Entries for the 2008 Winemakers’ Choice Diamond Awards are now open for any accredited winemaking estate or registered garigista – who is willing to accept the challenge of being judged by their peers, for top honours in South Africa’s toughest awards challenge.

Now in its fourth successful year, the Winemakers’ Choice Diamond Awards is an annual challenge for wines which are ‘judged’ by the assembled winemakers and not ‘graded’ and is the only awards system in South Africa to operate under these guidelines.

The panel of winemakers who vie each year to be included in the judging process, carefully and rigorously taste each of the entered wines and through a series of discussions, eliminate those wines that do not meet the stringent requirements

To make this process even fairer, the judges are precluded from handling the bottles and seeing the often unique tops of the bottles so that each  wine that is tasted is done so on the merit of the grape itself making this possibly, the most strict judging process and possibly the most desirable to be adjudicated by. No peer pressure here! (well not much…)

“When wines are entered into an awards system the winners should be based on a general consensus identifying the best in category and not through a tallied score where there is very often a fine line between each level,” says Robyn Patterson, managing director, Winemakers’ Choice, “This is what Winemakers’ Choice Diamond Awards focuses on and we believe can only be done through extensive discussions against all entries we receive, which sets us apart from any other awards system in South Africa.”

Only the best in each of the categories are given honours with the overall winner, be it red or white, sweet or dry, awarded the prestigious Diamond Award.

Top Honour for Winemakers launched

Lest we forget the winemakers themselves, 2008 will mark the first time that recognition will be conferred on the winemaker him/herself.  This is another first for Winemakers’ Choice and for the wine industry.

For many years, chefs have been recognised for the sterling work they perform in their kitchens and when they leave to set-up other establishments, these awards generally follow them, making them, the chef, very marketable!

Consequently, as a mark of respect and recognition, a Diamond Award will now be awarded to the winemaker, whose wines have demonstrated overall superiority during the judging process.  This is also a landmark and significantly important derivation from other wine events which often overlook the importance and skill of the winemaker whose hard work and dedication to his/her craft has contributed to the economic success of the wine. As only two winemakers can achieve a Diamond Winemaker Award per year, this prestigious accolade will be a sort after achievement by any winemaker.

It is hoped that with the inception of this specific Award, the winemaking industry in South Africa will attract young blood to assist in developing new skills and winemaking techniques and open the doors to new talent that will continue to grow the industry itself for the benefit of all. And of coarse, allow our currently talented winemakers to gain recognition for there efforts and service they offer the industry.

The closing date for entries is 15 August 2008, and the Awards Dinner will take place on 17 September 2008 at Stellenbosch City Hall.  Cost per entry is R473.00 (excl VAT).