Thursday, October 18, 2018

A birthday party for two wine industry veterans, Allan Mullins and Peter Finlayson

These two large and much loved wine personalities are celebrating their 70th birthdays this month and we were delighted to be invited to join them both to celebrate. Allan Mullins, CWM and Wine Selector for Woolworths, turned 70 on Tuesday this week and Peter Finlayson of Bouchard Finlayson will do so next week on the 24th. The party was held at Bouchard Finlayson wine estate in the Hemel en Aarde Valley last Sunday and was so much fun
The party was held inside in the beautifully decorated function room (there was a South Easter blowing) and later we sat and ate at tables on the terrace of the tasting room
Chef Stefan Otto was in charge of braaiing the very fresh and well seasoned yellowtail
The rest of the food was brought by the guests and we had a lovely selection of salads and some canapés. Lynne made a classic from the original recipe by Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume; Coronation Chicken, which was first served in 1953 at Queen Elizabeth's coronation
There were hot Greek pies and macaroni and cheese, garlic bread, a Thai salad with waterblom, caprese salads and much, much more. Hilton Kuck produced superb chocolate mousse cakes for dessert
Quite a few winemaker friends of both, like Neil Ellis, Etienne le Riche, Peter and Ann Ferreira had come to join the party as had many other people in the wine industry
Fun speeches were made, lots of toasts and a reminder by Dr John Grant that when Allan first had his accident at 23 he was not expected to live to 30! So for him to get to 70 is huge. He intends to keep going, he says
Some of the guests, listening to the speeches and looking at the groaning table
and Lynne Sherriff MW travelled from London for the celebration
Here she is with Allan's wife Therese and Allan. We are not sure why she is wearing Dirndl but she looks great and was the life and soul of the party

Peter Finlayson, with his wife Geta, was also having a great time with the mutual gang. It was a very special party

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