Wine Tours Stellenbosch - the heart of the Cape Winelands

Best of Wine Tourism Winner 2012

Willem — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:42:22 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS LA MOTTE VINEYARD !

Great Wine Capitals South Africa has just voted this beautiful historical
wine estate in Franschhoek as the Best of Wine Tourism Winner 2012.

LA MOTTE won in the category arts and culture.

Other South Africa) category winners were DELAIRE (accommodation) SOLMS DELTA ( Innovative Tourism )
WATERKLOOF ( Architecture and Landscape ) TOKARA (restaurant) WAVERLY HILLS (sustainable tourism

JOHN PLATTER 5* WINE AWARDS 2012

Willem — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:08:06 +0000

The 2012 edition of the John Platter Guide due out in November have just announced their 5* “South African classics “

The panel of judges taste as many of the current South African wines available locally and overseas and of the over 7000 wines entered 139 were identified for a second
round of “blind” tasting (label not seen) for the 5* category. Forty Five Wines were awarded the ultimate accolade with the Stellenbosch region coming out tops with
9 five star wines followed by the Western Cape appellation (7) Coastal (5) Paarl (4)
and Franschhoek, Swartland 4 each.

Special mention must be made of BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF WINE ESTATE
in Franschhoek who garnered three 5* awards for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Semillon and Nobel Late Harvest.

NEDERBERG WINE ESTATE in Paarl for their three 5* wines namely:
Eminence (Muscat de Frontignan ) Edelkeur ( Desert Wine ) and their Ingenuity White.

MULLINEUX FAMILY WINES in Riebeek Kasteel for their three 5* wine awards
namely their Syrah, Straw Wine and White Blend.

There were a number of wineries that made it into the 5* category for the first :
Badsberg wine cellar ( Rawsonville ), Colmont Cellar ( Franschhoek ),
Diemmersfontein ( Durbanville) Oak Valley (Elgin ), Glenelly Wines ( Stellenbosch)
Miles Mossop ( Stellenbosch) , Mont Destin (Stellenbosch )

Red Blends
were the overall star performers.

The 5* Wine Award Superstars for 2012 are :

Cabernet Franc

• Warwick 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Boekenhoutskloof 2009

• Graham Beck Chalkboard #3 2007

• Stark-Condé Three Pines 2009

Pinot Noir

• Chamonix Reserve 2010

• Newton Johnson Domaine 2010

• Oak Valley 2009

Shiraz/Syrah

• Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2009

• Fairview The Beacon 2008

• Mont Destin Destiny 2007

• Mullineux Syrah 2009

• Saxenburg Select 2007

Red Blends

• Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2010

• De Toren Fusion V 2009

• Glenelly Lady May 2009

• La Motte Pierneef Shiraz-Viognier 2009

• Meerlust Rubicon 2007

• Miles Mossop Max 2008

• Sadie Family Columella 2009

Chardonnay

• De Wetshof The Site 2009

• Jordan CWG Auction Reserve 2010

Chenin Blanc

• Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2010

• Diemersfontein Carpe Diem 2010

• Vins d’Orrance Kama 2010

Grenache Blanc

• KWV Mentors 2010

Sauvignon Blanc

• Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run 2011

• Hermanuspietersfontein No 5 2010

• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2010

• Steenberg CWG Auction Reserve The Magus 2010

• Strandveld 2010

White Blends

• Fable Jackal Bird 2010

• Flagstone CWG Auction Reserve Happy Hour 2009

• Mullineux White Blend 2010

• Nederburg Ingenuity 2010

• Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2010

Méthode Cap Classique Sparkling

• Colmant Brut Chardonnay NV

• Topiary Blanc de Blancs Brut 2009

Natural Sweet

• Badsberg Badslese 2009

Dessert Wine Unfortified

• Boekenhoutskloof Semillon Noble Late Harvest 2008

• Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2010

• Mullineux Straw Wine 2010

• Nederburg Edelkeur 2010

• Nederburg Eminence 2010

Port

• Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2009

• De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2009

MICHELANGO WINE AWARDS 2011

Willem — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:21:21 +0000

MICHELANGELO WINE AWARDS 2011

The results of the annual Michelangelo Wine Awards now in its 15^th year have been
announced

There were 226 producers who entered 1,385 wines for the international judges to judge of which 475 wines received medals

The Grand Prix Trophy awarded to the wine with the highest score in the competition went to Journey’s End Chardonnay 2010

