The judging for the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Awards has concluded, recognising the craft of making fine South African wines and elevating the experts behind the wine making process.
Now in its 32nd year, the Awards are regarded as the country’s most prestigious and well respected wine industry competitions.
The Winemaker of the Year 2012 finalists are:
– Pieter Badenhorst, Bergkelder
– Marc Kent, Boekenhoutskloof Winery
– Adele Swart, Rudera Cellar
– Razvan Macici, Nederburg Wines
For the first time in the history of the competition Dessert Wines (unfortified) were selected as the wine category and entries were judged by a renowned panel of experts.
Judges
This year’s carefully selected judging panel was chaired by legendary wine critic and author David Hughes; Margaret Fry, Cape Wine Master; Nomonde Kubheka, judge of the SAA Wine Awards; Cape Wine Master and Dessert Wine connoisseur, Colin Frith; along with SA’s leading independent drinks commentator and wine journalist, Neil Pendock, and bio-technology expert, Margaret Fundira. Ewan McKenzie, the reigning Best Wine Steward as nominated in the 2012 Diners Club Winelist Awards, participated in the capacity of Apprentice Judge, and found the experience invaluable.
As well as the Winemaker of the Year category, the panel of experts also judged the Young Winemaker of the Year entries, an award which encourages and inspires younger winemakers to greatness.
Both of the Diners Club category winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 3 November 2012, in Franschhoek.
In addition to the esteemed title, the 2012 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year will receive a return ticket to any wine-producing country, and a cheque for R 50 000. The Young Winemaker of the Year will receive an R 25 000 cash prize.
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