Winelands Wandering

WINELANDS WANDERING A guide to the Cape’s winelands

PAARL | FRANSCHHOEK |STELLENBOSCH Winelands Wondering • Festive Season 2019 • Hellojoburg.co.za

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WINELANDS WANDERING

EXPLORING TERROIRS A guide to the Cape’s winelands

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hen you look at the broad Cape region, there are countless wine farms and wine regions to choose from.

If you’re a wine lover like we are, you’d know very well that one day in the winelands is not nearly enough. In addition to the world-class wines on offer, you are also spoiled with magnificent scenery (with various different terroirs) and some of the best wining and dining experiences not only in South Africa, but in the world.

The Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch wine regions are some of the most well-known regions of the Cape, boasting hundreds of wine farms. Your most difficult decision when it comes to planning your winelands trip might just be choosing which wine farms to visit. Whether you’re looking for something elegant and modern or whether you’re looking to dig into history’s pages, you’ll find wine farms catering to all your dreams and demands.

PAARL

At the edge of the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve lies the small town, Paarl - its streets lined with oak trees and heritage buildings. Well-known wine farms like Nederburg, Avondale, Simonsvlei, Glen Carlou, Backsberg, Laborie and KWV call this home. Fairview, another one of the many wine farms in this region is also where you’ll get to experience the popular spice route – a sensory experience of note.

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Hello Joburg • Festive Season 2019 • Winelands Wondering

FRANSCHHOEK

The Stellenbosch wine region is divided into different wine routes including the Greater Simonsberg, Stellenbosch Berg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Hills and Bottelary Hills. The Greater Simonsberg route boasts wine farms like Quoin Rock, Muratie, Tokara, Simonsig, Kanonkop, Delheim and more. Taking the Stellenbosch Berg route will bring you to farms like Waterford, Lanzerac, Blaauwklippen and Kleine Zalze where the Helderberg is known for wineries like Rust en Vrede, Uva Mira, Ernie Els, Lourensford, Vergenoegd and more. Stellenbosch Hills boast farms like Spier and JC le Roux and a visit to the Bottelary Hills will allow you to experience wineries like Nietvoorbij, Beyerskloof, Koopmanskloof and more.

STELLENBOSCH

The Stellenbosch wine region is divided into different wine routes including the Greater Simonsberg, Stellenbosch Berg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Hills and Bottelary Hills. The Greater Simonsberg route boasts wine farms like Quoin Rock, Muratie, Tokara, Simonsig, Kanonkop, Delheim and more. Taking the Stellenbosch Berg route will bring you to farms like Waterford, Lanzerac, Blaauwklippen and Kleine Zalze where the Helderberg is known for wineries like Rust en Vrede, Uva Mira, Ernie Els, Lourensford, Vergenoegd and more. Stellenbosch Hills boast farms like Spier and JC le Roux and a visit to the Bottelary Hills will allow you to experience wineries like Nietvoorbij, Beyerskloof, Koopmanskloof and more.

Words Renate Engelbrecht Images Supplied

With numerous flights leaving both Joburg and Pretoria for Cape Town on a daily basis, a visit to the renowned Cape Winelands is all but farfetched.

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e Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, situated in the Cape Winelands, offers luxurious hotel accommodation and a truly unique winelands hotel experience. This luxury Hotel features 79 en-suite, elegantly finished rooms and suites, and two lavish villas. Each boasts breath-taking views over either the towering Franschhoek Mountains, or manicured gardens. Le Franschhoek Hotel is elegantly portrayed in their fine dining eatery. Offering diners an opportunity to indulge in a scrumptious à la Carte menu, this Franschhoek restaurant is complimented by warm service, and picturesque placement.

In addition, it is an ideal destination for a team building, corporate function or even a fairy tale wedding, boasting 5 world class conference venues, seating from 20 to 120 delegates.

Email: reservations@lefranschhoek.co.za • Tel: +27(21)876-8900 • www.lefranschhoek.co.za

WINELANDS WANDERING

CHANGES FOR THE

FRANSCHHOEK WINE TRAM New season, new era

Spring is the season for new beginnings and after four years in the village, Franschhoek Wine Tram will be moving to their new home on the corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street.

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purpose-built terminal that straddles the existing railway line will serve as a place where passengers can purchase tickets and enjoy a cup of coffee in a comfortable setting while waiting for their tour to depart. This move will have the added benefit of reducing parking congestion along Main Road as passengers will now be able to park in designated parking Lanseria spots alongside terminal.

In half ad the 2.pdf 1 2019/10/04 addition to that, the ticket kiosk current-

ly located in Huguenot Square will be moving to the tranquil grounds of the River Café, which is located on Main Road opposite the Franschhoek Tourism Bureau. From this location, a continual loop bus will ferry passengers to and from the terminal.

In an effort to bring more tourists to the village, Franschhoek Wine Tram has launched a two-and-a-half-hour village walking tour. This leisurely walking tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who will share interesting and historical facts about the village while visiting local points of interest which include an indulgent chocolate experience at Huguenot Fine Chocolates and a clay sculpture demonstration at Orgari.

