Awarding choice winemakers

The winemakers have made their selection for the winners of the Investec Private Bank Winemakers' Choice Diamond Awards, and the trophies were handed out at a gala dinner in Stellenbosch on Wednesday, 17 September. Guests were also awarded with a surprise performance by South African music artist, Louise Carver.

From left: Danie Marais, manager of Windmeul and Johan Joubert, winemaker from Kleine Zalze.

From an entry base of several hundred of the country's wines, a judging panel of prominent winemakers deliberated, through a blind tasting procedure, the winners in each category, and from those selected the overall Investec Private Bank Winemakers' Choice Diamond Trophy Red and Trophy White wines. Kleine Zalze was awarded the trophy white for their Cellar Selection Select Cuvée Chenin Blanc 2007 and Windmeul the trophy red for their Pinotage Reserve 2007.

2008 also marked the introduction of the Investec Private Bank Winemakers' Choice Diamond Winemaker of the Year award, for the winemakers themselves, in recognition of their contribution to the industry. Both Johan Joubert (Kleine Zalze) and Francois van Niekerk (Windmeul) received an Investec Private Bank Winemakers' Choice Diamond Winemaker of the Year Award. This is the highest accolade at the Awards and a first for the wine industry - similar in stature to a Michelin star awarded to chefs.

Robyn Patterson, General Manager of Winemakers' Choice commented, “Every year the selection of winners in the 18 categories gets harder and harder; however, both of the 2008 overall winning wines were outstanding in their respective categories.”

For the full list of winners, visit: www.winemakerschoice.co.za

[19 Sep 2008 12:55]