Wine Diva

Here are the photos from the delightful Wine Diva Stellekaya ladies lunch held at Ritrovo Restaurant in Waterkloof, Pretoria, on Saturday 25 July 2009. We had such a good time, 40 ladies and Forti, the co-owner-chef, he was so happy to have all the ladies to himself and really made us feel welcome at his place of beautiful Italian food. All the ladies were inspired by Stellekaya winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela – who is the winner of the 2009 Woman Winemaker Landbouweekblad competition. Well done Ntsiki. Special thanks to all the ladies who attended and thanks to Wine Diva family and friends for their support! Take a look and email wineclub@winediva.co.za if you want to be notified of future events:

Wine Diva, winemaker and chef:

Celebrating being women:

Getting to know Ntsiki:

 All the beauties enjoying beautiful food and wine:

Wine Diva, family and friends:

And then Forti serenaded a birthday girl:

Here are the photos taken at the JHB Wine Diva Stellekaya Evening on Friday 24 July 2009 at Kutya Restaurant in Fourways. It was loads of fun. 54 people attended, it was open to wineloving women and men (the arm candy) in Gauteng. All the attendees were inspired by Stellekaya winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela -
who is the winner of the 2009 Woman Winemaker Landbouweekblad
competition. Well done Ntsiki. To find out more about joining events like these in the future, email wineclub@winediva.co.za

Wine Divas all in a row:

Some Stellekaya and Kutya Fans:

A really stunning venue – Kutya Restaurant:

Ntsiki Biyela – event co-host servingher delicious Stellekaya wines. Ntsiki is the winner of the 2009 Landbouweekblad Woman Winemaker competition.

 A fun group of four friends enjoying the good wine, food and company:

Colourful red wine loving crowd:

Stellekaya owner, Dave Lello and his friends:

Cheers to a lovely couple:

 Friends chasing away the winter blues with Stellekaya and Wine Diva

Caroline Lowings, Ntsiki Biyela and friends:

Bilton Wines has just released the 2006 vintage of its Merlot, widely enjoyed for its typical classic style and smooth yet bold character.

“Bilton Merlot 2006 is an aromatic wine with a complex array of aromas such as sweet violets,  ripe plums, cherries and mint with a sweet spicy backing on the nose that  follow through to the palate opening up with even more layers of earthy, dark chocolate and cedar wood flavours and just a hint of coffee. The wine is silky across the palate with juicy, supple tannins ending with a long sweet mint aftertaste,” is how winemaker Rudi de Wet, who is an avid Merlot fan, describes his wine.

Rudi’s predilection for Merlot took him to St. Emilion in France where the cultivar has been grown for centuries. He worked at Château Gravet Renaissance during the harvest season where he found himself having to take over the reins in the cellar after the resident winemaker had a accident and dislocated his back. Whilst honing his Merlot making skills, Rudi also had the opportunity to visit some of the world’s top château’s in the Bordeaux region. “The opportunity of going to a town like St. Emilion and making wine the French way really inspired me and gave me a better understanding of the essence of Merlot,” he said. (Lucky Rudi! Oui, winemaking sounds like something I should have studied.)

The marvellous Bilton Merlot 2006 is a delicious partner to red meat dishes such as oxtail, roast lamb, beef and venison, but pairs equally well with richly flavoured fish dishes and mature white cheddar.

Bilton Merlot 2006 retails at approximately R110 per bottle and is available at the cellar and leading wine outlets or online at www.biltonwines.co.za. For further information contact Bilton on Tel: (021) 881 3714.