Friday, 9 November, 2007
Splash PR & Media Consultants
United Bulk has sponsored the Winemaker of the Year award for the past 13 years. The company provides the trophy as well as a R20,000 contribution towards the winner undertaking an educational wine visit abroad.
The 30 wine producers entered in the competition were judged according to five criteria:
1. Results at the SA National Young Wine Show 2007
2. Results at Veritas 2007
3. Their contribution towards the promotion of the region’s image
4. Their national awards and achievements
5. Their international awards
“Our company has been involved with the Winemaker of the Year for the past 13 years as we believe that it is important to give back to the local community and especially to one in which we are heavily involved. We are extremely proud to be associated with such progressive wine regions as Worcester and Breedekloof,” said Patrick Pols of United Bulk.
It has been a golden year for Lategan, as his Bergsig Chardonnay 2005 was awarded a gold medal at the prestigious Chardonnay du Monde 2007 in France. The latest vintage, the Bergsig Chardonnay 2006, was named the top Chardonnay at the 2007 SA Terroir Wine Awards.
Bergsig Estate also won two golds, for its Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and its Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, at the 2007 Michelangelo International Wine Awards.
Lategan also brought home 10 medals from Veritas 2007, including gold for his Bergsig Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, his Pinotage 2005 and his Bainskloof Touriga Nacional 2006.
It is the second time in three years that Lategan has been named winemaker of the year for the Breedekloof and Worcester wine regions. Lategan is a direct descendent of Willem Lategan, who in 1843, planted the first vineyards in the Breede Valley, and in his acceptance speech he said the award was the one closest to his heart.
Sarel van Staden of Merwida Riverstone Vineyards was awarded the Breedekloof / Worcester Swart Piet trophy in recognition of his hard work and dedication behind the scenes in making the annual Breedekloof and Worcester Young Wine Show a success.
For more information visit
www.breedekloof.com or call Breedekloof Wine and Tourism on (023) 349-1791.
Captions:
1. Winemaker De Wet Lategan stands between Patrick Pols, right, and Loyiso Ngqameni of sponsors United Bulk.
2. Piet le Roux, left, stands beside Sarel van Staden who won the Breedekloof/Worcester Swart Piet trophy.