Top 100 SA Wines News

Three hundred lucky locals attended the hugely successful wine tasting festival at the Waterfront at Cape Town on Thursday. With South Africa’s top 100 wines available for tasting, together with the wine maker in attendance, it was not at all surprising that the event was so successful and an absolute sell-out.

The festive atmosphere was underpinned by the seriousness of the tasting of the wines, a task not undertaken lightly nor undervalued by those attending the event.

Simone Garner from One&Only Cape Town stated:  “An exceptional quality of guest attended the prestigious event, unsurprisingly so given the level of wines available to be tasted.  As this was our first year to host the event we were extremely happy with how it turned out and with the positive feedback that we received.”

Boela Gerber from Groot Constantia quoted: “The high quality of attendee was a brilliant fit for our two Reserve wines, both Top 100 winners this year.”

Duncan Savage, resident winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards, commented further: “ This was an awesome event to participate in.  It speaks volumes when our great wines can be shown in such privileged and genteel surroundings.”

Gary Jordan from top producer Jordan Wine Estate said: “ This is the establishment of note in the Cape.  How fitting that the discerning public can taste some of SA’s best wines in such surroundings.  We were delighted to showcase our five winning wines at this benchmark affair.”

Teddy Hall offered further insight: “ This brand is about showing our greatest SA wines to national and international connoisseurs and buyers, and this it does in spadesful.  We’re very pleased with the promotion programme for our winning two wines and doing so at the One&Only is an absolute pleasure.”

Mulderbosch wine maker Adam Mason had this to add: “ The public were relaxed and in no hurry to rush through. Insightful questions could be properly answered as our two winning wines were sampled by discerning palates.  This bodes well for our fine wines and the future of our fine wine industry.”

Cybercellar promoted sales on the night of the 2012 / 2013 book, as well as the winning wines, through a new, dedicated Top 100 iPad App, a first for the Top 100 wine-buying public.

This annual event is clearly now a fixture on the fine wine calendar of Cape Town.  It presents a unique opportunity to mingle with the countries best winemakers and to enjoy the most noteworthy wines of 2012.

Joanne McGilvray from Top 100 SA Wines concluded: “The glamour and luxury of the surroundings helped to identify the special nature of the fine wines being showcased.  We have been inundated with positive feedback from guests who all appeared to thoroughly enjoy the evening.”

The eagerly awaited winning wines from South Africa’s Top 100
Wine Challenge were announced last night together with the launch
of the new edition book Top 100 SA Wines and Wine Lists 2012. The country’s
greatest winemakers, vineyard representatives and owners, together with
their partners, celebrated in customary style at Rodwell House in St. James,
with a jazz band, canapés, awards ceremony and then the unveiling and
tasting of the winning Top 100 wines.

As stated by Lynne Sherriff MW, Chairman, Masters of Wine Institute: “The decision to draw upon the
experience and knowledge of internationally renowned Masters of Wine as judges is a clear
commitment to rigour and quality.”

From overall entries of a little under 400 of South Africa’s best wines, the 100 winning wines
included 4 MCC bubblies, 38 white wines, 51 red wines, 2 natural sweets and 4 port style wines.

Tim Atkin MW judging chairman quotes: “This is one of the best organised events I have been involved
with, a first class affair.  The quality of the wines entered this year made the judges’ task
exceptionally difficult.  I am proud of the wines that came through the rigours of the judging process.”

Higgo Jacobs, tasting director, reflects: “The quality of entered wines was of the highest level.
The Thursday shootout was between 60 possible worthy winners, to potentially join the already
passed ‘definite’ wines in completing the Top 100 list.   Starting at 8AM, marginal wines
were retasted up to three times each (and a minimum of twice), by as many as three panels.
By 4PM it was not over.  Compare that to last year’s half-day playoff. Without any doubt this
was a remarkably difficult task.”

