Difference between revisions of "Distell"

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[[Distell]] is a Stellenbosch based wine and spirits company, with a major investment in the development and recognition of the arts in the Cape Region and in South Africa.
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= History of Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW), Distillers Corporation and Distell =
 
= History of Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW), Distillers Corporation and Distell =
  
  
== Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery ==
+
== [[Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery]] ==
 
 
 
 
SFW has long been a major force in the wine industry in South Africa. This company was the brainchild of William Charles Winshaw, an American medical doctor who came to South Africa in 1900 at the time of the Anglo Boer War. In 1925, SFW was created with Winshaw remaining as the MD of the organisation until 1962 when, at the age of 92, he retired. SFW, as the name implies, excelled at producing quality wines for the full spectrum of consumer needs. This company was also instrumental in the creation of a major new segment in our alcoholic beverage industry - ciders or alcoholic fruit beverages as we know them. One of the company's key strengths has always been innovation.
 
  
 +
The brainchild of William Charles Winshaw, an American medical doctor who came to South Africa in 1900 at the time of the Anglo Boer War. In 1925, SFW was created with Winshaw remaining as the MD of the organisation until 1962 when, at the age of 92, he retired. [[SFW]], as the name implies, excelled at producing quality wines for the full spectrum of consumer needs. This company was also instrumental in the creation of a major new segment in our alcoholic beverage industry - ciders or alcoholic fruit beverages as we know them. One of the company's key strengths has always been innovation.
  
== Distillers Corporation ==  
+
== [[Distillers Corporation]] ==  
  
The brainchild of South African business giant, Dr Anton Rupert, was registered as a corporation in 1945. Distillers expanded energetically and very quickly set up marketing relationships and partnerships in the wine and spirits industry. Soon this company also became a major producer, focusing on distillates and in particular on the brandy market that it developed from relative obscurity to its current level of prominence. It is renowned for its Bergkelder concept, a marketing innovation that invited wine estates to make use of Distillers' bottling, sales and marketing expertise. In addition, it created a new African icon, Amarula Cream, which today is one of the top-selling cream liqueurs in the world.
+
The brainchild of South African business giant, Dr [[Anton Rupert]], was registered as a corporation in 1945. [[Distillers]] expanded energetically and very quickly set up marketing relationships and partnerships in the wine and spirits industry. Soon this company also became a major producer, focusing on distillates and in particular on the brandy market that it developed from relative obscurity to its current level of prominence. It is renowned for its Bergkelder concept, a marketing innovation that invited wine estates to make use of Distillers' bottling, sales and marketing expertise. In addition, it created a new African icon, Amarula Cream, which today is one of the top-selling cream liqueurs in the world.
  
 
In the ensuing years, both SFW and Distillers effectively managed wine and spirits growth in South Africa, despite a restrictive business climate. The successes of both companies contributed largely towards the development of the liquor industry into a major force in the South African economy. In so doing, the companies became major creators of employment opportunities and wealth in South Africa.
 
In the ensuing years, both SFW and Distillers effectively managed wine and spirits growth in South Africa, despite a restrictive business climate. The successes of both companies contributed largely towards the development of the liquor industry into a major force in the South African economy. In so doing, the companies became major creators of employment opportunities and wealth in South Africa.
 
  
 
== Distell ==
 
== Distell ==
  
  
Distell was created in 2000 by the merger of Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW) and Distillers Corporation. These two companies joined forces to form the Distell Group, a move that will would benefit the industry as a whole through its rationalisation, refocusing and effective pooling of resources.
+
[[Distell]] was created in 2000 by the merger of [[Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery]] ([[SFW]]) and [[Distillers Corporation]]. These two companies joined forces to form the [[Distell Group]], a move that will would benefit the industry as a whole through its rationalisation, refocusing and effective pooling of resources.
  
= Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery and Cape Theatre Awards=
+
=Involvement in Arts and Theatre=
  
== Three Leaf Awards ==
+
While the company, in all its guises over the years, has been involved in the promotion and recognition of excellence in all aspects of South African culture, this section focusses on the investment in theatre and performance. This was done primarily through the '''[[Oude Meester Foundation for the Performing Arts]]'''.
  
