South Africa, Durbanville, 2 July 2021: The inimitable excellence of wines from Durbanville has been re-affirmed following a remarkable performance by wine route members at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show (OMTWS). Taking top honours at the event – one of the industry’s most authoritative challenges – Durbanville claimed no less than four trophies including Most Successful Producer Overall.
“This is a wonderful achievement by our members, who consistently shine in local and international competitions,” says Durbanville Wine Valley manager Natasha de Villiers. “The opinions of the show’s experienced panel of judges once again highlight the excellence of vineyards on Cape Town’s doorstep.”
The results were announced in a virtual presentation from Johannesburg on June 30. The OMTWS trophy winners from Durbanville are: Trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall and for Best Pinotage (Pinotage Reserve 2019) – Diemersdal Estate; Trophy for Best Chardonnay and Trophy for Best White Wine Overall – De Grendel Op die Berg Chardonnay 2020
Thys Louw, sixth-generation owner-winemaker at Diemersdal, says they’re “very pleased” with the award. “The hard work has now finally borne fruit!”
Commenting on the importance of the event, Thys adds that only a small percentage of producers who enter win trophies and gold medals, in a competition led by Michael Fridjhon – possibly South Africa’s best wine critic.
Charles Hopkins, cellarmaster at De Grendel, agrees. “This competition is important because of the calibre and diversity of judges; the diversity of styles that feature; meticulous assessment of wines; and, scarcity of awards.
“I think if you do well, you can feel proud – we certainly are. Plus, it is rather nice to be rubbing shoulders with big names in the industry.”
The OMTWS is South Africa’s premier wine competition and held in enormous esteem. It allows winemakers to benchmark their success against leading international palates. Over the two decades it has been held, the competition has seen some 19 000 wines assessed. More than half that have entered, never went home with a medal, reinforcing that message that any medal at this event is a real achievement. In addition to the trophies that Durbanville Wine Valley members won, Gold medals were awarded for the Diemersdal Private Collection Bordeaux Blend 2017 and The Journal Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Silver medals went to the Diemersdal Private Collection 2018, Diemersdal The Journal Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Meerendal Sauvignon Blanc 2020 and Groot Phesantekraal Sauvignon Blanc 2021, which was also singled out for exceptional good value.
Durbanville Wine Valley is home to some of South Africa’s most well-known wineries, which have a long history of producing champion wines thanks to the region’s cool climate, and diversity of soils and slopes. They include the wineries already mentioned as well as Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, Canto, D’Aria, Durbanville Hills, Hillcrest, Klein Roosboom, Loch Lynne, Maastricht, Meerendal, Nitida and Signal Gun.
Many of the wines from Durbanville are available for sale directly from the association’s website.
For more information about Durbanville Wine Valley, visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za or send an email to info@durbanvillewine.co.za.
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