As we approach the end of the year at breakneck speed, I am sure most will be relieved to see the back of 2009. I don’t have to go into detail to describe this year as being one of the most challenging in living memory.

For me and the team at The Wine Society it has been a very successful year. We formulated and agreed on  a strategy at the beginning of the year and with just days before we close…can honestly say we have exceeded all our expectations.

We decided to stick to the knitting and focus on delivering an exceptional fine wine service to our existing customers and at the same time continued building on our strong relationships with the wine farms.

We have a fantastic team and have managed to achieve so much this year.

Some of my highlights this year was:

• Completing the grueling Wine Tasting Academy course in January.
• Hosting a hugely successful Diners Club Wine Futures dinner at the Johannesburg Hyatt in July.
• Another fantastic Wade Bales Wine Festival at the Knysna Oyster Festival in July.
• Judging at the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year competition in October.
• Attending the International Wine Club Conference in France in November.
• And finally taking 40 of SA’s top producers to Johannesburg as part of the inaugural Wade Bales Wine Festival at Melrose Arch. Busy year!!

So from all of us at The Wine Society, here’s wishing you and all your loved ones a fantastic festive season.

Wade