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Vergelegen toasts to shutterbugs, spirit success

District Mail and Helderberg Gazette

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16 Apr 2025

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Vergelegen Wine Estate’s third annual Essence of Vergelegen photographic competition, celebrating the estate’s beauty, received more than 500 entries across categories, such as camera, smartphone and junior, with winners announced at a special event and awarded prizes. The winners of the contest were named at a celebration on Thursday 27 March, where the 25 finalists’ photographs were exhibited at the estate’s Stables restaurant. Managing director Wayne Coetzer thanked everyone who entered the contest. “It’s just unbelievable to see some of the photos; we realise afresh what a gem we have here, to be enjoyed by locals and visitors from further afield.” Pictured (behind, from left) are competition finalists Shanté Hutton, Jean-Luc Lamarque, Stu Summerfield, Michelle Becker, Rachel Dillion, Zachari Davies, Christiaan Cloete, Shannon Lynn and Roger Molyneux; (front) Calista Mitchell and Isaiah Adriaans.

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: 1-Winners_20891.jpg — Vergelegen Wine Estate’s third annual Essence of Vergelegen photographic competition, celebrating the estate’s beauty, received more than 500 entries across categories, such as camera, smartphone and junior, with winners announced at a special event and awarded prizes. The winners of the contest were named at a celebration on Thursday 27 March, where the 25 finalists’ photographs were exhibited at the estate’s Stables restaurant. Managing director Wayne Coetzer thanked everyone who entered the contest. “It’s just unbelievable to see some of the photos; we realise afresh what a gem we have here, to be enjoyed by locals and visitors from further afield.” Pictured (behind, from left) are competition finalists Shanté Hutton, Jean-Luc Lamarque, Stu Summerfield, Michelle Becker, Rachel Dillion, Zachari Davies, Christiaan Cloete, Shannon Lynn and Roger Molyneux; (front) Calista Mitchell and Isaiah Adriaans.

Muizenberg resident Michelle Becker, whose parents are from Somerset West, won the Camera category with this photo of her sister admiring the estate’s flowers. Shanté Hutton and Jean-Luc Lamarque secured second and third places, respectively. Photo: Michelle Becker

Somerset West resident Stu Summerfield won the Smartphone category with a picture of the Lourens River, while Roger Molyneux and Shannon Lynn took second and third place. Photo: Stu Summerfield

Thirteen-year-old Zachari Davies from Grabouw won the Junior category with a photo of Vergelegen’s entrance at sunset, taken on the eve of his birthday, while Rachel Dillon placed second, and Isaiah Adriaans and Calista Mitchell shared third prize. Photo: Zachari Davies

Stellenbosch-based freelance photographer Christiaan Cloete won the People’s Choice award for his black and white photo of water lilies in a pond at Vergelegen, which evokes the estate’s contemplative verdant beauty. Photo: Christiaan Cloete

Vergelegen has released its first limited edition pear eau de vie, a clear fruit brandy, fermented at the historic Somerset West wine estate and distilled by the Dalla Cia family. This delicious Vergelegen spirit has been crafted from crisp, naturally sweet Clapp’s pears, harvested from an orchard that has thrived at the estate for over 30 years. Contractor Rijk Louw, who has nurtured the orchards since their establishment, personally selected the pears for the eau de vie – which means “water of life”. Vergelegen winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain says the fruit mash was first fermented in the estate’s hilltop cellar for ten days, then distilled and bottled. Vergelegen has produced only 1000 units, retailing at R650 per 500 ml bottle. The estate’s first, limited edition pear eau de vie is available from the wine tasting centre, and online shop. Photo: Bakkes Images.

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Categorised:Galleries, Lifestyle, News

Tagged:Community Highlights

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