sit down at last and enjoy the day
Puppies at play
Roy Davies, GM of The Vineyard Hotel, also enjoyed the day
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014

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