Elgin Vintners were overjoyed when
their maiden Elgin Vintners The Century 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend was
awarded Diamond status at the recent Winemakers’ Choice Awards.
Since its
creation in 2008, the Winemakers’ Choice Awards
has become a key competition within the South African wine industry. These
awards are unique in that the wines are judged exclusively by winemakers, who assess the wines on technical
excellence as well as their overall impression. Only approximately 10%
of the entrants receive an award which demonstrates the strict criteria for
selection. The wines can be
identified on store shelves by the Diamond Award sticker that they are entitled
to carry following their performance.
“We are
particularly honoured to receive this significant thumbs-up from our winemaking
peers, and delighted to achieve this mark of distinction for a wine dedicated
to a highly esteemed gentleman, Douglas Moodie: centenarian, Elgin Valley visionary and pioneer
and father of one of our Elgin Vintners partners,” enthused Nicky
Wallace, Elgin Vintners business manager.
The grapes for the maiden release of
the Elgin Vintners The Century were sourced exclusively from Eikenhof farm
which is owned by the Moodie family. A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon,
The Century bursts with intense aromas of guava, jasmine, pickled pear and
spicy white peach. The palate completely delivers on expectation and combines
both a femininity and core of minerality. It is an intriguing wine, a
powerhouse of fresh summer stone fruits, full on the palate with a silky
finish.
Elgin Vintners were also awarded an
array of medals at the recent International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
Eleven Elgin Vintners Wines were entered and ten wines received medals. Once
again the Elgin Vintners The Century 2011 performed exceptionally well and
received a Silver Outstanding Award as did the Elgin Vintners Chardonnay 2011
and Elgin Vintners Viognier 2011. Both these vintages are yet to be released.
The current vintages of Chardonnay 2010 and Viognier 2010 received Silver and
Bronze medals respectively. Other medals achieved were Silver medals for Elgin
Vintners Agama 2007 and 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and
a Bronze medal for the Elgin Vintners Merlot 2009.
“We are so thrilled with these
results – although the Gold eluded us at the IWSC, we are encouraged by the
strong set of results and believe we are on the right track. The wines from
Elgin just keep getting better and better,” continued Nicky Wallace.
Elgin Vintners
Elgin Vintners, ‘Publishers of Fine
Wines’, is a close knit partnership of six dedicated wine growers from the
Elgin Valley. Believing in the excellence of the Elgin terroir and
diversity of their vineyards, the Elgin Vintners combine their resources to
cultivate, produce and market their range of fine quality Elgin Valley wines.
The Elgin Vintners
partnership includes: Paul Wallace, highly experienced viticultural consultant
to the Elgin Vintners and owner of Wallovale Vineyards in Elgin, Alastair Moodie (Eikenhof farm which is a
BWI Champion), Derek Corder (Beaulieu and Southern Cross Farms), James
Rawbone-Viljoen (Blauwkrans, Helderfontein and Drumearn farms), Max Hahn (Elgin
Orchards which is a BWI Champion) and Rob Semple (Brookelands farm). Paul’s wife, Nicky Wallace, although not officially a
partner, is business manager and the glue that holds the Elgin Vintners team
together.
Elgin Vintners Tasting Room
Elgin Vintners recently moved to
their new home at Morningstar Farm on the Oudebrug Road in Elgin; where they
mature their Chardonnay in barrel, store their bottled wines and host
wine-tastings in the Elgin Vintners Library. Wine tastings are by appointment,
except on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month when they and 16 other
Elgin wine producers are open for tastings from 10am until 4pm as part of the
Elgin Open Wine Weekends.
·
Tel: 021 859 2779 /
021 848 9587
·
Cell: 083 255 1884
·
Email: elginvintner@mweb.co.za
