“Last week we featured a post where we asked various Cape Town personalities and industry colleagues in "the know", if they were stopped in the street and asked by a tourist to recommend just one wine estate to visit whilst they were in Cape Town, which one would it be and why?”

Last week we featured a post where we asked various Cape Town personalities and industry colleagues in “the know”, if they were stopped in the street and asked by a tourist to recommend just one wine estate to visit whilst they were in Cape Town, which one would it be and why?

Today we continue with Part 2 – featuring some wonderful opinions from a digital marketer, a whisky distiller and an Incidental Tourist!

To read part 1 – click here and to read the post that started it all, click here.

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Francois Botha – Entrepreneur and owner of Quick Online, digital marketing

“My all-time favourite Cape wine farm has to be Môreson. I simply cannot drive in to Franschhoek without stopping off there to first stock up on some supplies for the weekend.

Driving through the lemon orchards to Môreson is like being transported to a Mediterranean island. Their crisp whites and Bordeaux style reds, paired with some charcuterie from their own farm and bread baked on the premises – makes for the perfect start of a weekend in Franschhoek. If you’re an event lover – watch out for their annual “Blessing of the harvest”, which makes for a great day out, trying your hand at grape picking and stomping.”

What We Think

Make a point to sample the Charcuterie platter at Bread & Wine, which is the restaurant at Môreson. Served on a large wooden “vessel” the platter consists of an array of cured meats (chorizo, salami, ham and more), cheese, olives, rocket salad and a selection of home-made breads. The food, ambiance and wine at Bread & Wine create the perfect setting for a long, lazy lunch. Plus the wine is impressive – and Bread & Wine charges the same price as the farm.

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Lloyd van der Merwe – Owner of luxury hotel Majeka House in Stellenbosch

“This is a very difficult question for a wine lover who lives in Stellenbosch but for a tourist who is only able to visit one winery it would have to be Warwick Wine Farm.

The reasons are:

– When driving onto the property the feel is that of a proper historic working farm.
– The selection of superb wines to cater for all tastes.
– The restaurant is good and you will get the best picnic available in the wine lands

It is an unpretentious yet beautiful farm where the main focus is the enjoyment of good wine and good food.”

 

What We Think

We love the story behind the estate and its diversity. As well as the excellent wine, the estate offers gourmet picnics created by renowned Chef Bruce Robertson and has introduced their “Big Five” wine safaris. Be sure to try the infamous Warwick Trilogy or alternatively, The First Lady, a smooth red – aptly honoring Norma Ratcliff the matriarch of this legendary wine making family.

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Dawn Jorgensen – Jorgensen’s Distillery and author of the Incidental Tourist Blog

“First and foremost I’m a bubbly girl, so when recommending a favourite wine estate I do find this swaying my choice. That and the fact that I live in Wellington, and take any opportunity to promote the wonderful farms of friends and neighbours, and entice tourists out to this part of the Winelands. My recommendation is therefore Klein Optenhorst in the Bovlei Valley. Owned by Naas and Jenny Ferreira, the estate is well know for its Pinot Noir, and they have just released their 1st vintage of Pinot Noir Cap Classique made by renowned bubbly maker Pieter Ferreira. It is fabulous and all off half a hectare of Pinot Noir planted in 1990, with this years release being only 1592 bottles

 

What We Think

A trip to Klein Optenhorst pleases on many levels. Wine and SA bubbly, the beautiful and well known terraced garden, 19th century farmhouse and special personal attention from the hosts. A magical combination and well worth the drive.

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Angelo Casu – Operations Manager at Grande Dédale, the exclusive wine lands Country House near Wellington

“My favourite wine estate is the small family concern, Ridgeback on the outskirts of Paarl. It is the ideal place for Tina and I to escape from our own wine farm and business as it is set amongst beautiful scenery overlooking the Paarl Rock. A nice pond with geese, ducks and swans can be admired while having a home cooked lunch on the wooden restaurant deck or sitting under the thatched umbrellas in the nearby garden. Ridgeback has a wide selection of wines but my favourite is their Viogner and their award winning Shiraz although I do not dislike their quaffable Vansha range”

 

What We Think

They also produce a mean Cabernet Franc too, rated as one of South Africa’s finest.  Of course the farm is not called Ridgeback for nothing and it is home to these beautiful breed of dog. As Ridgeback breeders you will often see the latest litter of puppies playing around the farm.

