Top 100 SA Wine Lists Challenge 2014
“WELL DONE to all the winners and thanks to the TOP 100 team for your support and encouragement for South African wine lists and every individual property. I am deeply saddened that I couldn’t be at the award ceremony thanks for your understanding.”
The Top 100 SA Wine List Award winners for 2014 have been revealed. The eagerly awaited and hotly contested results are listed below. This follows a celebratory awards' event held at Rodwell House, St James.
Jörg Pfützner, Challenge Chair quoted: "Tremendous to see new entrants again this Challenge. Now in its third successful year, the 100 point scoring protocols are fully effective. The rigour and the methodology ensure those restaurants who make a sincere effort, are recognised and rewarded. That's as fair as it gets."
Added Founder Judge Higgo Jacobs: "Always pleasing to have repeat entrants who value our professional and objective approach to awards. The three tiers of awards, Inspirational, Outstanding and Highly regarded, reflect each restaurants own value proposition to its own customers. The fit is smart and commercial."
Dax Villanueva noted. "Consumers can rely fully on the accuracy and the value of the awards granted. Top 100 Wine List Awards ensure a truly enhanced dining experience and the Special Awards provide for really world class memories. We have plans and aim to grow entries as well as the brand power for next year. Watch this space."
First-time judge Joanne Gibson shared: "My first year judging has been really positive. Clearly there is in place smart technology and digital systems to aid the objectivity and accuracy of what is often considered to be a very subjective area. Judges are free to add professional views and make recommendations, but the underlying protocols, procedures and audit make for bullet proof results."
Top 100's Robin von Holdt recorded: "There were more entries this year, up again on 2013. Almost 70 fine establishments entered representing the majority of finer South African restaurants so the quality was very high indeed. The judges were even harder this year though... with just 30 restaurants being awarded! Achieving any Top 100 award is never easy. That is why we hold the high ground and why the awards command respect."
The Top 100 brand is set to continue its growth in wine related promotion activity. Winning restaurants will gain entry into the Top 100 2014/15 ebook edition along with the Top 100 SA Wines 2014. There are already a number of promotional events planned throughout South Africa and abroad for 2014.
Alphabetical order of winning restaurants, by category:
Unique Awards
- Restaurant Mosaic - Best Overall SA Wine List Award 2014
- Mondrian Restaurant @ De Stijl Hotel - Most Innovative Selection Award 2014
- Five Hundred at the Saxon - Best International Selection Award 2014
- Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat - Best Regional Selection Award 2014
- Zachary’s Restaurant - Most Improved Award 2014
- Budmarsh Country Hotel - Best Value Award 2014
Fine Dining (long wine list)
Inspirational (90+%):
- Aubergine Restaurant
- Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat
- Five Hundred at The Saxon
- Restaurant Mosaic
- Zachary’s Restaurant
Outstanding (60+% - 90%):
- Azure Restaurant
- Browns Restaurant
- Budmarsh Country Lodge
- Café del Sol
- De Oude Kraal Country Estate & Spa
- Karibu Restaurant
- The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel
- The Grill Room at the Oyster Box Hotel
- The Big Easy Restaurant & Wine Bar
Highly Regarded (50+% - 60%):
- DW Eleven - 13
- Hemingway’s Restaurant and Wine Cellar
- Kong Restaurant
- Orient Restaurant
- Thomas Maxwell Bistro
- Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa
Relaxed Dining (short wine list)
Inspirational (90+%):
Outstanding (60+% - 90%):
- Mondrian Restaurant @ De Stijl Hotel
- Su Casa @ Surval
- Zinzi Restaurant
Highly Regarded (50+% - 60%)
- Red Rabbit French Grill
- Three Trees at Spioenkop
- The Bull Run Restaurant
- The Girls Restaurant