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I’m sitting with Ken Forrester outside his tasting room on a sunny November afternoon, looking across one of his vineyards (this one planted to Chenin in 1974), looking across to the Helbderberg. All is well with the world. We begin to talk about how he got to where he is today.

Ken, commonly referred to as Mr Chenin, began his career in hotels, after training in hotel management. But then he was drafted for the military and was sent to war in Angola, 1976-1978. What did he do there? ‘I tried to stay alive,’ he says. ‘I had three guys in my platoon shot, but all three survived. We had five tours in two years. It was the best times and the worst times.’

Dr Paul Clüver, the founder of Paul Clüver Family Wines, is a winner of this year’s WWF's Living Planet Award.

WWF’s Living Planet Award is made annually to exceptional South Africans who, through their catalytic contribution, inspire people to live in harmony with nature.

The winners were named at WWF South Africa's annual general meeting on 11 November at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Dr Paul Clüver, of Paul Clüver Family Wines, was recognised as a pioneer, innovator, and leader in the field of regenerative agriculture and for improving the lives of others and the natural world they depend on.

World’s Best Vineyards has revealed this year’s top wine destinations for 2022 at an event held in Argentina’s wine capital, Mendoza.

The annual list which highlights the world’s finest and most diverse vineyards across the globe announced the Top 50 with Klein Constantia & Tokara taking 2 of the 3 spots for South African producers ranking 39th and 47th respectfully as well as Champagne Billecart-Salmon taking the 12th spot on the prestigious list.

The 2022 list includes more countries than ever before with 20 from all six continents being featured. It also includes exciting first-time entrants from India, Bulgaria and Greece highlighting the recent growth in the industry.

The Chardonnay Life at De Wetshof Estate is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate some of the Robertson Wine Valley's best Chardonnays on 12 November.

De Wetshof Estate is reuniting wine enthusiasts' senses and palates in celebrating the total excitement of Chardonnay at The Chardonnay Life on 12 November as the Robertson region's Chardonnay producers gather to host a feast for their beloved grape.

Set in the beautiful Robertson Wine Valley, guests will indulge in the art of Chardonnay – from exquisite meals to new vintages of Chardonnay, plus an added musical flair with pumping DJ music.

Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2022 emerged victorious at the 2022 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10.

Less than one week after winning a major award for its Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2022, Diemersdal Estate saw the same wine emerging victorious at this year’s prestigious FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition, making the coveted top ten of South African wines made from this grape variety. Last week the same wine secured a Double Gold medal at the Veritas Awards, South Africa’s leading wine competition.

With the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from De Grendel fresh out of the starting blocks, it added the coveted FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 award to its existing list of accolades during the awards ceremony held on 13 October. This is no small feat, considering 161 wines were entered for this year’s competition.

The 2022 vintage of premium De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc also received a 90-point score from the International Wine & Spirit Competition, a 91-point score by Tim Atkin’s South African Report, and 90 points from the Winemag Sauvignon Blanc Report.

Exciting highlights were reached at the stylish 32nd Veritas Awards, with the top trophy given to Tokara.

Exciting highlights were reached at the stylish 32nd Veritas Awards, featuring another record number of medals to well-known brands, as well as novices, while the top trophy for the best wine entered for Veritas was clinched by the 2019 Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon.

This glamorous event was held in a marquee tent on the expansive lawn in front of the Nederburg Manor House, where three new financial partners joined Veritas.

Diemersdal proprietor Thys Louw took his winemakers on a trip to Sancerre in France to immerse them in Sancerre and Sauvignon Blanc. Emile Joubert tagged along.

We crossed the Loire River as the rain came. A surprisingly cool rain for summer, but very welcome after the past few weeks of blistering heat Europe had had to endure. Ahead, the village of Sancerre perched on a butte, just as it had been for centuries, looking over the undulating hills, slopes and valleys where 2 000ha of vines, including the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world, pushed their verdant leaves forward to take-in the fresh wetness of the drizzle bucketing down from above.

De Grendel gleamed in Platinum, Double Gold, and Gold at the 2022 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, showcasing excellence across a diverse range of wines.

De Grendel Op Die Berg Chardonnay 2021 was one of just 17 of the 1 509 wine entries to be awarded the highest honour of Platinum, for a score of at least 96 points.

With scores of 93 or more points, De Grendel’s flagship Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2021 and customer favourite red blend Rubaiyat 2017 brought home Double Gold medals, placing in the top 14% of entries.