Press release - 1787 Wine Cellar wins award 2021
PRESS RELEASE
KZN NORTH COAST WINE CELLAR WINS AT THE STANDARD BANK KZN TOP BUSINESS AWARDS
The Seventeen87 Wine Cellar at Sugar Rush Park in Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast caught the bouquet when it came tops in the Small Business Start-up category at the 2021 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Hybrid Awards.
The Seventeen87 Wine Cellar was launched in October 2020 by Enterprise iLembe to offer locals and visitors an experiential tourism offering: a combination of “history and wine”.
The idea of the iLembe Vineyards & Winery Project was conceptualized by Enterprise iLembe with funding assistance from the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The brand Seventeen87 pays homage to the King of the Zulu Nation, King Shaka who was born in 1787.
The collection boasts of the following great wines; Merlot, Rose, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Villard Blanc.
In light of the many businesses impacted by COVID-19, the award received by Enterprise iLembe is all the more significant as it represents start-up businesses that have turned an idea into a successful business despite the challenges of the pandemic.
In the Small Business Start-up category businesses were judged on how they coped with challenges, particularly given the circumstances of 2020.
Cheryl Peters, Acting CEO at Enterprise iLembe Economic Development Agency said she is still overwhelmed by this amazing accomplishment and is incredibly proud of the Seventeen87 team who put all their energy and effort into making this creative idea a successful business today.
“This award gives makes us proud that we were able to start a business during the pandemic and overcome so many challenges.
“We are looking forward to hosting more locals and tourists at Seventeen87 Wine Cellar to give them the best KZN winery experience,” she said.
Chairperson of Enterprise iLembe Board Xolani Gumede said, “It could not have been easy for the judges to select a winner because there are so many great start-up businesses in KZN.
“I was blown away when we received the award. This award displays the amount of hard work achieved by the team at Seventeen87 Wine Cellar.”
Daniel Maerkl, project officer at Seventeen87 Wine Cellar said: “My biggest passion is to place KZN on an equal footing with the rest of South Africa in terms of wine knowledge and service.
“I am honoured that Seventeen87 Wine Cellar won the Small Business Start-up award from among so many other amazing businesses.
“The award will further encourage the team to create more innovative ways to provide locals and tourists with KZN's best wine.”
Media Enquiries, contact:
Cheryl Peters
Enterprise iLembe: Manager: Tourism & Marketing
Tel: 032 9461256 / 082 055 2010