Golden glory for Stellenbosch at Veritas

Tuesday, 10 October, 2017
Stellenbosch Wine Routes
SA's oldest wine route claims top spots in competition

Brand Stellenbosch, steeped in history, provenance, and personality, showed its mettle at the 2017 Veritas Awards by clinching no less than 29 out of the 71 Double Gold medals, whilst this year’s top three producers also stem from South Africa’s first and foremost wine region.

Like last year, Distell walked away with the laurels as the top achiever with seven Double Gold and 18 Gold medals added to its winning cap. In addition, this Stellenbosch wine powerhouse triumphed in the brandy category with six Double Gold and two Gold medals.

Another proudly Stellenbosch ambassador, Spier, received the new Veritas Vertex Award for the competition’s overall champion wine, its wooded 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015. Cellarmaster Frans Smit and his Spier team won a total of six Double Gold and nine Gold medals as the second-best performer overall at the event.

In third spot was Kleine Zalze with four Double Gold and four Gold medals.

The Best Performer by Entry title went to Neil Ellis Wines in the category for ten wines or less, while Distell also triumphed in the class for more than ten wines.

Double Gold winners

Distell clinched its magnificent seven Double Golds for Alto Rouge 2015, Alto Shiraz 2015, Desiderius MCC 2009, Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Chardonnay 2016, Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur NLH 2003, Nederburg Private Bin Eminence NLH Muscadel 2001 and Uitkyk Carlonet Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. 

Spier took six Double Gold medals for Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015, Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2016, Spier Ideology Chenin Blanc 2016, Spier Signature Chenin Blanc 2017, Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 and Spier Creative Block 3 Shiraz/Mourvedre/Viognier 2012.

Kleine Zalze scooped Double Gold medals for Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2015, Kleine Zalze Family Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2016, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.

Neethlingshof Estate and Simonsig Estate each won two Double Gold medals and six and five Gold respectively.

“We are deeply proud of our wine community and we are keen to share our unique, high-quality wines with the world and I hope wine lovers from across the globe increasingly choose a Stellenbosch wine next time they enjoy a glass or two,” shares Elmarie Rabe, Stellenbosch Wine Routes Manager.

Photo credits… www.agormanevents.com

Caption 1: Christo Pienaar, Veritas Chairman; Frans Smit, Spier Cellarmaster; Jacques Erasmus, Spier White Winemaker; Patrick Kraukamp, Spier; Anthony Kock, Spier; Bennie Howard, Veritas Vice-Chairman

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The winners of the first Vertex Award at Veritas, Spier Wines
The winners of the first Vertex Award at Veritas, Spier Wines

The winners of the first Vertex Award at Veritas, Spier Wines
The winners of the first Vertex Award at Veritas, Spier Wines

The winners of the first Vertex Award at Veritas (Caption 1)
The winners of the first Vertex Award at Veritas (Caption 1)



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