The first hotel in Central and Eastern Africa to secure this highly contested Restaurant Wine List Award from the authoritative Wine Spectator Magazine in the USA, the 5-star Sankara Nairobi owes its accomplishment to the successful partnership with the Dalla Cia’s. Recognising the growth in wine appreciation in Kenya, the owners of the luxurious Sankara Nairobi, put their faith in Dalla Cia expertise to source their wines and compile a world-class wine list for their stylish restaurant and wine bar, The Gallery. “We are very proud to be associated with Sankara Nairobi. Through their vision and commitment, together we have achieved a decisive platform for wine appreciation in Central Africa. To have won this prestigious Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine for the wine list we compiled for them, is a phenomenal achievement,” says George Dalla Cia, who is ready to take on the next challenge. George ascribes much of their success in sourcing outstanding wines to the good relationships they have established over the years with fellow South African wine producers. “As wine producers this collaboration has been an eye-opener for us and confirms the vast scope of potential business right on our doorstep. Our objective is to take this model further, exploring full wine solutions for top hotels in other African countries,” George adds. The annual Wine Spectator Restaurant Wine List Awards recognise restaurants and bars across the world for exceptional wine lists that offer variety, quality and above all, appeal to a wide range of tastes. The Gallery comprises two custom built, refrigerated wine walls accommodating 1 000 bottles and an elegant onyx bar, setting the tone for a distinctive experience and showcasing the best in wine. In compiling The Gallery’s exclusive wine list of over 200 different wines, most of which are unavailable elsewhere in Kenya, the Dalla Cia’s focused on exceptional quality, authenticity and value. Whilst top South African wines feature prominently on the list, wines from other regions of the world including France, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, are also represented. Underpinning The Gallery’s accessibility and friendly approach to wine culture, the impressive wine-by-the-glass menu offers 20 different well-priced wines, including a house wine specially selected="true"="true"="true"="true" by Giorgio Dalla Cia, affording wine lovers the opportunity to try new, unexpected wines. In addition to opening new markets in Africa for the South African wine industry, the Dalla Cia’s are also involved in chef and sommelier training and exchanges as well as arranging gourmet wine pairing evenings with other winemakers and wine estates. To qualify for the prestigious Wine Spectator Restaurant Wine List Awards which attracted more than 5 000 entrants this year, submissions had to include current wine lists with detailed information on the wines and their producers as well as accompanying food menus. Prior to the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2011, Sankara Nairobi made the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List this year as well as the Wallpaper Best Business Hotels 2010 listing. For further information on their new Wine List Consulting venture, call the Dalla Cia Wine and Spirit Company at +27 (0)21 888 4120 or visit www.dallacia.com.