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As South Africans, we
celebrated our rich
heritage on 24 September
around the braai-fire
with friends and family.
When we have something
to celebrate, we light
fires and prepare great
feasts. It is the South
African way! In
Stellenbosch, we are
celebrating prestigious
awards and upcoming
events, which I would
like to share with you.
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As Stellenbosch American
Express® Wine Routes we
are constantly working
towards our missions,
one of them being to
capture ambassadors for
Stellenbosch and the
bigger wine industry.
During the month of
September six students,
as well as one lecturer
from the University of
Johannesburg’s School of
Hospitality and Tourism
spent three days in
Stellenbosch and
surrounds to learn more
about South Africa’s
wine capital.
This is the fifth group
of students in three
years visiting
Stellenbosch. The aim of
these visits is to
provide students with a
true feeling for
Stellenbosch and the
South African wine
culture, as well as
building loyalty towards
the Stellenbosch brand.
The visit included a
wine course, cellar
tours and visits to most
of Stellenbosch’s top
tourism destinations and
restaurants. Ken
Forrester, chairman of
the Stellenbosch
American Express® Wine
Routes, as well as Colin
Bridger of the
Bergkelder, are both
alumni at the University
of Johannesburg’s School
of Hospitality and
Tourism.
By exposing this group
of students to the
Stellenbosch culture,
food and wine
experiences, we believe
the Stellenbosch brand
will top their list when
they become influential
young professionals in
the gastronomy industry.
N Zungu (lecturer), TS Soo (student), JJ Gregory (student), Annareth Bolton (Stellenbosch Wine Routes), Elmarie Rabe (Stellenbosch Wine Routes), Christa Naude (Stellenbosch Wine Routes), L Thlapane (student), R Ferreira (student), W Fisher (student), S Peterson (student) | | |
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One of our members, De Toren, have been
nominated as the New
World Winery of the Year
by Wine Enthusiast
Magazine. The winners
will be announced in the
special December 15th
Wine Star Award issue,
and the honorees will be
presented their Wine
Star Award trophies at a
gala black-tie dinner in
New York City on January
30th, 2012.
Congratulations to Emil
and his team, this is a
truly wonderful
achievement. For the
full list of nominees,
click
HERE. |
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Another one of our
members, Spier, was
named producer of the
year at the 11th Mundus
Vini Great International
Wine Awards in Germany.
This year 6 028 wines
from 42 countries were
entered, making this
prestigious competition,
the world's largest recognised wine
competition.
Congratulations to Frans
and his team, for flying
the Stellenbosch flag!
For the full story,
click
HERE. |
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The Spur Lourensford MTB Classic is the oldest funride on the Western Cape MTB calendar and
still one of the favourites! The organizers from
Dirtopia has again made sure the whole family
can enjoy the spring day at this beautiful
Estate in Somerset West on Saturday 1st of
October.
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This year a NEW easy 25 km route is available
plus extra kiddies/toddler events of
0.5km/1.5km/3km. The event forms part of the
International Mountain Bike Association’s (IMBA)
‘Take a kid mountain biking day’, to provide
parents the opportunity to share an enjoyable
ride with their children. The 60km & 40km are
real mountain bike challenges for intermediate
to advanced riders, while the new 25km route
will be perfect for beginners or the 13km for
the “not so fit”.
The Lourensford Farmers’ Market will be running
from 09h00 with lots of stalls with fresh
produce, meals, wine tasting, kiddies rides,
crafts and more. Title sponsor, Spur Steak
Ranches will also have their jumping castles,
entertainment and great food at the finish.
Don’t miss the lucky draw after the event, as
all riders will stand a chance to win great
prizes, including a mountain bike. |
Entries are open on
www.dirtopia.co.za. For more
information, email
theteam@dirtopia.co.za or
call Dirtopia Trail Centre on 021 884-4752. | |
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With 35 wineries
participating in the
2011 Helderberg Wine
Festival in the
Somerset
West/Stellenbosch area
from Thursday, 20
October to Sunday, 23
October, visitors are
once again guaranteed a
range of activities at
each cellar for young
and old.
Great food, live music,
kiddies programmes,
exhibitions, shows and
award-winning wines draw
the crowds to this
laid-back event, which
takes place at the
different wineries over
the four day period.
Three crowd-pleaser
events have been
included this year,
which will enable
different local
charities to raise funds
for their own projects.
These are a
family-orientated
mountain bike race at
Lourensford on Saturday,
22 October as well as a
Biker’s charity ride
ending at Vergenoegd
Wine Estate on the same
day and the Foot of the
Helderberg Big Walk at
Eikendal Vineyards on
Sunday, 23 October. |
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Early bird tickets are
R80 per person (till 7
October) and can be
purchased on-line at the
website or from
participating Kwik Spar
Fine Food & Wine stores
in Somerset West and
Stellenbosch. After the
7th, tickets are R100
per person. Entry is
valid for one- or
multiple days and many
visitors take advantage
of this to visit the
region over the full
4-day period which also
ensures that most
wineries are never
over-full.
The festival is
presented in association
with Kwik Spar Fine Food
& Wine Somerset West and
Stellenbosch and all
funds raised go to Round
Table Somerset West.
R100 000 was raised for
charity last year and
the aim is to better
that! For more info,
visit
www.helderbergwinefestival.co.za.
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After almost three years, Christa Naude,
a key member of our team, leaves at the end of
September to take up an exciting new challenge
at Peter Falke Wines.
I think all of our members will agree that she
will be sorely missed! Christa will always stay
part of the Wine Routes, and will surely
continue to contribute to the Stellenbosch wine
brand in her new capacity.
We bid her goodbye but not farewell! |
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Greetings until next time!
Annareth Bolton
CEO Stellenbosch American
Express® Wine Routes
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Proudly sponsored
by:
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Stellenbosch American Express® Wine
Routes, Suite 224, Postnet, X5061,
Stellenbosch, 7599
Tel: +27 21 886-4310 | Fax: +27 21
886-4330 | Email :
info@wineroute.co.za |
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