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My Summer
WINE
DECEMBER 2020
YOUR GUIDE TO THE HEMEL-EN-
T
he Walker Bay wine district’s most important road, the Hemel-en-Aarde R320, winds its way through South Africa’s premium cool climate wine region. It offers visitors to the area the opportunity to experience world-renowned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as some of our country’s best Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, and innovative blends. With vineyards deriving maximum benefit from the high elevation and cool sea breezes, this region is celebrated for its unique terroir and maritime climate that results in countless local and international accolades and awards for its wines. Carefully and sustainably managed vineyards, the unspoiled natural beauty of the mountains, ocean and blue skies of Walker Bay, guarantee visitors a thrilling, memorable experience. You will be warmly welcomed at the tasting venues on the various wine estates along this route, with each of them offering one or more of the following – wine tastings, platters, meals, nature walks and cellar tours. WINE VILLAGE
WHALEHAVEN
cation that echoes the beauty of the offerings. Each wine range presents its own unique take on the terroir and grapes, giving you a memorable experience with every glass.
Open for wine tasting and sales, Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 14:00. Taste four wines at R50 pp. Closed on Sundays, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day. Call 028 312 1791. Whalehaven was named after the protective bay that shelters breeding Southern Right Whales in the cool Cape winter months. Wines here are made with grapes from the Bottega family farm, Da Capo Vineyards in Somerset West, and their vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde. At the Wine Experience Centre in The Village interesting pairings are offered – try the artisan chocolate pairing or the jam pairing for something different. To book call 028 316 1633. Open for tasting and sales, Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:00 and Sunday 10:00 – 16:00. Closed on Christmas Day.
BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
The unique brand of country hospitality offered by the Eksteen family includes wine tastings, scrumptious platters and seasonal farm fare from the Maná deli/ bistro. Open Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 16:00. Call 076 760 1104 or 072 323 5060 to book. SOUTHERN RIGHT
HERMANUSPIETERSFONTEIN
The wine route is reached by taking the R320 turn-off to Caledon at the Sandbaai intersection. The gateway to the wine route is the Hemel-en-Aarde Village, where you will find the first two wineries, as well as the Wine Village. This iconic wine shop is owned by Paul and Cathy du Toit who, over the past 20 years, have built up one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of South African wines. Together with their friendly and knowledgeable staff, the Du Toits will help you find the right wines, as well as brandies, gins and spirits, to suit your taste and pocket. They also offer daily tastings and can deliver to your door worldwide. Wine Village is open every day, from Monday – Friday 09:00 – 18:00, Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 and Sunday 10:00 – 15:00... or until the last customer leaves! It will be closed on Christmas Day. Call 028 316 3988 or email wineoffice@hermanus. co.za.
acclaimed wines – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The elegant and highly individual wines are world-renowned and can be tasted on the stoep of the charming tasting room overlooking a dam.
Hermanuspietersfontein, also in Hemelen-Aarde Village a little further down Village Lane, is known for its remarkable Sauvignon Blancs and Bordeaux blend, and for its iconic Afrikaans wine names. An interesting selection of wine tastings – with quirky titles that include Kaalvoet Meisie and Skoonma, to name only two – range from R10 per wine to R50 for four to five wines.
Southern Right produces a popular Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinotage with labels depicting the Southern Right Whale. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of these wines goes to the conservation of their namesake. The cellar is open Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 14:00. Closed on Sundays, 25 & 26 December and 1 & 2 January. Call 028 312 1318.
The entrance to the Bartho Eksteen Farm is opposite Southern Right. Here you’ll find award-winning wines in a picturesque lo-
The tasting room is open Monday – Friday 09:30 – 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 13:00. Closed on Sundays and all public holidays. Call 028 312 3515. LA VIERGE
HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS
Open Monday – Friday 09:00 – 16:00 (last tasting starts at 15:00). Die Markie – a food and wine market that comfortably seats up to 400 guests – is open on Saturdays 09:00 – 14:00. Closed on Sundays, on Christmas Day and 1 January. Call 028 316 1875. BARTHO EKSTEEN WINES
Bouchard Finlayson’s flagship wine is the Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, for which celebrated winemaker Peter Finlayson has won many awards. Other varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, a popular white blend and hearty reds. Three wines can be tasted at R35 pp or six wines at R70 pp. Cellar tours and delicious deli platters are also available but have to be pre-booked. There are three hiking trails on the estate and visitors can choose between a guided or self-guided walk.
Hamilton Russell Vineyards is recognised for planting the first vines in the Hemelen- Aarde Valley, in 1975. The famed estate specialises in producing two
La Vierge specialises in producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their grapes grown in Hemel-en- Aarde Ridge. The range also includes a Bordeaux blend, Sangiovese, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. The La Vierge Restaurant and Champagne Veranda offers breath-taking views – ideal for a romantic sundowner and a game of boule.
