The venue for the 2024 Awards was Glen Carlou estate near Paarl on the road to Franschhoek
Canapés and bubbly were served in the Art Gallery which gave us all a chance to admire the art and chat to friends
Melba toast squares with roasted peppers
There was also a canapé of local smoked trout that was absolutely delicious,
oh so crispy pork belly and glasses of warm pea soup
All good, all unique and well done
Head Judge and originator of the competition Michael Fridjhon welcomed us and got things going
All the trophies were on display
Georgie Alexander, Investec High Net Worth International Leader,
spoke about Investec's involvement and presented the trophies for the Trophy wines
She explained how she did understand the wine industry as she is married to it;
her husband has an important position in it, but they keep their business lives very separate
The world is at last recognising the value of South African wine
She quoted Jim Harrison: "“The simple act of opening a bottle of wine has brought more happiness to the human race
than all the collective governments in the history of earth”
Her message to the winemakers who had been invited was "Enjoy the day, you richly deserve it"
Her colleague Liane le Roux, Banking Team Leader, presented the gold medals
The Gold Medal winners
Back Row L to R:
Brad Paton (Buitenverwachting), Annemi Nel (De Krans Tritonia Calitzdorp Blend 2022, Jean Nel (Cederberg Shiraz 2020), Neil Bruwer (Chamonix Premier White Reserve 2022), Hagen Viljoen (Zevenwacht Z Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2023), Pieter Carstens (Leeuwenkuil Heritage Chenin Blanc 2020), Philip Viljoen (Bon Courage Inkará Cabernet Sauvignon 2019), Ewen Wilson (Lothian of Elgin Chardonnay 2021)
Front Row L to R:
Johnny Calitz (Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2023), Kobus vd Merwe (KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2023), RJ Botha (Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cap Classique 2017), Narina Cloete (Blaauwklippen Chardonnay 2023), Margaux Nel (Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2006), Dudley Wilson (Lothian of Elgin Chardonnay 2021)
Misty rain covering the winter vines
The menu. We needed to make only one choice and that was of the main course
The starter, warm Parmesan cheese soufflé, was delicious
Seared Salmon, topped with a good horseradish sauce, roast potatoes and cucumber relish
was high quality salmon, moist and so well cooked
was high quality salmon, moist and so well cooked
The Lamb shoulder had been deconstructed and was served with a crisp fondant potato, and al dente vegetables
Michael Fridjhon and Georgie Alexander about to begin the Trophy awards
Alex Mason-Gordon was doing the honours of handing them to Georgie Alexander
They had been kept secret until the moment of presentation
This was such a good venue for the awards, spacious, with great views and very attentive and professional staff
We were surprised to hear that this was the first time it had been used as an outside awards venue
JC le Roux winemaker Matthys Botes received Trophies for
JC Le Roux Méthode Cap Classique Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2015
and Pongrácz Méthode Cap Classique Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs NV
Winemaker Rudi Schultz received a Trophy for the Best Museum Class Sauvignon blanc
for Thelema Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015
The barrel cellar seen through the glass section of the restaurant floor,
which does cause moments of vertigo for some!
José Conde received a Trophy for Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Bloemendal winemaker Andri Hanekom received the
Trophy for the Best Museum Class Sauvignon Semillon blend for Bloemendal Kanonberg 2018
and Trophy for the best Museum class Semillon for Bloemendal Semillon 2017
Thor Vintners owner/winemaker Emile Gentis received a Trophy for Thor Lara Semillon 2023
Cape Point winemaker Anzele Visser with Trophy for Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2022 Sauvignon Semillon blend
Trophy designer John Skotnes
Trophy for Best Other White Blend received by Schenkfontein winemaker Jurgen Siebritz and owner Hendrik Hanekom
The Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc
was awarded to KWV Head winemaker Kobus van der Merwe by Anthea Eedes
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cabernet sauvignon was received by winemaker Corlea Fourie
for Bosman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon was received by cellarmaster RJ Botha
for Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Head winemaker Izele van Blerk received a Trophy for KWV The Mentors Canvas 2020 Mediterranean red blend
Trophy for Best Pinotage was presented to Durbanville Hills winemaker Wilhelm Coetzee
for the Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Promenade Pinotage 2022
which he made with the late Martin Moore
The glass Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux style Red Blend,
a huge glass which can contain a whole bottle of wine. It has to be looked after very carefully
Michael Crossley presented the Riedel Trophy to Hagen Viljoen
for Zevenwacht Z Reserve Collection 2021
The Trophy for Best Dessert Wine was presented to winemaker Jamie Williams
for Nederburg The Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2023
The Crème Brulée was such a good way to end an excellent meal
Winemaker Zinaschke Steyn received Trophies
for Nederburg The Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2023 Unfortified Dessert
and Nederburg The Winemasters Shiraz 2022
Viticulturist Kallie Fernhout received the Vinolok Trophy for the highest-scoring premium-priced gold medallist
for the Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2022 which also won Trophy for Best Chardonnay,
Investec International Judges’ Trophy and Investec Trophy for Best White Wine overall
He also received the Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Port for the 2021 Cape Vintage
KWV senior winemakers Kobus van der Merwe and Izele van Blerk
with the Investec Trophy for the Most Successful Producer
They also received Gold for KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2023
The full list of winners can be seen HERE
Wines we were served with lunch came from this list. All had been entered into the competition
and we had fun pairing as many as we could with the food and tasting
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