Gary Jordan of highly regarded Jordan Wine Estate notes: “We are delighted to top the charts
this year with a total of five of our wines selected as Top 100 winners.  The investment in our
vineyards and care and attention to both vineyard and cellar practices is clearly paying dividends
when respected international judges award wines across our entire range. Two Best Value awards
were a further endorsement.”

Dewaldt Heyns from acclaimed Saronsberg comments:  “For us it’s always about quality.
Top 100 SA Wines applies rigorous judging methodology and uses world class judges and this
approach appeals to us.  The recognition we have gained with four winning wines plus two Best Value
awards this year is a fantastic endorsement of our terroir, our wine styles and of the efforts
of the Saronsberg team in our relentless pursuit of quality.”

David Niewoudt from renowned Cederberg Private Cellar states: “The power of the Top 100 SA Wine
brand and its global footprint appeals to our commitment and focus on effectively distributing our
fine wines worldwide.   With four winning wines this year, our vineyard sites and viticulture practices
speak for themselves.  We are thrilled that our wine quality is so consistently highly regarded
by top international judges.”

Jasper Raats from top Longridge Wine Estate shares: “The team is ecstatic with receiving three
Top 100 awards as well as two Best Value awards this year.  This recognition endorses our top quality
focus and is tremendous for our brand and consumer appeal.  We are especially happy that our
Chardonnay is a repeat winner!  Top 100’s year-long promotion strategy is a unique and compelling
feature that suits our market focus and is the reason we take part in it.”

Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar records: “The production team is over the moon regarding the results.
Having three wines included in the Top 100 is a fantastic achievement of which we are all really proud.
The bonus of also winning three Best Value awards proves that drinking great wines does not mean
having to break the bank.”

Overall consistency standings for Top 100 winning vineyards over the 2011 and 2012 Challenges put
Cederberg and Saronsberg as joint winners at nine wines each, Jordan with seven winning wines, followed
by Oldenburg and Simonsig with five winning wines each.

A new feature this year was the introduction of innovative Best Value Awards.  These were awarded to
Top 100 winning wines with a typical retail price of ≤ R120 for red wines and ≤ R100 for white wines.
There were a total of 29 Best Value awards granted, fantastic news for consumers in tough times.

Robin von Holdt adds: “It is both pleasing and encouraging to see our dynamic wine industry positively
partnering with Top 100 SA Wines.  We jointly seek to promote finest SA wines both in SA and abroad. 
Stalwarts such as Allée Bleue, Anwilka, Bon Courage, Boschendal, Bosman, Cape Point, Diemersdal,
Groot Constantia, Hamilton Russell, Ken Forrester, Klein Constantia, La Motte, L’Avenir, Le Riche,
Miles Mossop, Mulderbosch, Neethlingshof, Oldenburg, Overgaauw, Paul Cluver, Raats, Rickety Bridge,
Rustenburg, Saxenburg, Simonsig, Starke Condé, Sumaridge, Teddy Hall, The Bernard Series, Tokara,
Vondeling and many others, are indicative of the support that we so greatly value from our
talented wine makers.  New blood is always a profound and welcome measure.  It is therefore both
exciting and relevant to see the likes of Avontuur, Boplaas, Bredell’s, Calitzdorp, Dalla Cia,
Doolhof, Driehoek, Eenzaamheid, Eikendal, Elgin Heights, Elgin Vintners, Ernie Els, Glenwood,
Jean Daneel, Kanu, Landau, Lomond, Louis, Mount Sutherland, Nelson, Nitida, Rietvallei, Shannon,
Swartland, The High Road, Tierhoek, Van Loveren, Vilafonté, Warwick, Wildekrans and others,
stake their place in the sun with us too.”

Positive feedback from vineyards leaves the Top 100 team delighted with the success of the 2012
Challenge and the emerging power of their consumer friendly ‘demyth the bunk’ slogan.  The brand is
already recognised as a leading consumer label both in SA and abroad.  It enjoys a massive Google
rating, a high-growth digital footprint with tens of thousands of airwaves followers.  This is all
very good news for winning vineyards, as they engage in the battle to win and to grow their own
recognition, distribution, sales and global market share.

