This year's glittering Veritas Awards dinner was held in the Ballroom at the Cape Town International Convention Centre
The organisers really pushed the boat out to make it a fantastic event
The event is a Black Tie occasion and a chance to wear our finery is great fun
It had been a very long time since we last wore the glad rags, before Covid
There are still a few who don't understand that it means evening wear...
Queuing to get a glass of bubbly
The social meeting place is the foyer and one has a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues
WOSA CEO Siobhan Thompson and her husband, Gary
A huge throng, waiting to see if they have won anything
Very good canapés were served, especially the large prawn tails
Lots of catching up
Gera de Wet of De Wetshof and Margaux Nel of Boplaas
Spier Estate Sommelier Georgio Meletiou and his wife Samarie
Blaauwklippen winemaker Nerina Cloete and Lynne
Neil Pendock and a friend
Buitenverwachting cellarmaster Brad Paton and Claire King
The doors open and it's time to find our table. Great attention to detail on the table settings
A band to play us in
Shadley our very attentive waiter, who looked after us very well
Some of the very good wines on our table
The menu
Bennie Howard Vice-Chairman of South African National Wine Show Association (SANWSA)
started the evening off with some of his usual witty sayings and a prayer written by the late Dave Hughes
Christo Pienaar, Chairman of South African National Wine Show Association (SANWSA), gave the opening address
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was dressed in a suit with a Springbok shirt
In some of our photographs the multicoloured lighting gave some very strange effects,
hence this monochrome photograph
Nadae, wife of Denzel Swarts, Sales & Brand Executive at Zoetendal Vineyard & Rive Estate
Her purple face is an unintended special effect!
Tokara winemaker Stuart Botha and his wife Gemma
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde enjoying the evening
Christo Pienaar with Elsabé Ferreira, who so ably organises the event,
about to present the Veritas Living Legends Awards 2023
"The tradition of annually honouring a handful of industry leaders was continued at this year’s 33rd Veritas Awards ceremony, known for many years as the Oscars of the Wine Industry, on Friday 13th October. This award, instituted by the Veritas Awards in 2009, serves as recognition for exemplary service to the industry over the years – acknowledging their commitment and paying homage to them for remarkable achievements"
Gary Baumgarten receives his Living Legend scroll from Christo Pienaar
The six 2023 Living Legends: Gary Baumgarten, Gert Boerssen, Johan Ehlers, Chris Roux, Jacques Roux, Johan Wiese
Time for the first course to be served, a fresh, crisp and zingy salad
with Beetroot cured smoked Franschhoek Trout, salmon mousse, heirloom tomatoes and good vegetables
As everyone around our table said, one of the best salads they had ever had
So well combined and so well flavoured
Two red wines to go with the main course
The Inheritance Merlot from Groote Post and Diesel Pinotage from Beyerskloof
Great entertainment from the Girl in the Bubble
playing her electronic cello, accompanied by bubbles filling the ballroom air
Our main course - beautifully tender lamb rump on a bed of peas and a root vegetable ragout,
Parmesan fondant potatoes, with a great rosemary jus and a lamb Pithivier
The Executive Chef at the Convention center is talented Roberto de Carvalho
This was one of the best meals we have had at the CTICC
Winemaker Anneke Steenkamp of Walker Bay Estate in Stanford with her medal,
another member of the great party at our table
Also at our table were Tokara Winemakers Mia du Plessis and Stuart Botha with their awards
Christo Pienaar and the team from KWV
Alan Winde with the team from Benguela Cove and Christo Pienaar
The chef Roberto de Carvalho with our smoking etagere of delicious desserts
Lots of choices, the Strawberry trifle was super
John's choice of a chocolate mousse cake and a mini cheese cake
And when dinner is over, the brandy table allowed one to taste this year's prize-winning entries
Some very special brandies were served
The perfect Nightcap, much enjoyed
Before the dancing began, we said good night and caught our Uber to go home
A really enjoyable evening of industry successes and congratulations
The complete list of wines that won Gold medals. You can find them in more detail here:
https://user-hpa96tt.cld.bz/VERITAS-2023
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