The unsung contributors to the wine industry were honoured with the iconic 1659 medal of honour last night at the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event at the historic Groot Constantia Estate, including our very own Cellar Master, Awie Adolf! Congratulations Awie! Thank you for all your fantastic leadership, loyalty and work ethic over 37 years! You’re always the one to shine a smile when we see you, and you are a light in the Fairview family!

The medal has been awarded to significant role-players in the industry since 1974. Last year, our very own Charles Back was awarded with this award, and during his speech, made mention of the ‘real heroes’ of Fairview and the wine industry at large (to read more, click here). It was thus truly special that this year, the Groot Constantia board decided to symbolically honour the voiceless and often faceless wine workers over the centuries by making them the collective recipient of the 1659 medal, as without them the wine industry could never have flourished.

Dr Ernest Messina, Chairperson of Groot Constantia, said this year’s award heralds a shift in emphasis of what was the practice until now: “Our purpose is to give a voice to all contributors, to bring to light new perceptions of historical facts and to confirm greater appreciation and respect for everyone’s contributions.”

Dr Messina said he trusts this will usher in a tipping point for the industry – especially in changing attitudes, giving recognition and achieving unity. He emphasised that everyone’s stories must be told to create a more representative picture of the role-players.

“Described in wine language – the blend is more complete and thus better. In this way we achieve justice. This industry is owned by all of us as we are co-creators of the industry historically and presently. We must continue to build in harmony on the solid foundation laid by Simon van der Stel and so many others who will sadly remain anonymous.”

Representatives from the industry received the 1659 medal of honour on behalf of the wine workers, including our very own Awie Adolf. The award will rotate between different venues in the wine industry and will ultimately reside at Groot Constantia.

The post Awie Adolf honoured with prestigious 1659 Medal of Honour! appeared first on Fairview.

The recipient of the 1659 Honorary Award is chosen by a panel of wine industry stalwarts and presented to an individual who has created a legacy and played a profound role in the wine industry. This award is the highlight of the annual Blessing of the Harvest ceremony, held on 2 February 2017 at Groot Constantia, South Africa’s first wine estate, which was founded in 1685. The year 1659 marks the year when the first grapes were pressed in the country for the making of wine.

The Back family stems from a lineage of great entrepreneurs, innovators and winemakers. They are the first family to receive this award for the second time – Charles’ uncle, Sydney Back, is a previous recipient of the same award. Charles himself is no stranger to accolades.

In 1996 the South African magazine WINE voted Charles as the second most influential person in the country’s wine industry, after Nelson Mandela. The same year he was also named as the John Platter Winemaker of the year.

In 2004, Charles was awarded the title of Wine Personality of the Year in The International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC). Fairview has also received the Dave Hughes Trophy for the best South African red wine from the IWSC.

In 2014 Charles was honored with the International Lifetime Achievement Award by the most prestigious wine competition in the world, The International Wine Challenge (IWC). The IWC is accepted as the world’s finest, most meticulously judged competition. He accepted the award with his characteristic humility, and expressed: “But I have barely begun to achieve what I want to achieve!”

Charles strives to ensure that Fairview is constantly driven by its three key values. These are:authenticity, heritage, and ensuring that ingenuity perpetually flows from the soil to the cellar. He is known for his polite, friendly, warm, articulate and elegant manner and his ability to always look for the next innovative idea. His integrity goes far beyond his enduring relationships with the 500 people with whom he works.

He has been recognised for his work in introducing Mediterranean grapes such as Viognier, Tempranillo, Tannat, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah to South Africa. He also pioneered the “Swartland Revolution” and has been instrumental in shaping the future of wine tourism in the country through the introduction of artisanal cheese and the establishment of the Spice Route Destination in Paarl. He is also the first to afford land and company ownership to previously disadvantaged wine farm workers, to name just a few of his many achievements…

Congratulations Charles! Here’s to YOUR life! See gallery below:

The post Charles Back becomes the most awarded winemaker in South Africa! appeared first on Fairview.