DO IT NOW Magazine article 11-07-12

inDULGE:

Words & Photos by Dianne Ramage

The Heart of Wine The Wine Show, held over the last weekend in June at Emerald Casino Resorts, turned out to be a spectacular and highly successful event where visitors enjoyed a choice of more than 200 wines from about 30 estates. However, the main attraction and star of the show was Ryk Neethling, who signed bottles of his Val de Vie wines and all proceeds raised went to the Wine Show's charity of choice C4C. www.doitnow.co.za • 1

Chairman of the Wine route and co owner of Waterfront Country Lodge: Sean Greeff, Wine Maker of Val de Vie wines: Harold Versfeld and Ryk Neethling of Val De Vie Wines Wine maker Francois from Muratie in the Cape with Brent Carpenter of Vinimark & Wineworx

Sylviavale Heritage Museum – with a 1949 Ox wagon used as their wine tasting table

Rosemary owner of Stonehaven on Vaal sampling the olives with a friend

People relaxing outside the Stonehaven stand and 6779 Tasting at the Liquor City stand

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Makro stand. Serving Cheese and wine

The occasion also served to introduce each of the venues that will make up Gauteng's very own Vaal River Meander Wine Route festival, which is scheduled to take place over the next eight weeks, from 7 July to 26 August. Newcomers to the route are Iketleng and Shisanyama, pushing the number of venues on this year's route to 12.

Gauteng's Own Wine Route

Now into its ninth year, the Vaal River Meander Wine Route has differentiated itself from what you might find on the other wine routes with its record number of modes of transportation to get to the different venues. There's no need to drive when you can choose from a vintage car, luxury cruiser, limousine, helicopter, speedboat, houseboat, donkey cart and tour bus/ taxi to transport you from one venue to the next. Tailored wine tasting with food pairing packages are also available to companies and individuals looking for something extra special. In addition to the wonderful selection of wines to tempt the palate, venues will offer a variety of experiences and specials, specific to that venue, such as: • Helicopter flips (5 and 10 minutes) • Return trips from Rand Airport by helicopter with wine tasting packages • Sunday cruising buffet lunches • Wine pairings – three and four course meals at reduced prices • Cheese and snack platters • One-hour wine tasting cruises • Group cruising wine tours that stop at three venues nestled on the banks of the Vaal River • Speed boat cruises for a minimum of four, maximum eight people, with wine tastings at four venues on the river • Overnight specials on accommodation from Emerald and Waterfront Country Lodge, as well as some B&Bs in the region for the duration of the Wine Route festival • Entertainment on specified weekends.

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Participating venues

Emerald Casino Resort * Liquid Lounge * Mon Ami Restaurant * The Shack * Stonehaven on Vaal * Sylviavale Heritage Museum * The River Palace * Waterfront Country Lodge * The Shakespeare Inn * The Dome * Iketleng Buy and Braai Pub * Shisanyama With each venue offering a selection of between 8 and 25 different wines from the best South African Wine Estates, this is a must-do outing for any lovers of the grape.

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For more information about the event, please visit www.vaalwineroute.co.za

More articles in DO IT NOW Magazine:

❱❱ La Motte, a Balm for Your Body and Soul - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 3 Issue 1 ❱❱ Season’s of Mellow Fruitfulness - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 3 Issue 2 ❱❱ Indulge in the Pleasure of Wine - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 3 Issue 3 Visit the inDULGE Category page for more fascinating stories.

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