Thursday, 5 September, 2013
Orange River Cellars
These are the major reasons why Orange River Cellars, based in the Upington region, continues to be a star performer at the Best Value Wine Awards. Adjudged to be South Africa’s Best Value Cellar for 2013, this year’s Competition saw Orange River Winery once again obtain a commanding presence in the 2014 Best Value Awards results list.
The Orange River Colombard 2013, made from one of the Northern Cape’s signature grape varieties, was chosen among the superior list of 22 Merit Awards. The Red Muscadel 2012 and White Jerepiko NV achieved Four Stars, while eight other wines made it into the Best Value Guide: White Muskadel 2012, Sweet Hanepoot NV, Cape Ruby 2012, Red Jerepiko NV, Natural Sweet Rosé 2013, Nouveau Natural Sweet 2013, Brut Sparkling 2013 and Sparkling Rosé 2013
Some 472 wallet-friendly wines of premium quality made it into this year’s Best Value Guide, chosen from well over 1000 entries.
According to Koos Visser, Orange River Cellars marketing manager, the Best Value Competition encapsulated the wineries’ ethos.
“As a wine producer, our aim is twofold,” he says. “First, we are committed to making a diverse range of wines that express the uniqueness of our wine region along the banks of the Orange River in the Upington region. A totally unique terroir – over 800km from the traditional Cape winelands – allows us to offer a special taste of place in our products. The second goal is to over deliver in terms of quality by giving the customer a better wine than he or she pays for. These Best Value Awards most definitely indicate that we are on the right track and the wine industry can be prepared for still greater things from the Orange River.”
Visser says that the dramatic increase in quality in the Orange River wines can be placed at the door of the wineries 970 member producers who are committed to producing quality grapes, as well as the sterling work done by the viticulturalists and wine-makers.
“This three-way partnership has helped the region towards reaching its full potential as a major wine producer, and we sincerely believe the best is yet to come.”
Orange River Cellars is based in Upington and vinifies grapes at its cellars in Kakamas, Keimoes, Grootdrink and Groblershoop, as well as in Upington itself.