This year’s edition of the Essence of Vergelegen photo contest saw the entry of nearly 500 photographers.
The annual competition, hosted by the wine estate in Somerset West, received entries ranging from primary school pupils to those in retirement.
According to the estate, winners were announced on Thursday May 9, after undergoing a rigorous selection process in partnership with Orms Direct camera store in collaboration with Canon.
The finalists’ subjects ranged from the historic homestead and exquisite gardens, to the Lourens River and surrounding mountain ranges.
The winner of the Camera Class (taken on any camera, with or without lenses) was Jamie van Zyl, who portrayed his wife Sterna walking along a tree-shaded garden path. He took home a R1 500 Orms voucher and a collection of six Vergelegen wines.
Mr Van Zyl, a regular visitor to the estate, described his photographic style as “bringing people into nature.” Based in Paarl, he visits Vergelegen regularly to photograph his grandchildren, daughter and wife in this serene location. “You don’t get many natural places like this, and it’s such a lovely environment for everyone,” he says.
Second place in Camera Class went to Heinrich Knoetze and third place to Thomas Moss.
The Smartphone Class (taken on a cellphone or mobile device) winner was Somerset West local Anel Kriel, also a frequent visitor to the estate with her four daughters. Ms Kriel’s subject was an historic bell, manufactured in France and dating back to 1733, which is rung at the start of the harvest and other happy occasions. She also won a R1500 Orms voucher and six bottles of Vergelegen wine.
Second place in Smartphone Class went to Murray Williams and third place to Daniel Martin.
Madison-Sophia Hoffmeester, a seven-year-old pupil at Generation School in Somerset West, won an Instax camera for her photograph of the Vergelegen homestead, with four deckchairs in the foreground. She won the Junior Class (16 years and under, image taken on any device).
Furthermore, the joint second place was awarded to Ziya Richter and Oliver Hayes, and joint third place to Joshua Hickley and Jacques le Grange.
The People’s Choice award, which guests voted for at the function, went to Jessie Summerfield.
“The most important part of this competition is the support we get from locals – they make up the soul and spirit of the farm,” said Vergelegen managing director Wayne Coetzer.
“Vergelegen was acquired and restored to be enjoyed by all South Africans, and we thank everyone who participated.”
Vergelegen marketing manager Caroline van Schalkwyk said the standard of entries had improved markedly in this second edition of the contest. She thanked partner Orms Direct for their prizes, and for selecting the top 10 finalists in each class.
Visitors to Vergelegen can see the finalists’ photographs which will be displayed in the Vergelegen library from Saturday May 18 to Sunday June 16.