SHIRAZ was the red wine with the most entries and a total of 169
were entered. The judges felt that the 2009 vintages were well integrated and
had good varietal character. The 2007 vintage expressed quality all round.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON was the second highest entry with 143
entries, the 2010 vintage showing the most promise. Red Blends (116) were
followed by Pinotage (100)

SAUVIGNON BLANC was the most popular white wine entered followed
by Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc

PAARL with 38 Gold Medals was followed by STELLENBOSCH (33)

DURBANVILLE ( 15 )
CONSTANTIA ( 1 ) and the rest of
South Africa’s wine regions made up for the rest. ( 85)

The full results can be viewed at the following link

http://www.michelangeloawards.com/_results/results2011.php

Trip Advisor 2011 Certificate of Excellence Award

Willem — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:43:25 +0000

We are proud to announce that TSIBA TSIBA TOURS AND TRAVEL have just been awarded the Trip Advisor 2011 “Certificate of Excellence “Award.

Thank you to all who have used our services over the years and to those who are still coming to our beautiful country we say Welcome !

Oldest Vine in South Africa

Willem — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:18:53 +0000

Tucked away in a Cape Town city hotel courtyard
is the oldest grape bearing vine in South Africa. Planted around 1781 the vine still flourishes
and due to vigorous pruning each year bears enough grapes for about 20 litres
of wine. The Crouchen Blanc vine in the Heritage
Hotel courtyard has recently been harvested by Kyle Zulch of
Signal Hill Vineyard who is making the
wine to auction off for charity. Get those check -books ready !

Top 100 SA Wine Challenge

Willem — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:57:49 +0000

The Top 100 SA Wine Challenge has just been completed and provided an objective, independent and
professional rating of South Africa’s fine wines. Judging panels were made up of the highest quality experts.There were 2 tasting panels of 4 judges witheach panel comprising two SA judges and two international judges and at least two on each panel were MWs- Master of Wine. Considering that there are less than 300 MW’s in the world it really encapulates how prestige’s the awards are for those vineyards that make it onto the list.

“The South African Top100 is one of the most exciting
projects I have ever been involved with,setting new standards of professionalism and integrity for the
Cape Wine industry.” Tim Aitkin MW- Chair UK

“Unlike any other wine competition I have been involved
with, Top 100 sets the standard in terms of rigour. Each wine is tasted from
freshly poured and decanted samples side-by-side, and ample time is allocated
to discussion.” Jamie Goode -UK

Stellenbosch topped the awards with 37 wines making it onto the prestigious list of which there were 9 Red Blends,5 Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 Shiraz ,2 Pinotage, 1 Merlot and 1 Cabernet Franc

There were also 13 White wines that made it onto the list from the Stellenbosch region which included 7 Chenin Blanc
3 Chardonnay 1 Savignon Blanc 2 Bordeaux White Blends

SIMONSIG VINEYARD was the most successful producer of the competition with 4 wines in the Top 100 namely Chenin Avec Chen

Cuvee Royale MCC 2005, Frans Malan 2005, Pinotage Redhill 2007 http://www.top100sawines.co.za/winning-wines.php

Rupert buys Graham Beck Wine Estate in Franschhoek

Willem — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:00:59 +0000

Billionaire Johan Rupert has bought the Graham Beck wine estate in Franschhoek.

The sale includes 450hectares of land , including 70hectares of vineyards, a cellar, administrative and storage facilities and the La Garonne manor house.

Graham Beck, a close friend of over 30 years and neighbours of Rupert, died of cancer last year.

The estate is the fourth vineyard owed by the Rupert family. L’ Ormarins vineyard, La Motte vineyard ( owned by sister Haneli ) and Rupert and Rothschild vineyard being the other three which are all in Franshhoek.

The Graham Beck Wines Robertson cellar and vineyards and the Steenberg Estate in Constantia will continue to operate as before and do not form part of the sale.

“As a farmer it is generally accepted that if , during your lifetime, the neighbouring farm becomes available, you are very fortunate “said Rupert

Stellenbosch Wine Farm sold to Foreign Investor

Willem — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:37:01 +0000

Mulderbosch Vineyard

Veritas Awards 2010

Willem — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:25:12 +0000

The authoritative Veritas Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is recognized as South Africa’s most highly esteemed indicator of quality in market ready wines.

