19 November 2008

Kanonkop's Abrie Beeslar is International Winemaker of the Year

Abrie Beeslaar in the old Pinotage vineyard
Abrie Beeslaar, (pictured right) winemaker at top Pinotage winery Kanonkop Estate, is the International Winemaker of the Year it was announced at the International Wine and Spirits Competition's (IWSC) gala award ceremony in Londons last night.

Kanonkop also received the Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande trophy for the best blended red wine with its Paul Sauer 2003, as well as the Dave Hughes Trophy for the Best South African Producer.

"It has been a historic year for Kanonkop and it is truly an honour to have been able to share in the winery's successes," Abrie said. "To be awarded this accolade as the world's best winemaker for the year is an honour one never even dreams about, so the award has simply not sunk in yet.

"But I do know that the success belongs to the whole team working in the cellar and vineyards, as well as those who promote our wines throughout the world. But nothing equals the importance of nature with which we are blessed on Kanonkop. It's the soil and the climate that produces the grapes for the wines I am able make to the kind of quality that we are lucky enough to receive this kind of recognition for."

Abrie also added that he sees this award as recognition of South Africa's potential to compete with the best wine producing countries in the world.

"This is the third time that the award has gone to a South African winemaker and should once more prove that our wines are at home with the best in the world."

Abrie's award comes at the end of an outstanding year for Kanonkop. It was the first wine-farm to receive the Château Pichon Langueville Comtesse de Lalande trophy for a third time. And locally Kanonkop was recently named Wine Producer of the Year by the 2009 Platter South African Wine Guide.


Thanks to - www.wine.co.za

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous22:58

    Hi Peter

    I Roland Lundall had a audio interview not long ago for the south african wine report.I am very happy for Abrie Beeslaar receiving all these awards.It makes me happy to be a South African sommelier.

    If you and other people are intressted to hear Abrie Beeslaar talk about how he makes his world class wines go to

    http://www.southafricanwinereport.com/?p=3

    and click on the play button to play the show

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous21:27

    We've recently been enjoying the Kanonkop Kadette. Nice mix of earth and fruit. Congrats to Abrie.

    ReplyDelete