This 3 day event takes place on 6, 7 & 8 November 2015.  Fri, Sat & Sun 3-9pm.

This is a unique and vibrant food, drink and music festival in the heart of Gugulethu. There will be over 60 wines to taste, a SAB Miller tent, a Food Truck Village, cooking demonstrations, and speciality beers. There will also be a BOS Marquee, masterclasses in wine and beer and an exclusive car display. 

Music is at the heart of this festival with live Jazz, live DJ’S and live music every day at the event.

This year GO GLAM in GUGS on Sat 7th November with the Best Dressed Woman's Competition and stand to win a R30,000 prize!

There will be a VIP tent sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka and MUMM Champagne.
 
Free secure parking.  Strictly over 18’s.  Event takes place at the Gugulethu Sports Stadium, NY 49.

Tickets from Computicket. Entry R120. VIP tickets R450. Tickets also available at the gate.
 
www.gugulethuwinefestival.co.za  
facebook.com/Gugulethuwinefestival
Twitter: @gugsfest

South Africa’s first ever rosé wine competition has been launched, chaired by industry personality, Allan Mullins.  

Called ‘Rosé Rocks!’, this competition seeks to recognise excellence in rosé winemaking and to promote the South African rosé category. 

9 top South African wine judges will pick the best rosé wines made in the country.

Whether your taste is for a bone dry, pale pink rosé, or something a little sweeter with a bit more body, this increasingly popular style of wine has something for everyone. Rosé is the fastest growing category of wine in South Africa. Sales have trebled between 2007 and 2014.  

Allan Mullins commented, “This is an exciting development for consumers and winemakers alike. There's no doubt about it, rosé wine has sex appeal! It’s also the most versatile of wines, great for sociable occasions and it really works well with a wide range of foods.”  

Judging will take place on the 9th September 2015. Results will be announced shortly afterwards. All wines being entered have to be produced in South Africa.  

Following the announcement of the winners there will be a wine tasting open to the public.  

To read more about this exciting new competition please visit the website: www.roserocks.co.za.

You can also follow the news on Twitter: @RoseRocksSA.

We've recently sent out a call for entries for Rosé Rocks! South Africa's first rosé wine competition, where wine guru, Allan Mullins is the judging chair.

The idea behind Rosé Rocks is to promote the rosé wine category both nationally and
internationally, and give it the boost it deserves. The Rosé Rocks! awards will recognise top labels and producers of both rosé wine and MCC in South Africa.

The awards will be held in September and will be followed by many other exciting rosé wine events.

As we gear up to welcome the arrival of autumn, people all over the Cape are flocking to the winelands to make the most of the last of the summer days, and there are few places better to while away your time than at Laborie Wine Farm.

One of the oldest operational wine farms in the country, Laborie offers a taste for every palate and delights for every age.

Taste on the Deck

This new restaurant at Laborie, is a thoughtful extension of the original tasting room, and offers glorious views of the vineyards and Paarl Rock. Here, guests can relax on the spacious deck and pair a wide range of wines and bubbly (including the award-winning 2010 Blanc de Blancs MCC) with mouth-watering charcuterie platters, tapas style dishes and even chocolate and macarons. For the little ones, Taste offers grape juice and sweeties pairings and also boasts the most picturesque jungle gym in Paarl.

Bar Di Bar 

Those looking to sample some fantastic craft beer should look no further than Laborie’s quirky and original new venue, Bar Di Bar, which offers local craft beers by the bottle or on-tap as well as tasty tapas to share. This retro addition to Laborie Wine Farm comes complete with an old-school juke box and a 1970’s Volkswagen Surfer Kombi which serves as the bar.

Harvest Restaurant

A longstanding favourite, the #KLINK award-winning Harvest restaurant continues to serve up scrumptious locally-sourced and sustainable food. Chef Matthew Gordon’s soon to be launched autumn menu is sure to tickle the taste buds. The garden terrace offers the perfect setting to take in the scenic surrounds, sip the farm’s wines and tuck into delicious, beautifully presented food.

Jonkershuis luxury self-catering accommodation

The newly-renovated Jonkershuis is the ideal accommodation option for a night spent in the winelands. Sleeping six, and tastefully decorated in Cape French style, this luxurious self-catering holiday home features a terrace with mountain views and a sparkling blue swimming pool. Jonkershuis at Laborie is currently running a special offer of R2,750 per night for the house.

