PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - With a few more awards under its belt, Plettenberg Bay is establishing itself as a force to be recognised in the winemaking industry.
Both Bitou Vineyards and Kay & Monty Vineyards recently received awards in the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge which recognises vineyards and wineries that set an international benchmark.
For 30 years, the Gilbert & Gaillard International group has been publishing its printed and online wine guide, conducting more than 10 000 wine tastings per year with a French tasting panel. South African wineries participate in the challenge.
Plett Tourism chief executive Patty Butterworth said the awards are a result of efforts by many individuals.
"We are proud that two of our vineyards have received this honour given the number of growers in South Africa that focus on international standards. This recognition belongs to the teams, which for many years have successfully woven such high standard practices into everything they do," Butterworth said.
She singled out one such individual, Plett winemaker Anton Smal, who is the winemaker at both the winning vineyards.
"Smallie", as he is lovingly known in Plett, is a pedigreed winemaker. He began his career at the well-known Villeria wine farm in Stellenbosch between 1991 and 2010. After gaining vast experience in a variety of cultivars, in particular Cap Classiques, he moved to Plett's founding wine farm Bramon.
With the sun, sand and surf in his reach, he has dug in his heels and now calls Plett home. He continues to work for several wine farms in the area, including Bitou Vineyards and Kay & Monty Vineyards.
Bitou Vineyards received awards for its Method Cap Classique Sauvignon Blanc 2017, its Sassy Sauvignon Blanc Off-dry 2020 and its Sauvignon Blanc 2019. Kay & Monty received awards for their MCC Champu Chardonnay 2016, SAV Sauvignon Blanc 2020 and SAV Sauvignon Blanc 2019.
Plettenberg Bay's winelands are relatively new on the winemaking scene. The first grapes were planted by local Peter Thorpe in 2000 after realising that his property, the Bramon Estate in the Crags, had the correct soil, slope and climate for starting a vineyard.
The rest is history.
Others started joining him and today the area boasts the country's most easterly cultivars stretching 57km along the coast, from Packwood in Harkerville to Lodestone on the Redford Road in the Crags. Today there are 18 vineyards that produce several varieties including MCC, sauvignon blanc, rosé and pinot noir.
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