The 2012 Top 100 SA Wines and Wine lists book is now available to purchase directly from winning
vineyards, restaurants and from www.top100sawines.com.  The book provides consistent, useful,
accurate information on each winning wine and producer. Each winning wine is profiled on a two
page spread with producer and wine details and also incisive comments from the judges and winemaker.
The 287 pages also contain industry stats and information, feature articles, full colour maps
and imagery. This year’s publication includes details on Top 100 restaurants wine-list winners,
with contact details and QR links for easy booking.

Visitvineyards.com – wine magazine quotes: “An excellent introduction, thorough and rigorous,
to the best wines in South Africa, and highly recommended at the price.”

Top 100 SA Wines is pleased to now offer Public Tasting Festivals of winning wines as follows:

Thursday 10th May at One&Only, VA Waterfront, CT.  Doors open at 17h30

Thursday 17th May at Hyatt Regency in Rosebank, JHB.  Doors open at 17h30

These offer the opportunity to taste the 100 winning wines in style and comfort with attendant wine makers.
To purchase tickets visit www.webtickets.co.za   Tickets are limited so do please book early.

Alphabetically listed Top 100 winning wines from the 2012 Challenge:

Robin von Holdt interviews Higgo Jacobs, the 2012 Challenge Tasting Director.  Watch the YouTube clip here.

We share with you our latest update for the 2012 Challenge:

1.    Judging panels

We have recently been contacted by Jenny Radcliffe-Wright who was hospitalised in Austria following a serious skiing incident.  Jenny was due to have taken part as a judge for the second Top 100 SA Wines 2012 Challenge next week.  Due to the severity if the accident, Jenny is immobilised and, although she is now back in SA, will remain immobile for some weeks to come.  I am sure that you will join us in wishing Jenny a full and speedy recovery.  The consequence of this is that Jenny obviously cannot now partake as a judge. We have been unable at the last minute to find a judge of her competence and calibre.  Given that each panel is made up of three judges, we have had no choice but to request Kenny Ohashi and Anthony Gismondi to stand down from this year’s event.   We are grateful for their kind cooperation in these circumstances.

The remaining two high quality panels are well equipped and able to comprehensively taste and fully assess the fine wine entries already received for the 2012 Top 100 SA Wine Challenge, so the matter is fully in-hand.

Jenny adds: ‘I was looking forward very much to judging at this prestigious event in Cape Town and am most disappointed at the unexpected turn of events.  Unfortunately I will have to put this on hold till 2013, and now concentrate my full efforts on a full and complete physical recovery.’  Robin concurred:  ‘ Whilst it’s a great pity that Jenny, and the third panel of judges, now cannot partake in the 2012 Challenge, the quality of the event and judging the fine wine outcomes will in no way be prejudiced by this unfortunate turn of events.’

2.    Panels and Deputy Chairs

Judging panels will be structured as follows:

• Tim Atkin MW – Chair.  As before, Tim will taste all of the wines that are assessed by both panels.
• Deputy Chair – Jamie Goode, assisted by Greg Sherwood MW and Duncan Savage.
• Deputy Chair – Richard Kershaw MW, assisted by Madeleine Stenwreth MW and Monty Waldin.

3.    Appointment of Auditor

We are pleased to confirm that Chartered Accountants Georges Willis and Company have been appointed by Top 100 SA Wines cc to independently audit the results of the 2012 Challenge.

4.    Judges feedback and Q&A session Thursday 29^th at 18h00 at Devonvale Club, Stellenbosch

Please contact Joanne, Cheryl or Ren to book your place(s) for this informative session.

We wish all wines entered a strong tailwind during judging week, which starts next week on Monday 26^th.

Last week Top 100 SA Wines took pleasure in announcing their latest strategic relationship with new commercial partner The Portfolio Collection.  Inbound tourists are key, affluent players in the unfolding SA fine-wine story.  Top 100 SA Wines is committed to capturing the attention of wine tourists in order to facilitate their wine experience and enjoyment.  We also want them to buy your winning wines.

