Louis van der Riet, winemaker at De Krans in Calitzdorp, has been selected as one of only three finalists in the 2014 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year competition. 

This is the first time that a young winemaker from the Little Karoo has been named as a finalist in this prestigious competition. The other two finalists are JD Pretorius from Steenberg in Constantia and Reenen Borman of Boschkloof in Stellenbosch. The winner, who will be announced at a gala dinner in Franschhoek on 15 November, will receive two airline tickets to visit the well known Napa Valley in San Franciso, USA as well as R25 000 spending money.According to Dave Hughes CWM, who chaired this year’s judging panel, the competition was very tough, which made it difficult to select the finest from the 75 entries received. Only winemakers 30 years and younger may participate in this competition, which was established 13 years ago.Any red wine (varietal or blends) could be entered this year for the coveted prize.Louis’s winning wines was De Krans first release of a red wine produced from the Portuguese cultivar Tinta Roriz from the 2013 vintage. This unique wine, of which there are just over 2 000 bottles produced, is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months before bottling. According to Louis, the wine has a dark plum-red color, with complex aromas of dark fruit, mulberries, cherries and spice, which is well complimented by vanilla and ripe, soft tannins and a long, lingering finish.For more information about De Krans Tinta Roriz or any other wines or ports in the range contact at [email protected], phone 044- -2,133,314, or visit the website www.dekrans.co.za.