2018 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Finalists 1 MB
2018 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Finalists: (Back L to R): Arco Laarman (Laarman Cellar Services at Avondale Wines), Ronell Wiid (Bartinney Private Cellar), Clayton Reabow (Môreson) and Andries Burger (Paul Cluver Estate); (Front L to R): Carl Van Der Merwe (DeMorgenzon) and Murray Barlow (Rustenberg Wines).

The finalists for the Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards have been announced. Five winemakers have been shortlisted to compete for the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award, while six will vie for the Young Winemaker of the Year title.

Diners Club introduced the Winemaker of the Year award in 1981 to encourage local winemakers to raise the standard of wines produced in South Africa. Seventeen years later the Young Winemaker of the Year award was established to encourage winemakers under the age of 30 to develop their skills, express their individuality, and add to the future prestige of South African wines internationally.

The Winemaker awards, now in its 38th year, and Young Winemaker in its 18th year, focusing on quality and recognition of excellence, are regarded as the country’s most prestigious and well-respected wine industry competition.

2018 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year Finalists 1 MB
2018 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year Finalists: (L to R): Bobby Wallace (Iona Vineyards), Juandré Bruwer (Diemersdal Estate), Philip Viljoen (Bon Courage Estate), Rudger van Wyk (Stark-Condé Wines) and Philip Theron (Glen Carlou).

The competition is open to all in the South African wine industry at no cost, affording all winemakers a shot at the sought-after titles. While other awards focus on just the wine, the Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards celebrate the skills and talent of the vintners. The awards are presented to the winemakers who produce a wine that the judging panel considers to be the best in a specified class. The categories for 2018 are Chardonnay single varietal wines for Winemaker of the Year, and Red Wines of any varietal or blend for Young Winemaker of the Year. As in previous years, winemakers can be shortlisted for more than one submission.

The field was narrowed down to the eleven finalists through rigorous judging over two days by a team of wine gurus, including renowned international judge, Michael O’Connell. All the judges agree that it will be a close race for the top prize, a clear indication that the finalist wines are outstanding. Judges examined each wine evaluating appearance, aroma, taste, aftertaste and overall impression.

The 2018 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year Finalists

Winemaker of the Year category: Chardonnay

Andries Burger – Paul Cluver Estate Wines – 2017 Seven Flags Chardonnay

Arco Laarman – Laarman Cellar Services at Avondale Wines – 2017 Chardonnay

Carl Van Der Merwe – DeMorgenzon – 2017 Reserve Chardonnay

Clayton Reabow – Môreson – 2017 Mercator Chardonnay

Murray Barlow – Rustenberg Wines – 2017 Five Soldiers Chardonnay

Ronell Wiid – Bartinney Private Cellar – 2017 Hourglass Chardonnay

Young Winemaker of the Year category: Red Wines

Bobby Wallace – Iona Vineyards – 2017 Pinot Noir

Juandré Bruwer – Diemersdal Estate – 2017 Shiraz

Philip Theron – Glen Carlou – 2017 Merlot and 2017 Curator’s Collection Malbec

Philip Viljoen – Bon Courage Estate – 2015 Inkara Cabernet Sauvignon

Rudger Van Wyk – Stark-Condé Wines – 2016 Stellenbosch Syrah

The 2018 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Judges

Michael O’Connell – International judge

Carrie Adams

Debi Van Flymen

Michael Crossley

Nomonde Kubheka

Ntsiki Biyela

The winners of both the Winemaker and the Young Winemaker of the Year awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner at La Residence Hotel in Franschhoek on 24 November 2017. The winning winemaker receives R50 000 and the Young Winemaker R25 000. Both winemakers also receive two return air tickets on Delta Airlines to any wine producing region in the USA.