Big thirst for medals in SPAR-Orange River Wine Competition
Retail-driven wine competition, the Country Cellars competition for the Winemakers and Viticulturists of Orange River Wine Cellars, was this year dominated by the Grootdrink Winery in the Northern Cape. Grootdrink, one of the five wineries in the stable of Upington-based Orange River Cellars walked off with the prizes for Champion Wine Cellar for 2010, Champion Winemaker (Johan Dippenaar), Best Red Blend (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) and Best Red Cultivar (Petit Verdot).
The Khamkirri Award for Viticulturist of the Year went to Stefan Jordaan from Keimoes Winery. This unique competition, now in its 9th year, celebrates the relationship between the SPAR Group which includes South Africa’s top wine retailer – Tops – and Orange River Wine Cellars, who also supplies the wines for SPAR’s own Country Cellars brand.
Full list of winners:
Great Gariep Award for Best White Cultivar - Riaan Liebenberg, Groblershoop, with a 2010 Chardonnay.
Aukarabis Award for Best Red Cultivar - Johan Dippenaar, Grootdrink, with a 2010 Petit Verdot.
Kathu Award for Best White Blend - Chris Venter, Keimoes, with a 2010 Colombard/Chenin Blanc blend.
Kalahari Award for Best Red Blend - Johan Dippenaar, Groootdrink, with a 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot blend.
Riemvasmaak Award for Best Dessert Wine - Chris Venter, Keimoes, with a 2010 White Muscadel.
Grootdrink Award for Best Dessert Wine - Bolla Louw with a 2007 White Muscadel.
Kokerboom Award for Best Single Vineyard wine - landowner Erno Krapohl of Grootdrink Cellar.
Kanoneiland Award for Best Runner-up Single Vineyard Wine - landowner Kerneels Nortjé of Groblershoop Cellar.
Khamkirri Award for Viticulturist of the Year - Stefan Jordaan of Keimoes Cellar.
Oranjerivier Award for Runner-up Champion Winemaker for 2010 - Chris Venter of Keimoes Cellar.
Country Cellars Award for Champion Winemaker for 2010 - Johan Dippenaar of Grootdrink Cellar (Sponsored by the SPAR Group Ltd).
SPAR Award Grand Champion Wine Cellar for 2010 = Grootdrink Cellar (Sponsored by Ray Edwards, SPAR Group Ltd).