We are therefore delighted to now share with you another progressive step aimed to make this happen.  A trio of highly regarded wine makers that include Jonathan Snashall, Philip Costandius and Richard Hilton are the latest partners to join Top 100 SA Wines in an exciting wine tourism venture.  The team now offers bespoke, private, inside-track wine tours.  The aim is to provide international travellers with a definitive, unique set of wine centric experiences, here in the world’s most beautiful winelands.

States Snashall – ‘Game drives in big 5 country require expertly trained guides; no different in the wine lands, where expertise is the differentiating factor.’  Adds Hilton – ‘Inside track, or unknown outsider, take your pick. We give you the personal introductions, arrange private discussions, as well as maintain your privacy.’  Costandius concludes further – ‘Tailored wineland adventures are in vogue. Tasting wines, as a simple function, is really very easily achieved.  This is not our approach. We seek to understand what it truly is that the family, or group, seek to achieve or learn, on their special holiday.  We then ensure a tailored programme of events that will meet their stated objectives.  Client satisfaction, that’s what this venture is about.’

Concludes von Holdt – ‘This is not about a minor shift in approach to touring wine lands.  We are clear about our value proposition.  We ensure that professional wine makers who are themselves uniquely equipped, can now offer an in-depth expert experience to wine tourists.  Working in cooperation with Top 100 winning vineyards, the wine tourists are now best placed to gain a compelling and unforgettable outing, including buying the finest wines to enjoy back home’

Top 100 SA Wines is an innovative fine-wine brand management and promotion business with local and global reach and activity. Following the success of the inaugural Top 100 SA Wines Challenge in early 2011, and book launch, the brand has grown in stature and recognition. It recently launched successfully the Top 100 SA Wine Lists Challenge. The 2012 Challenge is now open for entries.

Top 100 SA Wines is an innovative fine-wine brand management and promotion business with local and global reach and activity. Following the success of the inaugural Top 100 SA Wines Challenge in early 2011, and book launch, the brand has grown in stature and recognition. It recently launched successfully the Top 100 SA Wine Lists Challenge. The 2012 Challenge is now open for entries.

Top 100 continually seeks strategic partnerships and alliances with other strong and successful businesses. This enables both parties to leverage their offering, resulting in additional stakeholder and brand value. We are delighted to announce that Portfolio Collection, long considered the trusted source of places to stay, is now partnering with Top 100 in an approach aimed at bringing new levels of awareness and opportunities to travellers who love fine wine and food experiences here in SA.

Portfolio Collection has built a reputation both in South Africa and abroad for selecting the finest guest houses, boutique hotels, country houses, game lodges and B&Bs. For the first time, the 2012 Portfolio Collection brings all their personally selected establishments together into one guide.

Fine wine experiences, wine touring and excellent dining experiences are cornerstone activities enjoyed by the majority of affluent inbound tourists. So too is the purchase of wines. These are experiences that they will rate and reflect on with fond memories, returning to experience again if sufficiently impressed and satisfied.

Top 100 SA Wines and Portfolio Collection have plans for the Cape Wine and Vindaba event taking place at the CTICC on 25 to 27 September 2012. States Top 100’s Robin Von Holdt: “Top 100 SA Wines is developing leading-edge plans to capitalise fully on all aspects of its powerful wine brand and superb portfolio of awarded vineyards and restaurants. Wine tourism is a natural and logical extension to our activities.”

Top 100 SA Wines and Portfolio Collection have each taken an advert in one another’s 2012 edition books. Both books enjoy national and international distribution. Both parties intend to capitalise further on the high growth and exciting area of wine tourism and to develop further interest and create new potential markets for the benefit of their key stakeholders.

Q – Please can you advise who the judges are at this competition and how they are selected? Is it an International Panel?

A – We organise to bring to SA only the best and most highly regarded judges.  Seven of the judges are international – from Canada, UK, Italy, Japan and Sweden.  Four of the judges are MW’s.  Three of the judges are SA of whom one, Richard Kershaw, is also an MW.  The event is chaired by Tim Atkin MW.

http://www.top100sawines.com/judges.php will take you to the judge’s page of the website.