For more information, visit www.laboriewines.co.za. Alternatively, phone 021 807 3390 or email info@laboriewines.co.za.

Photographs by Claire Gunn Photography.

For the wine lovers

Festival-goers will be first in line to sample this year’s harvest as Laborie begin the festivities with a young wine tasting.  Visitors are also invited to try their hand at wine blending and grape stomping - and stand a chance to win some great prizes! There will also be some not-to-be-missed wine specials for those who are looking to stock up their wine racks.

For the kids

OmmiBerg offers fun for everyone and this includes your little ones. Laborie is offering a range of child-friendly activities including egg and spoon races, sakresies (sack races), bobbing for apples, wheel barrow races, jumping castles and water slides.

Get lazy on the lawn

Laborie invites visitors to get lazy on the lawn with music all day and live performance by Slow Jack, a Cape Town based two piece Indie Folk Pop band, or take part in a game of boules.

Mouth-watering lunch specials

Laborie’s award-winning Harvest Restaurant is serving a la carte food with great specials as well as casual food like boerewors rolls and pancakes. Taste at Laborie, which proudly boasts incredible views of Paarl Rock and the most picturesque jungle gym in Paarl, is offering any 3 tapas plus a FREE glass of wine for only R90. 

Check out www.ommiberg.co.za for the full programme.

How to get tickets

Tickets are available at www.webticket.co.za @ R100.00 (R120.00 at gate) for over 18’s, accompanied children younger than 18 enter for free. The festival pass includes entry to the event, a stylish tasting glass, free participation of events and tastings as indicated, access to great live entertainment, and chances to win great prizes.

“As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.”

― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Folks sure have been captivated by oysters over the years. In fact, modern scientists attribute the origin of man to them. A small group of hominid seashore scavengers, near Mossel Bay, consumed them as a central part of their diet.

The omega and omega 3 fatty acids resulted directly in the growth in the sizes of their brains and intelligence, the human race evolved, and the rest is history.

We have a lot to thank this humble little shellfish for.

You can enjoy oysters of different sizes and ages at Mondiall on November 1st. Better still, you’ll be able to pair them with some of the countries best MCC’s, including Graham Beck Brut, Steenberg’s fantastic new sparkling sauvignon blanc, and Laborie’s multi award winning Blanc de Blanc MCC 2010.

For a different, enjoyable and interesting Saturday brunch, this is the one to go for.

For a chance to win 2 sets of free tickets to this great event follow our tweetstream on @mackspill

Steenberg is the Capes’ oldest farm, established in 1682 by the enigmatic Catherina who was the first woman land owner in South Africa. Situated against the mountains in Tokai, the views of the Cape are close enough to marvel at, but far enough to feel like you are away from the city and enjoying the peace of a luxury mountain-side resort.

KWV has won 6 trophy classes and a gold medal at the Old Mutual Wine Trophy Show 2014. This includes the Fairbairn Capital Trophy for the Most Successful Producer Overall.

The results were announced today, May 28th, at the Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town.

The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show has honoured excellence in the wine industry since 2002 and attracted 1040 entries which were tasted by 3 international and 6 local judges.

This success follows recent wins at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles International Wine Championship, which awarded gold medals to KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2013 and KWV The Mentors Semillon 2013.

Panel Chair, Michael Fridjhon, said he was “Staggered at the depth of talent” displayed in some of the big classes. “Quality now runs through the Cape wine industry from the apex of the pyramid right the way through. The wine industry is producing lots of very good wine”.

The feedback from the 9 judges puts KWV’s achievement into perspective.

Christian Eedes commented, “There is a very definite sense of a growing maturity within the industry and a growth in sophistication.” Chinese panelist and wine educator Foyngee Walker said, “A fantastic Chenin class – a real mind-blowing experience for me.” On the Chardonnay wines Trizanne Barnard noted that
“We’re getting it right. We’re making focused and detailed wines. We are not over-oaking”

Johann Fourie, Chief Winemaker at KWV, said, “We are happy with the successes of our wines, particularly against the backdrop of such an overall rise in quality and performance by the industry as a whole. It’s a  tribute to our winemaking team, our viticulturists and growers alike, that their work should be recognised like this”.

