Johan Reyneke of Reyneke Wines, Frans Smit of Spier & Dr Paul Cluver of the eponymous wine estate
Since its inception in 2009, the Nedbank Green Wine Awards has rewarded and indeed elevated the quality of wines made from organically grown grapes, honouring those wine producers that put our wellbeing and the wellbeing of the planet first.
Although the organic category remains an integral part of the Nedbank Green Wine Awards, evolution is all about change. This year’s innovation was to introduce a WWF Biodiversity and Wine Initiative wine category, open to all BWI members, to recognise the massive strides made in conserving our environment and natural resources, while producing greener, better wines.
A total of 190 wines were judged across the two categories, the panel led by internationally renowned wine judge Fiona McDonald. For the first time this year two bloggers were included in the judging team, Jonathan Snashall, himself a winemaker and Harry Reginald Haddon.
Reyneke Wines scooped to honours in the organic category, with its Reyneke Reserve Red 2009 winning awards for Best Wine Overall and Best Red. Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2012 won Best Wine Overall in the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Category. Spier was awarded for the Best Contribution to Environmental Initiatives and Awareness Programmes and as overall winner for being an Innovative Leader in Conservation and Environmental Good Practice Award.
All the winners are:
Wines made from Organically Grown Grapes
Best Wine Overall: Reyneke Reserve Red 2009
Best Red: Reyneke Reserve Red 2009
Best White: Reyneke Chenin Blanc 2011
Best Value: Stellar Winery Live-a-Little Really Ravishing Red N/V
Bloggers’ Choice: Green Shebeen Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Best Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Wines
Best Wine Overall: Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2012
Best Red: Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2011
Best White: Gabrielskloof Magdalena 2010
Best Value: Wedderwill 12ºC 2010
Bloggers’ Choice: Gabrielskloof Magdalena 2010
Best Conservation and Environmental Good Practice Awards
Innovative Leader in Conservation and Environmental Good Practice Award overall winner: Spier
Runners-up: La Motte, Cloof/Burgherspost and Waverley Hills (tied)
Best Contribution to Water Management: Waverley Hills
Best Contribution to Energy Efficiency: Bartinney
Best Contribution to Cape Winelands Eco-Tourism and Conservation: Cloof/Burgherspost
Best Contribution to Environmental Initiatives and Awareness Programmes: Spier
