Say Cheers, the leading name in wine retailing in Ghana, over the weekend organized the first ever wine festival in the country.
The maiden wine festival which was held at the Labadi Beach Hotel was also geared towards raising funds to support the Korle-Bu Cardiothoracic Centre.
The event attracted wine makers, retailers, buyers, tasters and other stakeholders in the wine industry from a number of countries including France, South Africa and Chile.
Say Cheers is the local representative of these stakeholders and other wine makers around the world.
The event was followed by a formal dinner prepared exclusively by Executive Chef Gary Lane, at the Labadi Beach Hotel with each course featuring a different wine variety and brief wine appreciation information.
Each table was named after the world-class wineries and brands such as Spier, Arniston Bay, 4 Cousins, Arabella, Springbok, Rugby Player Schalk, Burger’s, Welbedacht, Saronsberg, Boekenhoutskloof, Rupert & Rothschild, Lanson and many more.
Some exotic and expensive wines were auctioned at the event to raise funds for the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Centre.
“We are delighted to be involved in this venture. We did not only focus on having fun with good wine and food, but also to raise funds to support a worthy cause. Say Cheers is happy to contribute to make society a better place. Good wine is good for the heart and Say Cheers is interested in anything pertaining to the human heart,” says Herman Kuhn, CEO of Say Cheers.
Other items auctioned included an autographed Springbok Rugby Jersey of Schalk Burger Jnr., a photo of Springbok Rugby Father and Son, Schalk Snr., & Schalk Jnr., Burger, a dinner for the highest bidder and 10 friends in their own home by Executive Chef of the Labadi Beach Hotel and the big one: 2 Business Class return air tickets compliments of SAA to Cape Town with 2 nights’ accommodation at the Commodore Legacy Hotel and 4 nights at 4 different wine estates over harvesting time with vineyard tours and wine tasting at some of the participating wine estates.
Saturday 25th September, 2009 was opened to the public for wine tasting in the lush gardens of the Labadi Beach Hotel with entertainment from Salsa dancing to some of the top entertainers in Ghana.
As part of the event, the Executive Chef of Labadi Beach Hotel, Mr. Gary Lane’s gained an entry into the Guinness Book of Records for making the longest pizza in Africa under the watchful eyes of officials from the Guinness Book of Records.
In forty-seven minutes, the 105.7 metre-long pizza was made and was sold to guests at GH¢5.00 a slice, the proceeds of which were also donated to the Korle-bu Cardiothoracic Centre.
BY WILLIAM BEEKO