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02/11/2006 10:54 AM - (SA) US mag punts Helderberg's 96 03.11.2006
Hailed as the definitive wine publication in the US, Wine Spectator annually recognises a choice of top restaurants from around the world whose winelists offer a polished selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. 96 Winery Road clinched South Africa's first ever ranking out of a record total of 3772 wine-friendly restaurants from more than 50 countries. Matching all criteria, the 96 Winery Road winelist scored an Award of Exellence - one of three tiers in the programme - for an impressive bouquet of premium local wines and world benchmarks from the global vineyard including a smattering of peculiarities from leading wine producing countries. "We value this award as a groundbreaking achievement, not only for ourselves as a 10-year old teen in a competitive industry, but for the entire country. We are ecstatic to be included in the world's best culinary circles," says Ken Forrester, restaurateur, winemaker and co-founder of 96 Winery Road. "Over the years we have learned never to prejudge our diners. If they want to spend, offer them a choice and don't be tempted to censor your wine list by thinking they will only buy in a certain price range. Rather present them with a comprehensive selection," says Forrester. The Wine Spectator Wine Award follows shortly after 96 Winery Road received the highest accolade at the 2006 Diners Club Winelist Awards - the Award of Excellence - the only country restaurant between Hermanus and Paarl to be awarded this honour. Premium imported wines on the 96 Winery Road winelist include Barollo from Italy; Cabernet and Zinfandel from California; Chateau Mouton Rothschild and wines from Bordeaux; Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Shiraz from Chateauneuf Du Pape and South Australia. Locally, the restaurant focuses on wines that are consistent in quality, whether from boutique estates or big wineries, as well as those that are popular. Situated as they are, in one of the premier-winemaking regions of the world, their wine list also showcases a selection of the best wines from the Helderberg region. "All the wines on our list are wines we like to enjoy ourselves. We also offer our guests a fair markup by not loading our wine prices, adding to why they keep returning to our doorstep," says restaurant manager and co-owner Allan Forrester. Visitors to the restaurant will be able to try out a new summer menu, prepared by executive chef Craig Backhouse. Founded by Ken Forrester and Martin Meinert in 1996, the restaurant has developed a loyal following of discerning local and foreign diners. 96 Winery Road is open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sundays for lunch only. The restaurant is situated on Zandberg Estate, Winery Road, off the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
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