He highlighted that this is the fifth year in a row that KWV has won trophies for individual varieties. “The consistency of awards across the KWV portfolio points to the strength of our fruit sourcing and winemaking capabilities” he said. He added that he was “particularly pleased that the Muscadel Jerepigo and Red          Muscadel, from 1968 and 1930 respectively, indicates a clear golden thread running from the earlier days of KWV’s fine winemaking, showing that the commitment to quality continues through to the increasing successes today of not only KWV The Mentors range, but the entire KWV portfolio.”

In addition to winning the Fairbairn Capital Trophy for Most Successful Overall Producer, they won the following trophy classes; Best Museum Class Fortified Wine – KWV White Muscadel 1968; Best Museum Class Red Blend – Roodeberg 1995; Best Semillon Trophy – KWV The Mentors Semillon 2013; Best Museum Class Overall Trophy – KWV White Muscadel Jerepigo 1968; Harold Eedes Best Chenin Blanc – KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2013 and finally, a gold for KWV Vintage Muscadel 1930.

Last Friday evening saw 100 Johannesburg women gather at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton for the third annual Ultra Liquors 100 Women 100 Wines judging competition.

Their job was to taste their way through a few hundred wines and, in teams of 10, pick their favourites according to the 10 drinking occasion they were judging.

The top winners in each category are;

GIRLS NIGHT OUT
Don Simon Sangria

CELEBRATION
Boschendal Brut Rose

WINTER WARMER
Beyerskloof Pinotage

BEST BRAAI WINE
KWV Bon Esperance

ULTRA SPECIAL WINESKWV The Mentors Orchestra

SUMMER SIPPING
DGB St.Anna.

PASTA PARTY
Haute Cabriere Pinot Noir

WORKING WEEK
Du Toitskloof Pinotage

LONG LUNCH
St.Claire

ROMANCE IN A GLASS
Amani I am I

The 100 judges won their places at the competition by entering through Destiny Magazine, one of the event sponsors, along with Imam Cosmetics and The Maslow Hotel.
Many of the women were new to wine, but nevertheless they established very quickly what they liked, or disliked. A quick swirl and a sip, pause, have a think and a chat with a friend. Toss it in the spitoon or drink it back. Easy!
Women buy and drink most of the wine in South Africa. Which means they make most of the purchase decisions.
This means they have a minute or less in the wine aisle to make a choice. A few factors come into play here; price, brand familiarity, label design and shelf positioning.
But perhaps the strongest influencing factor is word of mouth, or personal experience; that red at last weeks braai; the delicious white blend that you had at a friends book club meeting, or what your friend actually recommended.
The most important wine critic to these women are their friends.
The full list of winning wines will be on promotional display in selected Ultra Liquors outlets.
Ultra Liquors 100 Women 100 Wines. 2013. Results.


GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Don Simon Sangria
Haute Cabriere Tranquille
Warwick Three Cape Ladies
Robertson Bukkettraube
Groote Post Chenin
Zorgvliet Silvermyn Sauvignon Blanc
La Motte Sauvignon Blanc
Warwick 1st Lady
Cloof Ruby Darling
Allee Bleue Starlette Rouge


CELEBRATION

Boschendal Brut Rose
Graham Beck Brut
JC Le Roux Rose
Simonsig Rose
Simonsig MCC
Krone Borealis
Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay MCC
Laborie Brut
Graham Beck Rose MCC
JC Le Roux Brut


WINTER WARMER

Beyerskloof Pinotage
Kanonkop Kadette
Laborie Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
Alto Cabernet Sauvignon
Diemersdal Shiraz
Secret Cellar Red Blend STS
Hartenberg Cab Shiraz
Bellingham Mocha Java Merlot
Darling Cellars Black Granite Shiraz
Flagstone Longitude Red Blend


BEST BRAAI WINE

KWV Bonne Esperance Select Red
Obikwa Shiraz
Obikwa Moscato
Savanha Cabernet Sauvignon
Tall Horse Merlot
KWV Cafe Culture
Darling Cellars Chenin
Graca Rose
Two Oceans Cab Sauv
Tall Horse Cab Shiraz


