Authentic and memorable events with a South African flavour
Authentic and memorable events with a South African flavour. Real weddings that express who you are (and your budget). Since 1998, Celia has been choreographing events that come to life.
Celia specialises in wine events, weddings, celebrations and private functions. Her deep network in the local wine and hospitality trade make her the obvious choice.
Find out more about how veteran planner, Celia Gilloway, brings events to life.
For weddings that express who you are. From rustic forest weddings to the classic fairytale, Celia brings your big day to life. We believe that every bride should have their dream wedding within their budget. Our philosophy is to work with the bridal couple and make their dream a reality.
Our extensive list of vendors caters for all budgets and requirements.
Experience the winning flavours of the Cape Winelands, featuring top chefs and leading South African wines.
Dear Producers
No doubt South Africa and the world have entered a trying and uncertain time. The impact COVID-19 has had on the wine industry is devastating. But, one thing we can be certain of is the plethora of wine styles South Africa has to offer with excellent quality at various price points. With a backlog caused by this world pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, we must celebrate our wines and keep consumers excited about it.
This is what BEST BUY is all about. Please note this is NOT a competition but rather a monthly blind tasting conducted by respected wine professionals to encourage and guide consumers.
FIRST UP
We are calling on Bordeaux Style Red Blends and Portuguese Style Red Blends to commence these monthly blind tastings for April and May. The Bordeaux blends must contain two or all five Bordeaux varietals. Traditional Portuguese cultivars must represent a minimum of 15% of the Portuguese style blends.
PANELS
Tasting panels will consist of credible wine tasters revered for their solid experience in previous competitions. Collectively the panels will represent knowledge gained from in-depth studies through organizations such as WSET, Cape Wine Academy and the Michael Fridjhon tasting academy. A chairperson who is seasoned in this position and qualified to provide guidance and feedback where necessary, will lead the panel of 5 tasters. The panel will be using the 100-point scoring system.
TASTER IN TRAINING
BEST BUY adheres to the highest standards and therefore wants to arm future tasters with adequate knowledge. An extra seat will be dedicated to a taster who has recently entered this industry to provide him or her with sound experience and mentorship. Their score will not be taken into consideration. In this way, wine tasting panels represent all generations and can go from strength to strength. This person needs to have completed or is busy studying at a reputable organization or works at a winery or wine-related establishment.
AIM OF BEST BUYS
Quality remains key in finding the best buys. Further assessment will consider price as a prerogative in supporting quality. The aim is to guide consumers to make informed choices when purchasing wines, regardless of price.
Public Relations and communication with producers are very important to us. These services will be rendered by a marketing, PR and wine professional to assist producers with the marketing of their qualifying wines. To conclude the monthly proceedings, producers will receive a press release to announce the qualifying wines, including a BEST BUY logo and feedback from the tasters in the form of a short review. The format will be feasible to share with buyers and to use on various marketing and social media platforms. Afrikaans press releases will be available on request.
HOW TO ENTER
Keeping costs to a minimum, a submission fee of R350 per entry will apply. This includes two bottles per submission. BEST BUY won’t require any additional stock or specified stock levels to submit. Please note that we are not VAT registered. Results will be released within ten days of judging. Should the wine qualify, BEST BUY stickers (1000 stickers per roll) will be available for purchase at R350 per roll. Tasting and submission deadlines will be provided as soon as lockdown is over and producers are permitted to commence with wine sales.
The results will also appear on http://eventsbycelia.com/services/wine-events/ and other reputable media platforms. Should your wine not qualify as a Best Buy, it will not be published on any platform.
Delivery Address: 27 Donkin Way, Edgemead, 7441.
Please note: For submission forms please contact celia@eventsbycelia.com
CAB FRANC CHALLENGE 2020 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The 5th Cabernet Franc Challenge impressed with 52 entries (the same number as in 2019), with many wines entered by previous participants and a few new wineries who took the plunge this year. Winners were announced in the Top 6 Category, the Blends Category and the Vintage Category. A Best Value Winner was also again selected by the organisors. Thirty-Six additional Gold medals were awarded across all categories as well.
The Top 6 winners (in alphabetical order) are: Anthology Cabernet Franc 2017, David Finlayson Camino Africana Cabernet Franc 2017, High Constantia Cabernet Franc 2012, Rainbow’s End Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2018, Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 and Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2015
Cape Wine Master and head of the judging panel since the start of the competition, Christine Rudman commented about the geographical spread of entries; “Once again Stellenbosch, with the most plantings, dominated, but Franschhoek and Paarl had a significant number of entries. The rest came from Robertson, Darling, Elgin, Bot River, Constantia, Cape Town/Durbanville, Wellington and Coastal. Of the 31 producers represented, 13 entered more than one wine, showing a growing Cabernet Franc specialisation.”
