The aim of each event is to capture the imagination of those attending by offering them a message that is original and inspiring. But it is an enthralling challenge to find ways to make each event one which further the quality and enhance the image of South African Chardonnay. This year's wines on presentation were selected by means of a rigorous tasting aimed at expressing the diversity of South Africa's different Chardonnay regions. The objective was to select two site-specific wines from eight of the country's top Chardonnay producing areas. To reach the final list, Richard Kershaw, Master of Wine, and wine maker Hannes Storm went through over 50 wines under the watchful guidance of Dave Hughes, honing the line-up down to 16 wines from eight regions. With the tasting lined-up under the themes of regionality and South Africa's ability to produce wines with site-specific characteristics, the Celebration of Chardonnay brought in a second dynamic, namely the presence of wine writer extraordinaire Andrew Jefford. Andrew travelled from his home outside Montpellier in France to address the Celebration of Chardonnay, to taste the wines and also to give his opinion. Listening to a masterly wine commentator made this day one to remember. His full speech can be seen by clicking on the attached link, and those with a deeper interest in wine are encouraged to read it. But what Andrew said vindicated De Wetshof's decision to host a Celebration of Chardonnay. It is the world's greatest white wine grape. It speaks of poetry with a voice of its own, and that voice is terroir and geographical footprint. The presentation was followed by a lunch, as usual prepared by Brian McCune and Garth Stroebel, and accompanies by more Chardonnays representing South Africa's various regions and their quality producers. The list of presentation wines were as follows: Cape Peninsula (Groot Constantia 2013; Cape Point 2012). Stellenbosch Helderberg (Vergelegen 2012; Vriesenhof 2012). Robertson (Kranskop 2012; De Wetshof Bateleur 2012). Elgin (Richard Kershaw 2012; KWV Mentors 2012). Stellenbosch Simonsberg (Rustenberg 2011; Tokara 2012). Franschhoek & Villiersdorp (Chamonix 2013; Anthonij Rupert 2012). Stellenbosch Bottelary/Polkadraai. (Hartenberg The Eleanor 2013; Jordan Nine Yards - 2013). Hemel & Aarde (Hamilton Russell 2012; Ataraxia 2012). ON the awards front, De Wetshof also ended the year on a high note in the SAA Wine Awards - not only were three of its wines selected for the national airline's premier class, but De Wetshof was also named Producer of the Year, winning the Chief Executive Officer Trophy for 2015. The three wines selected were the De Wetshof Methode Cap Classique Brut 2008, De Wetshof Finesse Chardonnay 2014 and the Naissance Cabernet Sauvignon 2013. For the 2015 SAA Wine Selection year, more than 800 wines were submitted by South African wine producers. A panel of the most distinguished, independent, local and international judges assessed the wines over a period of three days of blind tasting sessions. According to our wine maker Peter de Wet, the awards showed the Estate's diversity - not only in the location of vineyard sites, but also in the wine styles it is making today. "Having three wines selected by a panel of experts for the SAA wine list is a great achievement for the De Wetshof team," he says. "But winning the Chief Executive Officer Trophy for Best Producer is a wonderful accolade to receive, especially in light of the overall high standard of wine making the country is currently offering the world. "The inclusion of the De Wetshof Finesse underscores our reputation for Chardonnay, and the Finesse remains a popular wine with its refreshing accessibility yet typical Chardonnay complexity," says De Wet. "It was, however, a real honour to see our Methode Cap Classique selected as we have only been producing this style since 2007 and it is an immensely competitive category at a time South African wine makers are making their best Cap Classiques ever." SUMMER is really the most beautiful time to see the Robertson Valley vineyards. The berries are forming nicely and although one never predicts a harvest at this stage, the vines' health and the temperate days due to the brisk southerly breezes is making the vineyard and wine making teams excited about next year's harvest, which should commence with the Cape Classique grapes in mid-January. This is a wonderful time to visit the Estate, so please stop by for a wine tasting, a chat and to experience some Robertson hospitality. We wish you all the best over the festive season, and may the new year be a blessed one. The De Wet Family Click here to download the newsletter in pdf format.