ULTRA SPECIAL WINES

KWV The Mentors Orchestra
Tokara Sauvignon Blanc
Rupert and Rothschild Classique
Cederberg Merlot
Groot Constantia Rood
Solms Astor Langarm
Klein Constantia Cab Sauv
La Motte Millenium
Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc
Nederburg Baronne


SUMMER SIPPING

St.Anna
Two Oceans Quay 5 Blush
Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc
Cederberg Rose
Jordan Sauvignon Blanc
Secret Cellar Chardonnay
Orange River Cellars Chenin Blanc
Beach House
Leopards Leap Sauvignon Blanc
De Grendel Rose


PASTA PARTY

Haute Cabriere Pinot Noir
Mulderbosch Faithful Hound
Melck’s Shiraz Cab Sauv.
Graham Beck Game Reserve Chardonnay
Neethlingshof Gewurtztraminer
Tokara Sauvignon Blanc
Zevenwacht Sauvignon Blanc
Tangled Tree Cab Sauv
Du Toitskloof Cabernet Sauvignon
Bellingham Ancient Earth Chardonnay


WORKING WEEK

Du Toitskloof Pinotage
Wolftrap Shiraz Mourvedre
De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc
Barista Pinotage
Spier Merlot
KWV Bonne Esperance Select White
Vondeling Petit Blanc
Arabella Sauvignon Blanc
Glen Carlou Chardonnay
Secateurs Chenin


ROMANCE IN A GLASS

Amani I am 1
Zevenwacht Merlot
Nederburg 56 Hundred Cab Sauv
Meerlust Red
Le Bonheur Prima
Vondeling Petit Rouge
Glenelly GC Cabernet
Boland Cappupinoccinotage
Iona Sophie Te’blanche
Allesverloren Shiraz


LONG LUNCH

St.Claire
Van Loveren Colombard
Two Oceans Quay 5 White
Theuniskraal Moscato
Beach House Rose
KWV Classic Chenin Blanc
Drosty Hof Light
Table Bay Chenin
Pecan Stream Chenin
Kleine Zalze Chenin.

The Ultra Liquors 100 Women 100 Wines competition, SA’s most unique wine judging competition, takes place in Johannesburg this Friday at the snazzy Maslow Hotel in Sandton.

100 women, all wine lovers, will converge on the ballroom to sniff, swirl and sip their way through a selection of South Africa’s most popular wines.

The competition seeks to recognize the importance of female consumers to the wine industry in South Africa and is proudly sponsored by Ultra Liquors. This is the third year of this successful competition.

“70% of the purchase decisions for wine are made by women. Most wine in SA is bought in Gauteng/Johannesburg, by women, and we are delighted to partner with The Maslow Hotel and Sun International to host this prestigious event” comments Mark Norrish, General Manager Wines, at Ultra Liquors.

The women will be grouped in teams of ten, and will have to nominate their favourite wines, according to drinking occasions. “Which is how people drink in real life”, comments Mark. “The wine you drink on a cold winter’s night will be completely different from the wine you enjoy at a braai with your friends and family” he adds.

The drinking occasions are;

Girls night out.
Celebration.
Winter warmer.
Best braai wine.
Ultra special.
Summer sipping.
Pasta party.
Working week.
Romance in a glass.
Long lunch.

There’ll 10 winners in each category, and an overall winner per category.

The winning 100 wines will all be available for sale in Ultra Liquors and will feature in a special display promotion during February and March.

The Maslow, Sandton’s most happening hotel, is awarding a luxury weekend for two to a lucky judge, and other great surprise prizes, including Lindt chocolate hampers.

Clare Mack, of Spill Communications, organisers of the event, commented; “This is our third year running the Ultra Liquors 100 Women 100 Wines. It has evolved from a great occasion where we hosted women from all over South Africa in Cape Town, to an event where we are focussing on what people call “The Main Market”; black middle class, professional, Johannesburg women, in Johannesburg. As a growing wine consumer category they are a vital part of the success of the wine industry in South Africa.”

“At past events it has been clear that they have a growing desire to experiment with different styles of wines, and what’s wonderful to see is that they have none of the traditional prejudices about what, when, where, or how to drink wine. It’s quite refreshing actually!” she adds.