 +
== Theatre Awards ==
  
=== History ===
 
 
  
The [[Three Leaf Awards]] for excellence in Western Cape Theatre were founded in 1965 by [[Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery]]. In 1979 they became the [[Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards]]
+
===  The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards ===
  
=== Awards and winners ===
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In 1978 the '''[[Oude Meester Foundation for the Performing Arts]]''', which had been created after [[Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery]] took over the sponsorship of the the former '''[[Three Leaf Arts Award]]''' (first instituted and managed by the [[United Tobacco Company]] in 1965-1977). awards, renaming them the '''[[Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards]]'''. (The name derived from Fleur du Cap, an old wine farm in Somerset West and a brand name used by [[Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery]]. The [[Nederburg Music Awards]] were also sponsored by the company.) In  2000 [[Distillers Corporation]] merged to form [[Distell]], and the [[Oude Meester Foundation for the Arts]] was renamed [[Distell Arts and Culture]].
  
= Distell and Cape Theatre Awards=
+
The aim of the awards are to recognize excellence in theatre by giving awards to top professionals for distinguished acting, directing and technical abilities in 16 different categories. A Special [[Lifetime Achievement Award]] and for a while in later years a [[People's Choice Award]],  are usually announced and presented at the ceremony.
  
 +
They are presented in March every year. Formerly it was an afternoon affair held on a Sunday, but in the new millennium, under the auspices of the [[Distell Arts and Culture]] foundation, it became a more glamorous evening affair hosted by a Cape Town theatre, where South African entertainers perform and tickets are made available to the general public through [[Computicket]]. All funds generated are donated to development in the performing arts.
  
 +
Awards presented included:
  
  
== Oude Meester Foundation for the Arts ==
+
Among the winners over the years have been:
  
 
== Funding ==
 
== Funding ==
  
== Fleur du Cap Awards ==
+
Besides awarding excellence, the Foundation also sponsors a number of projects. Believing that art is a universal language which everyone understands and can be used as a tool to create jobs, to educate and develop mutual respect for the immense diversity of cultures and people in the country, many arts and culture projects and events are supported throughout South Africa. Among the items supported have been new indigenous plays, contemporary and traditional dance productions, multi-media poetry projects, classical, African and  jazz concerts at the many of the [[Arts Festivals]]. The festivals include: the [[Grahamstown Festival]] in the Eastern Cape, the [[Aardklop]] Festival in the North Western province, The [[Volksblad Festival]] in Bloemfontein, the [[Cederberg Festival]] in the Western Cape, the [[Hilton Arts Festival]] in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the [[KKNK]] in Outdshoorn, the [[Kalfie Festival]] in Hermanus, the [[Woordfees]], in Stellenbosch, the [[Suidoosterfees]], the [[Cape Town Festival]], the [[Ikhwezi Community Festival]] and the  [[Imvelo Festival]] in Cape Town.  
 
 
=== History ===
 
 
 
Renamed in 1978 when Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery and Distillers Corporation merged to form Distell
 
 
 
=== Awards and winners ===
 
 
 
Excellence in theatre is recognised by giving awards to top professionals for distinguished acting, directing and technical abilities in 16 different categories. The Special Lifetime Achievement Award and People’s Choice Award are announced and presented at the ceremony.
 
 
 
 
 
=== Award Ceremonies ===
 
 
 
 
 
The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are presented at a glamorous evening affair, is held annually in March and is under the auspices of Distell Arts & Culture. Top South African entertainers also perform at this glam event and tickets are available through Computicket. All funds generated are donated to development in the performing arts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Distell Arts and Culture==
 
 
 
Distell has actively been supporting the arts in South Africa for the past forty years. Art is a universal language which everyone understands and is used as a tool to create jobs, to educate and develop mutual respect for the immense diversity of cultures and people in our beautiful country. Many Arts & Culture projects and events were supported throughout South Africa which included dance, poetry, music and drama.  
 
