SA wine shortlisted for premier award

Ray Smuts COMPETING FOR top accolades against the world's premier wineries is no walk in the park, so Neethlingshof Estate is particularly honoured to be the only South African winery shortlisted for the prestigious Robert Mondavi Winemaker of the Year trophy to be announced in London on October 29. Should the Stellenbosch estate, pitted against nine other candidates, walk away with top honours, it will only be the fourth South African winner since Gunter BrÕzel won it in 1985 while cellarmaster of Nederburg. (Other South African winners are Beyers Truter of Kanonkop in 1991 and Altus le Roux of Boland Kellers last year). The estate also secured a second gold medal for the Lord Neethling Cabernet Franc 1999, giving it two of a total of 12 gold medals awarded to South African producers in this year's competition. In a separate development, Paul Cluver Wines of Elgin is to expand its vineyards and production capacity following a 200% increase in demand over last year. Some 12 ha of vineyards are being planted this year and 50 over the next five years, all geared toward increasing exports significantly. That the Paul Cluver product is highly regarded is borne out by the respected British magazine Wine rating its 2000 Pinot Noir as one of the top five in South Africa.