Diners Club Winemaker Of the Year Award
Wine has a rich and long history in South Africa and is one of the countrys greatest exports and attractions. Keeping this tradition alive in the modern and ever changing world is not easy and Diners Club International is committed to helping South Africa retain this vital area of its heritage and economy. As new winemakers emerge and learn the intricate art of viticulture, the annual Diners Club Winemaker beats by dre of the Year Award has become a coveted title that helps encourage all wine farms to strive for excellence.
The Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award
The first Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award was handed out in 1981 and was an initiative by this innovative company to improve the overall standards of South African living for its customers. Diners Club customers appreciate a certain kind of lifestyle and the company aims to enhance these areas of their lives. In order to encourage better service and products in these areas, Diners Club decided to create and sponsor awards and programmes that act as successful motivators for those in the industry.
In its 27 year history, the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award has become the benchmark for excellence in the South African wine industry. This award has recognised some of the countrys top winemakers and encouraged others to follow suit and become some of the best winemakers in the world. Considered by most as one of the top awards one can receive in this industry, the Diners Club Award polo ralph lauren outlet has played a significant role in uplifting the standards of wine in South Africa.
The Winemakers of the Year
The Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award selects a particular wine category each year ensuring that all wines are judged by the same criteria.
1981 The first Diners Club Winemaker of the year award was for the category of Innovative Wines and was won by W Finlayson of Blaauwklippen for his Zinfandel 1980.
1982 The category of best Cabernet Sauvignon was again won by W Finlayson of Blaauwklippen for his Cabernet Sauvignon 1980.
1983 The Rhine Riesling category for the year was won by winemaker G Brzel from the Nederburg Estate for his Rhine Riesling 1983.
1984 The very competitive Sauvignon Blanc category was won by M Rossouw of Eersterivier for the Sauvignon Blanc 1984.
1985 The category of best South African Gewrztraminer was awarded to G Brzel of the Nederburg Estate for their Gewrztraminer 1985.
1986 The category of best Wood-aged White was won by S Back of Backsberg for his Chardonnay 1985.
1987 The category of South African specialty wine, the Pinotage was won by B Truter of Kanonkop Estate for his 1985 Pinotage.
1988 - The Muscadel category was won by W Linde of Nuy for their White Muscadel 1985.
1989 The delicate Pinot Noir category was awarded to P Finlayson of Hamilton Russell for the 1986 Pinot Noir.
1990 The Special Late Harvest award went to A Bruwer of Bon Courage for his Gewrztraminer SLH 1989.
1991 The category was the best Cape Riesling which saw W Linde of Nuy Estate scooping his second award for their 1991 Riesling.
1992 This was the year of the Merlot and the award was won by J Daneel of Constantias Buitenverwachting Estate for their Reserve Merlot 1991.
1993 The category of best Chardonnay was awarded to winemaker D De Wet of De Wetshof for theirFinesse Chardonnay 1993.
1994 The Bordeaux-style Red category was won by G Webb of Thelema for his Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1992.
1995 This years category of Cap Classique was taken by N Krone of Twee Jonge Gezellen for their Krone Borealis Brut 1993.
1996 The Cabernet Sauvignon category was won by two-time winner G Webb of Thelema for his Cabernet Sauvignon 1994.
1997 The Sauvignon Blanc category was taken by J Grier of Villiera Bush Vine for his Sauvignon Blanc 1997.
1998 The Shiraz red wine category was won by D Malan of Allesverloren Estate for their 1996 Shiraz.
1999 The new Cape Blend category was won, for the very first time by a woman, winemaker Ronel Wiid of Hazendal Estate along the Botellary Wine Route. The winning blend was a 1998 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon that reflected the mix of her South African culture with that of the Estates new owners Russian heritage.
2000 - The Port category was won by P de Villiers of Landskroon for their nicely aged 1997 Port.
2001 The Chenin Blanc award was given to E Hall of Kanu Estate for their Chenin Blanc 2001.
2002 The returning Pinotage category was won by D De Waal of the De Waal Estate for their Top of the Hill 2001 Pinotage.
2003 The category of most impressive Semillon was taken hands down by J Loubser of Steenberg Constantia Uitsig for their Reserve Semillon 2002.
2004 - The Cap Classique year was won by winemaker P Ferreira of Graham Beck for the Brut Blanc de Blancs 1999.
2005 The category of Merlot was awarded to C Schultz of Hartenberg for their 2004 Merlot.
2006 - The category of best Chardonnay was won by G Mocke of Chamonix for the Sterhuis Chardonnay 2004.
2007 Last years category of best Shiraz was won by M Kentof Boekenhoutskloof for their Syrah 2005.
The latest Addition
Following the success of the Diners chan luu sale Club Winemaker of the Year Award, the company launched a brand new initiative in 2001. The Diners Club Young Winemakers of the Year Award was implemented to motivate new entries to the viticulture field and reward those already there for their ambition and hard work. This recognition often plays an integral part in the escalation of a winemakers career and has led to many great things for the past six winners.