 
 
 
 
=== Funding ===
 
 
 
New indigenous plays, contemporary and traditional dance productions, multi-media poetry projects, classical, African & jazz concerts at the many of the Art Festivals were supported. These festivals include: Grahamstown Arts Festival in the Eastern Cape, Aardklop Festival in the North Western province, Volksblad Festival in Bloemfontein, Cederberg Festival in the Western Cape, Hilton Arts Festival in Kwa-Zulu Natal, KKNK in Outdshoorn, Kalfie Festival in Hermanus, Woordfest in Stellenbosch, Suidooster festival in Cape Town and The Cape Town Festival.
 
 
 
Workshops and master classes by professional South African and international musicians are given to new and upcoming talent at the various universities of South Africa. The students are also given the opportunity to perform with professional orchestras. Various classical, African and jazz concerts as well as Chamber Music festivals which include local and international musicians are presented by the music departments of the universities which we support.
 
 
 
Community development projects are supported. The Kayamandi arts project in Stellenbosch is a recent project which was initiated a year ago with the collaboration of Distell, the Woordfest and the Kaya Mandi Trust. Local and international professional musicians give workshops to the youth who wishes to pursue a career in the arts. New talent is given an opportunity to be part of a mentoring programme where musicians assist them to one day be able to sustain a profession.
 
 
 
The Ikhwezi Community Festival an outreach project presented by the Baxter Theatre is supported by Distell. Young talent from the rural areas is scouted through auditions which take place over a period of a few months. Fifteen groups coming as far a field as Port Elizabeth and Umtata are given six month workshops in the field. Four week pre-production rehearsals are held at the Baxter and UCT College to get them all set to partake in a three week run of their productions at the Baxter Theatre.  
 
 
 
Outreach and audience development projects in collaboration with Artscape are supported. The Imvelo Feast, a month long celebration of South African heritage was held to showcase the diversity of cultures. Performers included ballet, contemporary, African and Indian dance, African indigenous musical instruments, opera & contemporary songs and a youth jazz band. 
 
 
 
Other development projects we are also involved with is a collaboration with Magnet Theatre Outreach Projects, the Jazzart Job creation programmes and a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) programme done in collaboration with Take Away Theatre Group which run on farms in the Boland community. 
 
 
 
Support was given to the Youth Classical and Jazz Music Festivals where young talent was given the opportunity to perform with a professional Orchestra. Young musicians attended intensive music workshops, rehearsals and master classes and then performed with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and a visiting international conductor.
 
 
 
Vredendal Community Project in collaboration with Artscape was supported. Theatre was taken to the rural areas and workshops given to talented youth. The different genres included ballet, opera and contemporary dance presented by JazzArt Dance Group.
 
 
 
Annual Classical, African and jazz concerts are presented and supported at various venues throughout South Africa. Winter and Summer Concerts Series are held at wine estates such as Nederburg and Uitkyk.
 
 
 
Support is given to the annual Oude Libertas Amphitheatre Summer Season where wine song and dance forms a perfect blend. 
 
 
 
Funding cycle and closing dates for proposals:
 
 
 
Our financial cycle runs from July – June each year. Funding proposal should reach our offices by 15 February – feedback will be given by end of June. We work one year in advance so all funds in the cycle July 2010 - June 2011 have already been committed. The next funding cycle will only be considered in February 2011 for projects running from July 2011 – June 2012.
 
 
 
Criteria for sponsorship:
 
We only support development projects in the performing arts and unfortunately do not support:
 
 
 
•Choirs
 
•Individual artists or musicians
 
•CD projects
 
•Local and overseas trips, accommodation or travel expenses
 
•Office equipment or infrastructure
 
•Individual productions or concerts – we only support it through collaborations with theatres, universities or art festivals.
 
We are a liquor company and therefore also do not support projects where children under eighteen are involved or are the direct beneficiaries, as we do not want to be perceived as promoting liquor amongst the youth. 
 
