Ruth Penfold Diners Club 2007 Young Winemaker of the Year

Published: 01 Dec 2007

Penfold’s Steenberg Semillon 2007 is one of her first wines since taking charge of the Steenberg cellar earlier this year. This award winning wine came out ahead in a field of 58 entries in the category ‘dry white wine’ earning her the much coveted title. This is the second time a Steenberg Vineyards winemaker is honoured by these awards, John Loubser won the 2003 Winemaker of the Year with his Semillon.

“2007 was a little daunting because it was the first year I was in full charge of the harvest, but it was thrilling for the same reason,” Ruth says of her maiden effort as winemaker, adding that while she is looking forward to the 2008 vintage, the award means that expectations will be that much higher.

Panellist and international winemaker Alain Graillot of Croze-Hermitage in the Rhône, France, was amazed that every entry was of such high quality, saying it augured well for the future of South African wine.

The other judges were Chairman Dave Hughes, Margaret Fry CSM, Carrie Adams of Norman Goodfellows and Nederburg winemaker Tariro Masiyati.