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Andy Watts – Head Whisky maker at James Sedgwick distillery in Wellington

As well as producing South Africa’s top whisky – the Three Ships brand, Andy also loves his wine. Originally from the UK, Andy has now lived in the Wine lands for over 20 years a place he now calls home.

“I first came across the Nederburg Winery during my second visit to South Africa back in 1983. The first impression it made on me was one of “if I ever stay in this country and marry a South African lady then this will be the place I will hold my reception”. Little did I know then what an impression it did make as it became a reality in 1986!

From entering the estate with its vineyards on either side of the road to the warm reception at the modern tasting centre you know this is a special place full of wine lands history.

With the majestic Drakenstein Mountains as a backdrop and a view of the Paarlberg from the Manor House there is no better way to spend a sultry summer’s afternoon than with a welcoming glass of Nederburg Cuvee Brut and a picnic lunch accompanied by a bottle of the  Manor House Sauvignon Blanc.”

What We Think

Good choice Andy. We too love the historic feel of the estate, the picnics on the lawns and especially their “ingenuity” an award winning white blend. The platter guide has also just voted Nederburg as their winery of the year so Andy is in good company.

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Antonia Labia Hardes-Williams – Director of the newly restored gallery, event venue Casa Labia.

“One of the many fortunate things about living in Cape Town is that we are in such close proximity to world class wineries seated in intensely beautiful scenery.  My favourite is a mere 5 minute drive from my home in Wynberg and a very easy fifteen minute drive from the city centre. Klein Constantia in Constantia is one the country’s most historic wine estates with nobility of yesteryear and the likes of Napoleon listed as their patrons.  Today, thankfully the wines have a broader appeal and I love picking up a few bottles of the red and white from their KC range.  These wines are always of a superior quality, but offered at a very pleasing price.  When feeling a bit more decadent (and when I can get it) I pick up a bottle of the Klein Constantia Perdblokke Sauvignon Blanc, the 2010 have everything, I look no further than the iconic sweet wine Vin de Constance – pure bottled indulgence.”

 

What We Think

The Klein Constantia Vin de Constance has become world famous amongst the international community as not only was it Napoleon Bonaparte’s favourite wine, but Jane Austin also believed that the Vin de Constance was capable of mending a broken heart. We don’t know about that but Klein Constantia is an estate steeped in history and a “must visit” on the Constantia Wine Route.

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Elmine Nel – Hotel Manager at Babylonstoren

“I’ve had the great privilege of spending the past two and a half years working in the Maldives!  It was a wonderful experience but have put me a little out of touch with all the development in our South African wine industry.  But I’m back now and having great fun discovering all the new gems!

Certainly one of my very favourites is Bartinney on the very high slopes of Helshoogte Pass just outside Stellenbosch. It is a small boutique style wine farm with an interesting history and absolutely stunning views of the Banghoek Valley.  Run by very passionate Michael and Rose Jordaan and wines made by charming Therese De Beer they are not only producing gorgeous wine but also putting tons of good back into the earth, in fact, more than 5000 trees and fynbos so far.

The tasting room is superbly decorated with a contemporary yet South African feel and the winelabels are strikingly beautiful featuring a Kendridge-like angel and bright burnt orange capsules.  I love their Chardonnay, love it, love it and it’s very good value for money. Make the effort, call to book a tasting and go try their wine made on a mountain!”

 

What We Think

Probably the biggest draw card about Bartinney is the hands-on attitude of Therese, the wine maker. She is always available to come meet visitors to the farm and enjoys taking guests through their tastings of the Bartinney wines herself. Both the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are fantastic and have received rave reviews from all who taste it.

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And there you have it – if you’re ever stuck with in the winelands with only time to spare for 1  wine estate, you have quite the list to choose from that will ensure a memorable visit! A big thank you to all the individuals who take part in this unique guest blog post.