The short-form category prize was
awarded to Angela Lloyd, whose ‘evocative writing and eloquent phrasing,
written by a passionate wine lover, is evident throughout the body of work that
was presented’.
Joanne Gibson walked away with the
award for the long-form category for her piece, An Excellent Cordial. The
judges described it as ‘A perfect piece of completely dedicated historical
research that reads like a summary for a gripping wine novel’.
A panel of independent judges,
comprised of two local wine experts – radio broadcaster John Maytham and
chef/cookbook writer/wine-and-food-pairing consultant Marlene van der
Westhuizen, and the international judge for the 2015 competition, Tim Atkin – wine
master, wine journalist and co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge,
judged the entries in the two categories.
Marlene van der Westhuizen, who spoke
at the presentation ceremony at the Franschhoek Literary Festival on Friday on
behalf of the judges, said that the decision of this year’s winners was
unanimous.
The entries were judged without the
names of the writers attached, and the judging panel considered the following
criteria in making their decisions:
• Excellent,
well-informed writing of literary quality
• Technical
accuracy
• Fresh
perspectives and insights
• Good
storytelling
• In
the case of the short-form entries, consistent excellence throughout the year
The cash prizes of R12 500 to each
winner, were presented by the CEO of the Franschhoek Wine Valley, Jenny
Prinsloo.