IN what can only be described as a magical evening the Wellington Guild of Fine Wine was launched at the Diemersfontein Wine Estate on Saturday evening with the Duke of Wellington as honoured guest.

A kaleidoscope of colourful spotlights, highlighting the massive trees surrounding the luscious lawn, transformed the already beautiful main garden into an enchanting place.

So magical was the setting that one could have been forgiven for imagining fairies, pixies and other mysterious folk dancing teasingly just out of the sight of the 300 dinner guests.

Whilst the guests enjoyed a delightful selection of Wellington's fine wines, Mother Nature showed that she wouldn't be outdone, presenting an awesome sunset as the blistering summer sun slowly sank behind Paarl Mountain.

Dressed to the nines in their evening finery the guests took their seats at the beautifully decorated tables in the open air. An extravagant menu ensured that the food could hold its own with the Guild's top wines. The swing sounds of the Jonny Cooper brass band added to the elegant atmosphere of the evening.

Although the entertainment and enjoyment of all those present was high on the list of priorities, the function also had a more at serious purpose.

The primary focus of the Guild is to improve educational facilities in the region along with addressing the pressing issue of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome among local children.

The Duke of Wellington had agreed to be the patron of the educational trust established by the Guild, and funds raised from the evening's auction and wine sales all went towards the trust.

"We raised well over R100 000 and consider the evening to be a great success," said David Sonnenberg, owner of Diemersfontein and chairperson of the Wellington Guild of Fine Wines.

The Duke said it was a privilege to be associated with the Guild and the initiative it took to address the issues of lacking education and FAS.

PAARLITE Ron Hendricks, chairman of the Western Cape Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD), will depart for cooler climes on Saturday to visit the Skazka Socio-Rehabilitation Centre for children with disabilities near Moscow.

Hendricks, who is also chairman of the Drakenstein Centre for persons with disabilities, will visit the six departments at the centre.

He will focus mainly on the management, financial and volunteer structures at the centre.

A Russian delegation will pay a reciprocal visit to the Western Cape in March.

It is envisaged that the exchange of information will be beneficial to and improve the service that APD Western Cape as well as Drakenstein renders to children and adults with physical disabilities.

THE Wilderer's Distillery in Paarl, producer of acclaimed Grappa and Eaux de Vie, has achieved further international acclaim at the 2004 World Spirits Awards in Austria, where its Grappa Muscato received a Double Gold Medal and was crowned Spirit of the Year.

Wilderer's Grappa Pinotage and Apple 'Calvados-Style' were both awarded Gold Medals.

The distillery itself was awarded the prestigious "First Class Distillery" title and won a further five silver medals and one bronze for its fine spirits.

Says master distiller Helmut Wilderer: "Wilderer's Distillery was the first in South Africa to distill Grappa and Eaux de Vie, and we are proud to have won many awards, including gold awards in Germany.

Accolades

"The recent accolades are testimony to the standards we set at our distillery, reinforced by the fact that our spirits are sought after by international connoisseurs and buyers throughout the world," he says.

"These latest awards have drawn attention not only to Wilderer's," says marketing director Christian Wilderer. "They have also pinpointed South Africa as an international producer of fine spirits and will assist us in leading new markets."

KWV has announced that will be launching its product range in Southern Africa within the next six months, following extensive consumer research and planning.

"The South African market will be approached as one of KWV International's top four focus markets, after the United Kingdom, USA and Germany," said chairman Danie de Wet at their recent Harvest Celebration in Paarl.

"KWV's new status as a commercial company means that it is free to determine where, when and how it wants to sell its wines and brandies.

"Now that industry structures allow our entry onto the local market, our international footprint is strong enough to support a competitive stance in this market.

"We will have significant investment in the South African market, offering premium brands within each category, to meet the challenge of being the Benchmark of South African wine, as well as presenting our world renowned brandies."

In order to facilitate the process, several actions are underway. A new division based in Gauteng is being established and will be responsible for general management, marketing, trade marketing and key accounts. Operational aspects have been outsourced.

De Wet also announced that there would be a historical change in the ownership of the organisation through a black economic empowerment arrangement, negotiated by Gavin Pieterse, chairperson of the SA Wine Industry Turst. SAWIT plays an important role in the financing of the empowerment transactionl.

This is the first big equity empowerment agreement in the wine and spirits sector of the economy. A selected consortium acquiring 25.1% interest in KWV Ltd is in the process of being finalised.

The Board of KWV limited will also appoint two black directors from the consortium to serve on its Board.

Attie du Plessis succeeds Jonker on the board of KWV Investments.