Bushman's Kloof wins at 2017 Diners Club Winelist Awards

Two hundred and twenty-five restaurants from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng submitted wine lists for judging by a select panel led by the publisher of the Platter’s by Diners Club Guide and convenor of the wine list awards panel, Jean-Pierre Rossouw.

“This year we tightened the standards and set expectations higher – so kudos to the restaurants that rose to the challenge. The Diamond Award is becoming a more and more prestigious achievement and we congratulate the entrants that offer diners high quality wine lists,” said Rossouw.

A high standard of expectation

Sixty-three Western Cape restaurants were recognised this year, and awards were presented in Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond categories. Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve is the well-deserved winner of the Best Diamond Award in the region, as its restaurant has been a consistent achiever in the Diners Club Winelist awards. Nine restaurants received Diamond Awards; 34 Platinum Awards were presented, as well as 19 Golds and 1 Silver.

“As the premium Award, we expected Diamond lists to carry correct vintages throughout as well as offer diners a good selection of interesting wines in all styles. We also required reserve and international wines to be present on the list. As ever, good wine descriptions, or the presence of a sommelier, was vital,” continued Rossouw.

In addition to convenor, JP Rossouw, the judging panel comprised leading wine industry experts and media, including Neil Grant, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Roxan Waldeck, Tinashe Nyamudoka, Pete Goffe-Wood and Karen Visser

The 2017 Diners Club Winelist Awards winners are as follows:

Diamond Awards

• Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve - Best Diamond WC
• Aubergine Restaurant
• Bientang’s Cave Restaurant
• Bombay Brasserie
• Bosman’s Restaurant
• Cavalli (EQUUS)
• Ellerman House
• Noop Restaurant
• The Table Bay Hotel 

Platinum Awards

• Abalone House & Spa
• Bistro 365
• Cape Grace Hotel
• Casa Bella - GrandWest
• Casa Bella - Somerset West
• City Grill Steakhouse
• Den Anker Restaurant
• Garden Route Game Lodge
• Greek Fisherman
• Greenhouse
• Karibu Restaurant
• La Motte Wine Estate
• La Mouette Restaurant
• Meloncino
• Mint Grill
• Myoga Restaurant
• Origins Restaurant
• The Marine Hotel
• Rhebokskloof Estate
• The Andros Deluxe Boutique Hotel
• The Conservatory
• The Forum Embassy Hill
• The Garden Lounge - Vineyard Hotel
• The Hussar Grill - Camps Bay
• The Hussar Grill - Grandwest
• The Hussar Grill - Mouille Point
• The Hussar Grill - Paarl
• The Hussar Grill – Rondebosch
• The Hussar Grill - Somerset West
• The Hussar Grill - Steenberg
• The Hussar Grill - Stellenbosch
• The Hussar Grill - The Grove
• The Hussar Grill - Walmer
• The Hussar Grill - Willowbridge
• The Square Restaurant - Vineyard Hotel
• The Victoria Falls Hotel
• Turn n Tender - Somerset West

Gold Awards

• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Blouberg
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Boardwalk
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Camps Bay
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Canal Walk
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Cape Town
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Cavendish
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Franschhoek
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Hermanus
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Paarl
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Stellenbosch
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - V&A Waterfront
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria Westlake
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria Willowbridge
• Mio Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Belvedere Square
• Mio Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Durbanville
• Mio Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Meadowridge
• Sevruga Restaurant
• Taste Bistro
• The George Restaurant

Silver Awards

• La Vierge Restaurant

Diners Club has a long history of supporting the wine industry. The response to the competition confirms the high standard of restaurants around the country and the significant choice cardholders have when it comes to eating out. The Diners Club Winelist awards are a benchmark for excellence in the restaurant industry.

www.dinersclub.co.za