The vintage winner for this year is My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2012 from Franschhoek, which was supported by excellent Gold Medal entrants in this category. The panel was particularly impressed by the 6 older wines (vintages 2012 – 2015), proving just how well Cabernet Franc with good credentials can age. The wines were delicious, in perfect drinking condition, yet still had a cellaring future.
Three winners emerged in the Blends Category. They are Landskroon Paul Hugo Red 2018, Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2011 and Warwick Trilogy 2016. The Best Value Award was given to Ondine Cabernet Franc 2015 by Darling stalwart Ormonde Vineyards, which retails at R115 per bottle.
The judging panel was made up of Christine Rudman, Lizette Tolken, Greg Mutambe, Fiona McDonald and Malu Lambert. Christine explains a bit more about the judging procedure: “Judging out of 100, the panellists were given no origin or vintage information, except being told the category – older wines, blends, main entries. The only discussion permitted was after the tasting, where general comments were asked for.”
“In the main judging category, the panel looked for attributes that define the variety, giving it uniquely its own personality. There were fewer herbaceous notes across the range than in 2019, a reflection of the vintages, mainly 2017, with some 2018 and 2016. The best wines had balance, elegance, suppleness and complexity, showing layers of fruit and tertiary perfumes and flavours,” she commented.
The judging took place at Cab Franc Carnival 2020 sponsor and venue host Vrede en Lust Estate in Simondium on Tuesday, 17 March. The results were independently audited and verified by Cecil Kilpin & Co. The Top 6 can be tasted in two tutored tasting sessions at this year’s Cab Franc Carnival, which takes place at Vrede en Lust Estate on Saturday, 22 August from 11h00-16h00. Tickets for the event and the intimate tutored tasting sessions can be purchased from www.plankton.mobi.
TOP SIX SINGLE VARIETALS (ALPHABETICAL)
Anthology Cabernet Franc 2017
David Finlayson Camino Africana Cabernet Franc 2017
High Constantia Cabernet Franc 2012
Rainbow’s End Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2018
Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2016
Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2015
VINTAGE – WINNER
My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2012
TOP THREE BLENDS (ALPHABETICAL)
Landskroon Paul Hugo Red 2018
Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2011
Warwick Trilogy 2016
BEST VALUE – WINNER
Ondine Cabernet Franc 2015
GOLD MEDALS SINGLE VARIETAL (ALPHABETICAL)
Chamonix Cabernet Franc 2016
Druk My Niet Cabernet Franc 2014
High Constantia Cabernet Franc 2015
Hillcrest Saartjie Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2018
Jordan Cabernet Franc 2018
Journey’s End V5 Cabernet Franc 2017
Kleinhoekkloof Cabernet Franc 2016
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2017
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2018
Leipzig Cabernet Franc 2019
Linton Park Louis Fourie Reserve Cabernet Franc 2017
Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2018
Mitre’s Edge Cabernet Franc 2017
Mont du Toit Les Coteaux Cabernet Franc 2017
Môreson Cabernet Franc 2017
Morgenster Cabernet Franc 2018
My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2016
Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2017
Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2018
Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2016
Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2017
Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc 2017
Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc 2018
Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2016
Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2017
Vrede en Lust Artisan Range Cabernet Franc 2016
Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2014
Wildekrans Reserve Barrel Select Cabernet Franc 2018
VINTAGE GOLD MEDALS (ALPHABETICAL)
Holden Manz Reserve Cabernet Franc 2015
Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2014
Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2013
BLENDS GOLD MEDALS (ALPHABETICAL)
Chamonix Troika 2017
Landskroon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2018
My Wyn Les Grandes Horizontales 2016
Raats Jasper Red Blend 2017
Ridgeback Journey 2017
On Tuesday December 3rd , the five gold medallists of the 2019 Malbec Challenge were announced at a function at The Wood Mill in Stellenbosch. The winning wines were Mitre’s Edge 2017 (also the top scorer); Blake’s Single Vineyard 2018 (only to be released in 2020); Bizoe Idioglossla 2017; Bellevue 2016 and Neethingshof 2013.
The Challenge judging by a panel of five tasters using the international 100 point system had taken place on November12th. The panel, chaired by Cape Wine Master Christine Rudman, consisted of Anton Swarts, Cape Wine Master and senior winemaker at Spier in Stellenbosch; award-winning wine and food writer Malu Lambert; Nomonde Kubheka ex-KWV winemaker and currently training facilitator for Winetech; and sommelier/wine writer Barry Scholfield.
There were 26 entries, just under half of all the single varietal Malbec bottlings on the market.
When asked what had inspired them to plant Malbec, the answers from the winemakers had a common theme, either for it to be part of the classic 5-variety Bordeaux blend, in the case of Lola Nicholls of Mitre’s Edge and Wilhelm Kritzinger of Bellevue, or because they had visited countries where Malbec is widely grown and were impressed by it.