Check out the double gold award winners

Spier Wines excelled at the 20th Veritas Awards for the second consecutive year with five double gold and two gold medals. Out of 1 733 entries only 64 supreme wines and brandies can now wear the coveted double gold symbol of top quality. The awards were announced last night (Friday 8 October) during a gala evening, sponsored by Agri-Expo, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Other double gold and gold top achievers are Nederburg (3 double gold, 4 gold), Simonsig (3 double gold, 2 gold), Anura (3 double gold, 1 gold) and Kleine Zalze (3 double gold, 1 gold). Badsberg, Boplaas, De Grendel, De Krans, Fleur du Cap, Lomond and Saronsberg also shone with two double gold medals each

12 October 2010 by Veritas Awards

Spier Wines excelled at the 20th Veritas Awards for the second consecutive year with five double gold and two gold medals.

Out of 1,733 entries only 64 supreme wines and brandies can now wear the coveted double gold symbol of top quality. The awards were announced Friday night (8 October) during a gala evening, sponsored by Agri-Expo, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).Other double gold and gold top achievers are Nederburg (3 double gold, 4 gold), Simonsig (3 double gold, 2 gold), Anura (3 double gold, 1 gold) and Kleine Zalze (3 double gold, 1 gold). Badsberg, Boplaas, De Grendel, De Krans, Fleur du Cap, Lomond and Saronsberg also shone with two double gold medals each.For the first time since Veritas’s inception twenty years ago, brandy now forms part of this proud tradition of wine judging. Van Ryn, creator of excellent brandies since 1845, collected 2 double gold and 2 gold medals from amongst the total of 40 brandy entries.

The medal distribution is as follows: 64 (3.7%) double gold, 130 (7.5%) gold, 509 (29.4%) silver and 673 (38.8%) bronze.

THE WINNING WINES AND BRANDIES

The wine makers of Spier, outside Stellenbosch, proved once again that they have mastered the art of creating a variety of quality wines by clinching double gold medals for the 2008 Spier Creative Block 3, 2007 Spier Creative Block 5, 2007 Spier Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Spier Private Collection Chardonnay and the 2009 Spier Private Collection Sauvignon Blanc. Their 2010 Spier Creative Block 2 and the 2008 Spier Private Collection Shiraz acquired gold status.

Nederburg stole the limelight with their wines and brandies. They earned double gold for the 1977 Nederburg Edelkeur, 2003 Nederburg Private Bin D266 Sémillon and 2008 Nederburg Private Bin Eminence. Gold was awarded to the 2010 Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Nederburg Private Bin D252 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon, 2009 Nederburg Private Bin Eminence as well as their Nederburg Solera Brandy.

Simonsig put in a sterling performance with three double gold awards for the 2005 Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs MCC, 2006 Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel MCC and 2008 Simonsig The SMV Shiraz/Mourvedre/Viognier. Gold Veritas symbols will grace the 2010 Simonsig Chenin Blanc and 2008 Simonsig Pinotage Redhill.

Anura impressed the judges with their 2006 Anura Merlot Reserve, 2008 Anura Pinotage Reserve and 2010 Anura Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Unfiltered and were honoured with a trio of double gold medals. The 2007 Anura Petit Verdot Limited Release won a gold medal.

Kleine Zalze boasts double gold for their exceptional 2009 Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie, 2008 Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Shiraz and 2009 Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Shiraz/Mourvedre/Viognier.Their 2005 Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie was crowned with a gold medal.

This year’s top brandy achiever is Van Ryn with two double gold medals for their potstill brandy, namely the 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve and 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve. They also scooped two gold awards for the Van Ryn’s 10 Year Old Vintage and the 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve.

2010 Eat Out Top 10 Restaurants nominations announced

admin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:13:23 +0000

The naming of the 20 nominees for the 2010 Eat Out Top 10 Restaurants has finally been announced!! The final round of deliberation was on the 22nd of September, and we are proud to announce that six nominees are Proudly Stellenbosch Restaurants!

They are, in no particular order:

Restaurant Christophe - new to Stellenbosch in the last few months!
George Jardine at Jordan Restaurant – also very new, only one year old!
Overture at Hidden Valley
The Restaurant at Waterkloof - yes another new one!
Rust en Vrede
Terroir at Kleine Zalze

The winning restaurant will be revealed on the 28th of November at the 2010 Eat Out Awards. Congratulations to you all, we are holding thumbs! For the full list of nominations, click HERE.