Fort Simon wins double victory at Terroir Wine Awards

Fort Simon Sauvignon Blanc 2005 was the top sauvignon blanc from Stellenbosch, also a 4.5 star platter wine, and the estate's Viognier Noble Late Harvest 2006 (a first for SA) also came first as the top dessert wine. This wine was also a third place winner at the 2007 Juliet Cullinan awards, and a silver winner at the prestigious Swiss International Airline Awards.

In the categories for the best wines from districts and wards, from which the national winners are selected in the final round, Bottelary and Wellington wards stood out as prime terrains in their districts. In the Stellenbosch district five of the winning wines in that category are from the Bottelary ward.

A total of 156 wines were judged this year.

The panel of connoisseurs, all with many years experience in tasting all the wines from all the districts, made their selection at a blind tasting at Elsenburg Agricultural College.

The Fort Simon sauvignon blanc vines are situated 340m above sea level, on decomposed granite and Clovelly soils, and reap the benefits of the cool sea breezes that keep the temperatures down.

The Fort Simon Viognier vines are planted in a combination of Hutton and decomposed granite soils on an easterly slope ideal for the induction of noble rot.

“Because the competition is about terroir, the international term for a specific wine terrain, the wines are judged according to the quality of the product combined with distinctive characteristics created by the soil and climate in the specific area. Only the terrain and a dedicated viticulturist and winemaker can produce these results,” says Charl Theron, coordinator of the judging and convener of the panel.

For orders or further information please contact Ronel van Zyl on 021 906-0304 or email ronel.fortsimon@eccsystems.co.za.