Andries Blake of Blake Family Wines’ love affair with Malbec started about 10 years ago on a visit to Argentina, while Rikus Neethling of Bizoe remembers the variety from a trip to Buenos Aires, deciding there and then to include it in their range. Bizoe buys in grapes, which for the winning 2017 vintage came from Swartland and Stellenbosch. De Wet Viljoen’s discovery was in the Cahors in France, where he and his wife went for their honeymoon.
A juicy, soft-skinned variety, Malbec requires care in the vineyard to avoid over-cropping or sunburn damage, and in the cellar quick and careful fermentation to prevent oxidation. The winning wines used either only older oak or a combination of new and used barrels, to showcase the succulent drinkability part of its character.
Plantings are still small, well under 1% of vineyards, and production is limited, except for Bellevue which is also to be found in Woolworths.
The competition has a generous sponsor, RX South Africa, agents of Tonnellerie de Mercurey wine barrels, an internationally respected family-owned specialist business based in France. The oak comes from three different forests, to create a wide range of barrel styles and qualities for international wine cellar requirements, with the stave mill located in Champagne.
Mitre’s Edge’s prize is a free new barrel, size of their choice, while all participants in the competition have been offered a 7.5% discount on barrel purchases for the 2020 season. In addition, funding was provided for the Awards function.
Finally, on a personal note, the Idioglossla part of Bizoe Malbec’s name refers to the language of twins, the 6 year-old boys of Rikus and Estalet Neethling, while Andries Blake has named his second boat Malbec, a name his first boat also carried.
and the sponsors’ are:
and the winner is: Mitre’s Edge for their Malbec 2017
and the Gold Medallists are:
Bellevue Malbec 2016
Bizoe Idioglossla Malbec 2017
Blake’s Single Vineyard Malbec 2018
Neethingshof Malbec 2013
and the Silver Medallists are:
Sonklip Malbec 2017
Ondine Malbec 2018
Diemersfontein Woolworths Reserve Malbec 2017
Kevin King BBK 2016
Diemersdal Malbec 2017
Benguela Cove Malbec 2017
Stellekaya Malbec 2018
Blake’s Malbec 2018
Neethlingshof Malbec 2018
Vergenoegd Löw Malbec 2015
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec 2017
Stellekaya Malbec 2017
Le Pommier Jonathan’s Malbec 2018
Perdeberg The Vineyard Collection Malbec 2018
Diemersdal Malbec 2018
The Malbec Challenge Wine Competition 2019
Responding to producer requests, Celia Gilloway of Events by Celia organised a Malbec tasting competition which was judged on November 12th at Mitre’s Edge in Stellenbosch by an experienced panel of five. There were 26 entries out of the 55 single bottlings listed in the 2020 Platter Guide, making it admirably well-subscribed for its first appearance. The winners will be announced at an Awards lunch presided over by Chef Craig Cormack, at The Wood Mill in Stellenbosch on Tuesday December 3rd.
The judging was done blind with no origin or vintage revealed, using the international 100 point system and was overseen by an auditor from Cecil Kilpin & Co. There were five gold medals awarded, which included a clear winner, and 15 silvers. Entries came mainly from Stellenbosch and its wards, and also from Darling, Elgin, Walker Bay, Franschhoek, Paarl, Cape Town/Durbanville, Coastal and Western Cape.
The panel, chaired by Cape Wine Master Christine Rudman, consisted of Anton Swarts, Cape Wine Master and senior winemaker at Spier in Stellenbosch; award-winning wine and food writer Malu Lambert; Nomonde Kubheka ex-KWV and currently training facilitator for Winetech and the Pinotage Youth Development Academy; and sommelier/wine writer Barry Scholfield. There was consensus on the top five wines, and all the other scores fell within a narrow band.
The competition has a generous sponsor, RX South Africa, agents of Tonnellerie de Mercury wine barrels, an internationally respected family-owned specialist business based in France. The oak comes from three different forests, to create a wide range of barrel styles and qualities for international wine cellar requirements, with the stave mill located in Champagne.
The winning Malbec’s producer gets a free new barrel, size of their choice, while all participants in the competition have been offered a 7.5% discount on barrel purchases for the 2020 season. In addition, funding has been provided for the Awards function.
Exclusive and intimate private functions to suit your pocket. Celia ensures that your tasting events and corporate functions are perfect in every way.
Bring the Winelands and sublime food into your home, boardroom or conference room.
Whether it is a Vertical Tasting, a General Tasting and Food and Wine Pairing, my extensive experience in the industry will ensure that your event is executed with flair and decorum.
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The 5th Cabernet Franc Challenge impressed with 52 entries (the same number as in 2019), with many wines entered by previous participants and a few new wineries who took the plunge this year. Winners were announced in the Top 6 Category, the Blends Category and the Vintage Category. A Best Value Winner was also again selected …
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