 
 
 
 
== Fleur du Cap Awards ==
 
 
 
=== History ===
 
 
 
Renamed in 1978 when Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery and Distillers Corporation merged to form Distell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
=== Awards and winners ===
 
Excellence in theatre is recognised by giving awards to top professionals for distinguished acting, directing and technical abilities in 16 different categories. The Special Lifetime Achievement Award and People’s Choice Award are announced and presented at the ceremony.
 
 
 
 
 
=== Award Ceremonies ===
 
  
 +
Community development projects are supported.  These include. The [[Kayamandi Arts Project]], [[Magnet Theatre]] Outreach Projects, the [[Jazzart]] Job creation programmes and a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) programme done in collaboration with [[Take Away Theatre Group]] which run on farms in the Boland community.  A number of outreach and audience development projects run by [[Artscape]] are also supported, including the [[Vredendal Community Project]].
 +
Support is given to the annual [[Oude Libertas Amphitheatre]] Summer Season where wine song and dance forms a perfect blend. 
  
The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are presented at a glamorous evening affair, is held annually in March and is under the auspices of Distell Arts & Culture.  Top South African entertainers also perform at this glam event and tickets are available through Computicket. All funds generated are donated to development in the performing arts.  
+
For many years the foundation was also one of the sponsers of the [[South African Theatre Journal]].
  
  
 
== Capetheatre website ==
 
== Capetheatre website ==
  
 +
At one stage the following was reported:
  
Cape Town’s comprehensive one-stop gateway to the city’s vibrant local theatre scene, the interactive website www.capetheatre.co.za is an initiative of the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards and forms part of Distell’s social investment initiative. This website, edited by award winning journalist Marianne Thamm, is an extension of the company’s involvement in sponsoring, nurturing and highlighting theatre and theatrical talent in the city. The website features theatre news, a calendar, reviews by the city’s leading theatre critics, interviews and profiles of theatre personalities, restaurant listings and detailed information about forthcoming productions and development in theatre. It also provides extensive information about individual theatres including location and seating capacity.
+
A new departure has been an interactive website (at http://www.capetheatre.co.za) by the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards under Distell's social investment initiative. Edited by award winning journalist [[Marianne Thamm]], is an extension of the company's involvement in sponsoring, nurturing and highlighting theatre and theatrical talent in the city. The website features theatre news, a calendar, reviews by the city’s leading theatre critics, interviews and profiles of theatre personalities, restaurant listings and detailed information about forthcoming productions and development in theatre. It also provides extensive information about individual theatres including location and seating capacity.
  
 +
However, the website no longer seems to exist, for the link takes you back to the general Distell website.
  
 +
= Sources =
  
== For more details ==
+
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_du_Cap_Theatre_Awards
  
Go to http://www.distell.co.za/
+
The [[Distell]] website at http://www.distell.co.za/
  
== Return to ==
+
= Return to =
  
  

Latest revision as of 06:42, 23 September 2023

Distell is a Stellenbosch based wine and spirits company, with a major investment in the development and recognition of the arts in the Cape Region and in South Africa.

History of Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW), Distillers Corporation and Distell

Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery

The brainchild of William Charles Winshaw, an American medical doctor who came to South Africa in 1900 at the time of the Anglo Boer War. In 1925, SFW was created with Winshaw remaining as the MD of the organisation until 1962 when, at the age of 92, he retired. SFW, as the name implies, excelled at producing quality wines for the full spectrum of consumer needs. This company was also instrumental in the creation of a major new segment in our alcoholic beverage industry - ciders or alcoholic fruit beverages as we know them. One of the company's key strengths has always been innovation.

Distillers Corporation

The brainchild of South African business giant, Dr Anton Rupert, was registered as a corporation in 1945. Distillers expanded energetically and very quickly set up marketing relationships and partnerships in the wine and spirits industry. Soon this company also became a major producer, focusing on distillates and in particular on the brandy market that it developed from relative obscurity to its current level of prominence. It is renowned for its Bergkelder concept, a marketing innovation that invited wine estates to make use of Distillers' bottling, sales and marketing expertise. In addition, it created a new African icon, Amarula Cream, which today is one of the top-selling cream liqueurs in the world.