Q – We are not a Vineyard but a Garagiste Winery. We make a small quantity of wine.  Can we enter?

A – We welcome all Garagiste entries.

Q – I don’t seem to find any specific categories in which the wines will be judged.  Could you please clarify this?

A – All wines will be judged in similar flights.  So for example your Blanc de Blanc will be judged together with other Blanc de Blanc’s; Pinot Noir with other Pinot Noirs, and so on.

We share a short update on recent positive events as well as progress aimed to benefit your vineyards:

1. The Early Bird ended and we now enter the final three week period remaining in which to enter your wines. A big thanks to all those vineyards who have already entered and to those vineyards who have affirmed plans to do so. It’s tough times for all of us (yes, Top 100 included,) and we need, and value, your support enormously.

2. A very exciting announcement! Top 100 have entered into yet another strategic brand venture to bring traffic to your wines. WhatsoninCapeTown.com is one of the fastest growing and most highly regarded quick reference online guides to events in greater Cape Town. The aim now is to bring greater wine awareness to inbound travellers to the Cape as well as to locals. Top 100 vineyards data will now get fed into travel diaries at an earlier stage. Our simple aim: Get your wines to them and their wallet spend to you. Read more…

3. The 2012 book production is in full swing. If not already done so please read this announcement. We are thrilled with the new team of professionals in place who are ensuring that the second edition will be an exciting step-up. (The past publisher recently issued an incorrect press release. It was unnecessary to do so as well as untrue. We affirm too, that it was Top 100 who terminated the role of Cheviot Publishing, in writing on 16 February 2012, and not the other way round as claimed).

4. Robin will be calling vineyards over the next few weeks to take queries and clarify any further points.

5. Updated Q & A’s are now uploaded to the web and blog for easy reference. The point about QR codes is useful reference material. Particularly so if you subscribe to effective marketing, global customer patterns, and loyalty to your own brand. Do take a minute…

Good luck in the vineyards!
All the best from the Top 100 team

Top 100 SA Wines is an innovative fine-wine brand management and promotion business with local and global reach and activity. Following the success of the inaugural Top 100 SA Wines Challenge in early 2011, and its book launch soon after, the brand has grown in stature and recognition. It recently successfully launched the Top 100 SA Wine Lists Challenge. The 2012 Wine Challenge is now open for entries.

Top 100 continually seeks strategic partnerships and alliances with other successful entities and emerging businesses. This enables both parties to leverage their offering, resulting in additional stakeholder and brand value and sales opportunities. Top 100 SA Wines is delighted to announce that WhatsoninCapeTown, one of the fastest growing and most highly regarded quick reference online guides to events in the Cape Town area, is now partnering with Top 100 with the intention of bringing greater wine awareness to inbound travellers as well as to locals.

Daisy Ions developed and built the brand and footprint of WhatsoninCapeTown so successfully that it has become the events diary of choice for concierges and top guest houses and hotels across Cape Town – people who need to know exactly what is going on and when – and the site has exciting progression plans in play.

Fine wine experiences, vineyard visits and wine buying are core activities to a large number of tourists and they are often guided in their choice of activity by sites such as WhatsoninCapeTown.

States Ions: “Working and co-operating with Top 100 SA Wines is a formative and focussed step for us. We share with Top 100 a drive to provide succinct information and there is a strong correlation between our guides: we are both promoting the South African wine industry whether via the product itself or via the events and destinations associated with the product. As such we share a large audience.” Von Holdt adds: “Leveraging the point of contact with an emerging media business extends our own footprint. Most importantly it gives winning vineyards an edge as they get fed into the plans and timetables of travellers as well as local consumers.”

Both companies will be featured on each other’s websites. Information sharing including events and consumer diaries will be communicated by both channels to each other’s databases. Further plans are under discussion with regards to promotion and brand opportunities.