2013 Champion at Paarl Wine Awards

Tuesday, 3 September, 2013

Ayama Wines

Hooray - a double whammy at the Paarl Wine Route Challenge this week when our Chenin Blanc 2012 was crowned Champion Wine for 2013 in the Chenin Blanc category, and Ayama Merlot 2012 was first runner-up in the "Winemakers' Choice" category!

We have loved Chenin since we 'met' it on our first visit to South Africa nearly 10 years ago. We believe in this varietal, and it has become our mascot since we enjoyed our first bottle (Perdeberg Co-op Chenin out of Slent grapes) on our farm in January 2004 when we first met Chris New, the previous owner. We sat in the sun drinking Chenin, and went back to Paarl loving Chris very much, with SLENT at the top of our "shopping list" for farms. Being crowned as CHAMPIONS after a few years of winemaking was a magic moment.

The whole evening was a fairy-tale. When we arrived at the ceremony, no-one had any idea who would win the trophy. Our many friends and colleagues at the venue were chatting about the cold and rainy winter we were experiencing.