THREE local winemakers are among the six finalists for the fifth Woman Winemaker of the Year Competition.
They are Jocelyn Wilson of La Bri, Corlia Fourie of Bosman’s winery and Erika Obermeyer from Graham Beck Wines.
They were selected from a total of 63 entries from 23 women winemakers, an increase of 11 over last year’s number.
The winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to the winemaking region of Bordeaux, valued at R30 000.
According to Lorraine Immelman-Steyn, organiser of the Landbouweekblad Woman Winemaker of the Year competition, this proves that women are in the process of leaving their mark on the wine industry.
“Not only in South Africa, but also in other parts of the world, there is an increase of women entering into the wine arena,” she said. Worldwide there is a growing aware-
ness of women winemakers, also through similar competitions to this one, just last year two new competitions for Woman Winemakers were announced in America, The National Woman’s Wine Competition, and Woman’s Winemakers Challenge.”
The six finalists are Danelle van Rensburg from Van Loveren Vineyards in Robertson with her 2007 Wolverine Creek Shiraz, Rianie Strydom, from Haskell Vineyards in Stellenbosch with her 2006 Boulder Road Shiraz, Jocelyn Wilson from La Bri in Franschhoek with her 2007 Shiraz and Viognier blend and Corlea Fourie from Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington, who impressed with her Optenhorst 2007 Chenin Blanc made from 56-year-old bush vines, Erika Obermeyer, from Graham Beck Wines in Franschhoek with The Joshua 2006 (a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5 % Viognier) and Mari van der Merwe from Diemersdal Estate in Durbanville who completes the list with her 2007 Chardonnay Reserve.
The winner of the 2008 SA Woman Winemaker of the Year Competition will be announced at the gala ceremony at The Lord Charles Hotel on 24 July.
According to Marilyn Cooper, head of the Cape Wine Academy and president of the judging panel, this year’s competition was characterised by the high quality of especially the Shiraz category submitted by the entrant winemakers.
“The judges were pleasantly surprised with a diverse and exciting line-up of wines,” she said.
But the Landbouweekblad Woman Winemaker of the Year competition seeks more than good wine. The winning woman will also be selected on her overall personality, views on the wine industry and career goals.
