2006 News

Institute of CWM 2006 "Wine Personality of the Year Award"

CAPE WINE MASTERS AWARDS DINNER AT MEERENDAL 6th May 2006.
Wheatfields Restaurant at Meerendal hosted the Annual Dinner of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters on Saturday 6th May. At the function the Institute presented their WINE PERSONALITY of the YEAR Award to Gunter Brözel, one of the doyens of the South African Wine industry.

BACKGROUND
Gunter Brözel was the cellar master at Nederburg for 33 years and this award was made in recognition for his contribution to the wine industry over many years. He was responsible for building the quality of Nederburg wines over all the years into one of the most well known brands in South Africa and around the world. He has been a passionate wine man all his life and has been honored also for educating consumers through his many wine tastings where he has been known for his poetic wine language.

Gunter pioneered noble late harvest wines in South Africa when Nederburg Edelkeur was made in 1969. Gunter and his Edelkeur were also responsible for starting the now famous Nederburg Auction, as the auction was used as a platform sell the wine. He was also the first winemaker to put a Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay blend on the market. His 1974 Nederburg Auction Cabernet Sauvignon has been referred to as the best red wine from South Africa, Robert Mondavi from California.

Gunter was also the first South African to receive the "International Winemaker of the Year Award" from the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London in 1985.