Outstanding black-and-white photographs capturing the many facets of historic Vergelegen Wine Estate were unveiled at a function for the 25 finalists on Wednesday 1 July.

Judged for creativity, composition and technical excellence, the winning entries in the fourth Essence of Vergelegen contest revealed fresh ways to view the celebrated Somerset West estate.

Prizes included Vergelegen hospitality vouchers and wine and cameras and print room vouchers from sponsor Orms Direct. Brand partner Fujifilm previously led two guided photo walks on the estate.

The categories were:

– Camera class: Photos taken on any camera, with or without lenses.

– Smartphone class: Photos taken on a cellphone or mobile device.

– Junior class: For entrants aged 16 and under, using any device.

– People’s choice: Voted for by guests at the finalists’ function.

Camera class

First place went to Lynne Gleeson for “Vergelegen shining a light on natural beauty”, of palms and greenery framed by tree branches.

Carima van den Berg from Strand, a regular Vergelegen visitor with her grandchildren, took second place for “Kids in rain”, which also scooped the People’s Choice award.

Third place went to Katelyn Govender for a landscape vista extending to the Helderberg Mountains.

Smartphone class

The 16-year-old Lisa du Toit, a Somerset College learner, took first place for “Framed perfection”, a photograph of an historic Vergelegen building framed by trees.

Sarah Jones won second place for “Happy, joyous and free”, a woman walking among flowers.

Lisa Cumberledge took third place for “Cosmos in the early morning light”.

Junior class

Kai Tuunainen, a 10-year-old learner at Beaumont Primary School in Somerset West, won first prize for “Birds of a feather”, showing a sculpture of blue cranes against a mountain backdrop. Kai, who began taking photographs at the age of three, is a keen member of his school photography club.

Second prize went to Annika von der Heyden for “Where the sky floats”, an image of waterlilies.

Gina Meskin’s “Bee close to me”, Rico Meyer’s “Flower of destiny”, and Noah van Buuren’s “New life after the storm” were highly commended.

Thanking sponsors Orms Direct and Fujifilm SA and the finalists and their families, Vergelegen managing director Wayne Coetzer said this strong support from locals “shows the draw this incredible property has for us.”

Vergelegen marketing manager Caroline van Schalkwyk said nearly 500 entries were submitted. “We are delighted. The quality keeps getting better and better and competition was very stiff this year.”

Vergelegen is open to the public daily from 08:30-17:00 (last entry 16:00). The entrance fee is R30 per person, or R10 for pensioners and scholars. Pensioners enjoy free entry on Mondays. For more information, visit www.vergelegen.co.za, call 021 847 2111, or email info@vergelegen.co.za.