News

Spier was named South African Wine Producer of the Year at the prestigious 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) last night.  The estate achieved five Best in Class Gold medals and received two trophies: Spier’s Savanha Naledi Pinotage 2009 was awarded the prestigious Abraham Perold Trophy for Pinotage and the Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2009 was awarded the Mission Hill Trophy for Chardonnay.

 

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) was founded in 1969 and is one of the premier competitions of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs.  This is achieved through a rigorous two-stage judging process of professional blind tasting and detailed technical (chemical and microbiological) analysis that takes place at the competition's headquarters in Surrey, UK.

 

The historic Guildhall in London was the setting for the celebration banquet, which included 500 guests.  Spier CEO, Andrew Milne attended to accept the award and said, “I’m extremely proud of our winemaking and viticulture teams and Cellar Master Frans Smit for this amazing achievement.  This is our third Producer of the Year award this year and is a tribute to the outstanding work the team is doing in the vineyards and in the cellar.”

 

Earlier this year, Spier was named 2011 Producer of the Year: Overseas at the prestigious Mundus Vini awards, and Most Successful Producer at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.