Hartenberg Wine Estate

Hartenberg Merlot Rated Best in the World.

The International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), held in London each year, is regarded as the world wine industry’s premier judging event.

And at the awards ceremony held on 30 September, Hartenberg’s Merlot 2005 won the trophy for the world’s best Merlot.

This announcement comes hot off the heels of Hartenberg’s The Stork 2005 being rated the world’s third best Shiraz at Syrah du Monde in France in May.

An ecstatic Carl Schultz, Cellarmaster of Hartenberg, had this to say: “Obviously we are thrilled. But, more important than winning this incredibly prestigious trophy, is the fact that many of our wines are now performing consistently well on an international level. And that means we are finally beginning to realize the true potential of what I have always known this estate is capable of.”

Hartenberg’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 won Gold at last year’s IWSC, as did their super premium Chardonnay, The Eleanor 2004, at Chardonnay du Monde in France. Earlier this year, the estate was also awarded the South African Airways CEO’s Trophy for Most Successful Producer.

Incidentally, Hartenberg’s previous vintage of Merlot earned Carl Schultz the distinction of being the Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year in 2005.

It seems South Africa is now firmly back on the world wine map!