In the ensuing years, both SFW and Distillers effectively managed wine and spirits growth in South Africa, despite a restrictive business climate. The successes of both companies contributed largely towards the development of the liquor industry into a major force in the South African economy. In so doing, the companies became major creators of employment opportunities and wealth in South Africa.

Distell

Distell was created in 2000 by the merger of Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW) and Distillers Corporation. These two companies joined forces to form the Distell Group, a move that will would benefit the industry as a whole through its rationalisation, refocusing and effective pooling of resources.

Involvement in Arts and Theatre

While the company, in all its guises over the years, has been involved in the promotion and recognition of excellence in all aspects of South African culture, this section focusses on the investment in theatre and performance. This was done primarily through the Oude Meester Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Theatre Awards

The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards

In 1978 the Oude Meester Foundation for the Performing Arts, which had been created after Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery took over the sponsorship of the the former Three Leaf Arts Award (first instituted and managed by the United Tobacco Company in 1965-1977). awards, renaming them the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards. (The name derived from Fleur du Cap, an old wine farm in Somerset West and a brand name used by Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery. The Nederburg Music Awards were also sponsored by the company.) In 2000 Distillers Corporation merged to form Distell, and the Oude Meester Foundation for the Arts was renamed Distell Arts and Culture.

The aim of the awards are to recognize excellence in theatre by giving awards to top professionals for distinguished acting, directing and technical abilities in 16 different categories. A Special Lifetime Achievement Award and for a while in later years a People's Choice Award, are usually announced and presented at the ceremony.

They are presented in March every year. Formerly it was an afternoon affair held on a Sunday, but in the new millennium, under the auspices of the Distell Arts and Culture foundation, it became a more glamorous evening affair hosted by a Cape Town theatre, where South African entertainers perform and tickets are made available to the general public through Computicket. All funds generated are donated to development in the performing arts.

Awards presented included:


Among the winners over the years have been:

Funding

Besides awarding excellence, the Foundation also sponsors a number of projects. Believing that art is a universal language which everyone understands and can be used as a tool to create jobs, to educate and develop mutual respect for the immense diversity of cultures and people in the country, many arts and culture projects and events are supported throughout South Africa. Among the items supported have been new indigenous plays, contemporary and traditional dance productions, multi-media poetry projects, classical, African and jazz concerts at the many of the Arts Festivals. The festivals include: the Grahamstown Festival in the Eastern Cape, the Aardklop Festival in the North Western province, The Volksblad Festival in Bloemfontein, the Cederberg Festival in the Western Cape, the Hilton Arts Festival in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the KKNK in Outdshoorn, the Kalfie Festival in Hermanus, the Woordfees, in Stellenbosch, the Suidoosterfees, the Cape Town Festival, the Ikhwezi Community Festival and the Imvelo Festival in Cape Town.

Community development projects are supported. These include. The Kayamandi Arts Project, Magnet Theatre Outreach Projects, the Jazzart Job creation programmes and a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) programme done in collaboration with Take Away Theatre Group which run on farms in the Boland community. A number of outreach and audience development projects run by Artscape are also supported, including the Vredendal Community Project. Support is given to the annual Oude Libertas Amphitheatre Summer Season where wine song and dance forms a perfect blend.

For many years the foundation was also one of the sponsers of the South African Theatre Journal.


Capetheatre website

At one stage the following was reported:

A new departure has been an interactive website (at http://www.capetheatre.co.za) by the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards under Distell's social investment initiative. Edited by award winning journalist Marianne Thamm, is an extension of the company's involvement in sponsoring, nurturing and highlighting theatre and theatrical talent in the city. The website features theatre news, a calendar, reviews by the city’s leading theatre critics, interviews and profiles of theatre personalities, restaurant listings and detailed information about forthcoming productions and development in theatre. It also provides extensive information about individual theatres including location and seating capacity.

However, the website no longer seems to exist, for the link takes you back to the general Distell website.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_du_Cap_Theatre_Awards

The Distell website at http://www.distell.co.za/

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