Six well-known wine and brandy giants
earned the respect of wine connoisseurs both locally and internationally when
numerous double gold and gold Veritas medals were bestowed upon them during the
2013 Veritas Awards ceremony on 5 October.
KWV took the lead as best wine producer
with no less than four double gold and 13 gold medals followed by Nederburg
with four double gold and 9 gold medals, Boplaas Family Vineyards with four
double gold and six gold medals and De Grendel with three double golds. In the category for
brandy Van Ryn’s came out tops with three double gold medals. In a newly
created category based on a cellar’s number of entries, Nederburg was honoured
as the Best Performer for more than 10 wines entered, while Flagstone Winery
was honoured as the Best Performer for cellars entering less than 10 wines.
A total of 10 wineries clinched two
double gold medals each: Delaire Graff, Eagles’ Nest, Flagstone, Graham Beck,
Kanonkop, Rustenberg, Simonsig, Spier, Tokara and Windmeul.
“Our extended team, from grape growers
through to viticulturalists share a passion for quality and innovation,”
explains Johann Fourie, KWV chief winemaker, their
continued achievements. “At KWV we are lucky to have the environment and
opportunity to live out this approach, and apply it across the board to all our
products. We have a consistent focus on the evolution of specific styles of
wines made from grapes sourced from regions across the Cape. Our success this year
is a tribute to our fantastic team of men and women – proud pioneers all of
them.”
KWV’s double gold medal harvest were
awarded for their The Mentors Orchestra Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet
Franc/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Malbec 2010, The Mentors Pinotage 2011 and the
Laborie Blanc de Blancs MCC 2009, as well as Classic Collection Cape Tawny N/V.
Razvan Macici, Nederburg cellar master since 2001,
on their constant success: “Our success runs deep and is a part of Nederburg’s
DNA. It is founded on an assiduous attention to detail from the ongoing
research into the best viticultural management that addresses the health of the
soil and involves the strategic siting of vineyards to produce grapes of
well-balanced ripeness for our wines.”
Nederburg also won the title of Best
Performer in the new category for more than 10 wines entered. “There’s a golden
thread that runs through whatever we do,” he says. “It’s called precision
and it’s matched with heart. We want our wines to be both technically
accomplished and an absolute pleasure to drink.” Four double gold
medals went to their Private Bin Eminence 2011, the Private Bin R163 Cabernet
Sauvignon 2009, the Winemaker’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2011 and the
Winemaker’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2012.
Mention Boplaas Family
Vineyards and you think of port
and brandy of world-class quality. This year was no
exception for Boplaas earned double gold medals for
their Cape Tawny Vintner’s Reserve N/V, Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2010, Cape
Vintage Reserve Port 2009, as well as for a Cool Bay Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
2013 and a 15 year Reserve
Brandy. “Patience, passion and precision – those are the three main reasons for
our success,” says Margaux Nel, Boplaas winemaker. “We have to wait 10 –
15 years for the perfect Cape Tawny port; we simply love wine and annually
travel abroad to wine countries and we really put a lot of detail into
winemaking.”
De Grendel scooped double gold
for their De Grendel Merlot
2010, De Grendel Shiraz 2011 and De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2013. According
to winemaker Elzette du Preez these three winning varieties have constituted
the core of the farm’s small, select range of wines from the beginning.“We’re
really excited, not only because the wines had to stand out among so many
entries but, to get a double gold, at least five local and international panel
members had to score the wine 18 [using the 20-point scale] – indicating a real
winner,” says Charles Hopkins, winemaker at De Grendel.
In the new category for less than 10
wines entered, Flagstone took the honours as
Best Performer. According to Gerhard Swart, Wine Making Manager of Flagstone
Winery, there are not secret recipe for success. “It is also no lucky
shot. Everyone in my team
work very hard and have an incredible passion for Flagstone,” he says.
“Especially those in the cellar – their attention to detail and our philosophy
to search for vineyards with unique terroirs form the building blocks with
which we create our excellent wines.”
2013’S BEST BRANDIES
Van Ryn’s triumphed in the
category for brandies with a trio of double gold medals for their Collectors
Reserve 20 year old brandy, the Fine Cask Reserve 15 year old brandy and the
Distillers Reserve 12 year old brandy.
“Winning a Veritas award, especially double gold and gold is a
highly prestigious achievement for any producer and it is an honour to be part
of a team who creates brandies that people appreciate and enjoy,” says Marlene
Bester, Distillery Manager at Van Ryn’s. “Over the years our brandies have become internationally
recognised for excellence and Veritas gives us an opportunity to highlight
their excellence at home. The publicity surrounding a Veritas award
winner is invaluable to any brand as it is a trusted indicator of excellence.”
For more information and the full
results of the 2013 Veritas Awards, visit www.veritas.co.za or contact Elsabé
Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599 or via email toadmin@veritas.co.za.
