The Jem launch 2017
Stellenbosch, South Africa — Waterford Estate was proud to host an exclusive launch event for The Jem 2017, bringing together guests, wine enthusiasts, and industry leaders in a celebration of South African winemaking excellence.
With a luxurious start and a captivating afternoon of storytelling, rare vintage tastings, and surprise cultural performances, the event honoured both the legacy and the bold future of Waterford’s signature wine, The Jem.
Guests arrived at Waterford Estates tasting room, where a fleet of Land Rovers, courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover, awaited, providing a journey through the lens of luxury as the guests where escorted to a secluded location on the farm. Here, the guests mingled with canapés alongside the Waterford Cap Classique, setting the tone for the day ahead.
As the guests gathered, Waterford Estates cellarmaster Mark le Roux welcomed them, recognising their role as key storytellers for South African wine and the Jem. "Story, history, and passion are what sells wine, and it is you - the restaurateurs, sommeliers, and wine enthusiasts - who share this passion, growing the South African wine brand," he said, underscoring the collective journey of those dedicated to South African wine.
Back at the estate’s tasting room, guests were seated at a stunning long table decorated with elements from the vineyard itself, an authentic nod to the terroir from which The Jem was born. Mark introduced the first tasting flight, which he described as “The Beginning” - a progression through the 2004, 2005, and 2006 vintages of The Jem. Guiding guests through the story of each vintage, Mark recalled how The Jem 2004 was inspired by the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Reserve 2003, a tribute to precision and the pure mathematical proportions of Waterford’s vineyards. The flight demonstrated The Jem’s impressive ageing potential, with the 2004 vintage emerging as a standout favourite for its vibrancy and complexity even two decades later.
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The evening’s next highlight was an introduction by Jeremy Maarschalk, a member of the marketing team, who shared The Jem 2017’s recent accolades, including its 97-point rating in Tim Atkin's South African Special Report 2024. "With over 2,200 wines tasted, The Jem 2017 has been placed among the top 16 wines in Tim Atkin’s Report, and it currently ranks as the number-one South African red wine on Vivino in the USA," he announced. This achievement, he noted, reaffirms the estates commitment to excellence, earning praise from Wine Advocate’s Anthony Mueller, who described The Jem as “a devastatingly gorgeous wine.”
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