Since launching the ‘Safe Driving Initiative’ in March of this year, which included the installation of 47 live feed cameras throughout the Franschhoek Wine Tram vehicle fleet at a cost of R250,000 Franschhoek Wine Tram proudly reported that no unsafe driving incidences have been reported by the public. This is a dramatic turnaround from the prior 6 months. Members of the public are encouraged to report any unsafe driving incidences to safety@winetram.co.za 13:49 1 www.winetram.co.za

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Hello Joburg • Festive Season 2019 • Winelands Wondering

Winelands Wondering • Festive Season 2019 • Hellojoburg.co.za

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WINELANDS WANDERING

QUOIN ROCK Epicureans lap up lavish attractions

Since its launch in November 2018, family-owned Quoin Rock Estate has introduced a new dimension of luxury to the Cape winelands.

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he farm’s phenomenal metamorphosis took place over six years after the Gaiduk family purchased it in 2012. Managing Director Denis Gaiduk explains: “My dad Vitaly Gaiduk is a wine enthusiast and as his collection grew, he decided to ‘paint his own painting’. He was looking to buy a wine farm in Italy but saw this amazing farm and fell in love with it. It took several years to improve the vineyards, with the aim being to create wine which would compete on the international market. Our Quoin Rock Shiraz 2015 is already a Top 12 Shiraz in South Africa and this is a beginning. We want to create something big, bold and powerful.”

Today, Quoin Rock offers a refined experience with designer architecture and furnishings, award-winning wine and superb molecular gastronomy at Gåte Restaurant. The beautiful Manor House maximises sweeping views of the Simonsberg which can also be enjoyed from the Gåte tasting lounge and terrace, and a newly built function venue overlooking the estate vineyards. The house epitomizes the opulent Quoin Rock lifestyle. In keeping with luxury villas popular for

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Hello Joburg • Festive Season 2019 • Winelands Wondering

multi-age family travel, it is an exclusive, tranquil haven with packages that range from bed and breakfast to full board for a minimum stay of two nights.

Denis’ wish is for guests to quieten and savour their excellent wines. What makes Quoin Rock so inimitable is the uniqueness of the terroir, the winemaking techniques and mountain views.

Quoin Rock Wine Estate: Knorhoek Road, Knorhoek Valley, Stellenbosch m 021 888 4750 k info@quoinrock.co.za or events@quoinrock.co.za 1 www.quoinrock.co.za

DRINK IN THE HOLIDAYS Our top 5 wines to try this festive season

We don’t know your story, but one of the things we lust after during the festive season is the wine. There’s always a myriad of delightful choices to sip with your magical family – these are our top 5 selected for their unique story, amazing taste, and exceptional quality and value.

FAIRVIEW VIOGNIER

While this Viognier (pronounced ‘vee-own-yay’) is known for its honey and stone fruit flavours and typical spring blossom floral aromas, it’s also surprisingly versatile. Bright and gold in colour, you’ll enjoy a rich, complex palate with layers of waxy honeycomb, apricots and orange followed by a charming creamy finish. If you love to brood over bolder whites like chardonnay, this is definitely something you’ll like to swirl! It works with a wide variety of seafood, roasted or grilled chicken, pork, spicy flavours and Asian cuisine. Our favourite dish to sip it with is a Malay curry with delicate spice and dried fruits.

R105 from www.fairview.co.za

ASARA PINOTAGE ROSÉ

There are so many reasons to love rosé wine: It’s budget-friendly, it’s the perfect brunch wine, it tastes good in your food, it pairs well with everything and you can literally drink it right this second (no need to hold this wine for a few years or ‘cellar’ it!). This one has tasting notes of ripe, vibrant strawberries and red berries, with candyfloss and melon on the nose. The best brunch news yet is that this particular rosé is possibly the best wine to drink with eggs – one of the few styles that shines with eggs. It also goes down well with a pizza after a long, stressful day.

R96 from www.bottleshop.co.za

Words Candice May Images Supplied

VILLIERA CHENIN BLANC 2018

This chenin blanc doesn’t have a reputation for being one of SA’s best value wines for nothing!

The best part is that no one would even guess that it’s budget wine as Villiera is synonymous with award-winning wines, from the Gold Wine Awards to the Gilbert and Gaillard International Challenge. It covers various price points, but the 2018 bottle is almost as fine as the vintages with intense notes of fruit and honey with a hint of wood spice on the nose. Pair it with oysters, grilled white fish and prawns, savoury canapés or creamy white cheeses.

R58 from www.bottleshop.co.za

GLENELLY LADY MAY 2013

Elegant and complex, fresh and vibrant, this is pedigree Stellenbosch cabernet sauvignon at its very best! The wine develops flavours of cassis, blackcurrant, dark cherry, touch of graphite and delicate spicy plum. It’s deeply coloured, perfectly balanced and displays an exquisite structure with velvety tannins and fantastic ageing capacity. The best part is that you never really know it – you just continuously rediscover it. We love drinking this cab sav when we’re eating foods like duck, brisket, pepper steak, mashed potatoes and lentils.

R520 from www.shop.glenellyestate.com

HEAVEN ON EARTH NATURAL SWEET WINE NV

This is actually an enjoyable dessert wine on its own but adds a real burst of flavour to pasta dishes too. Light gold in colour with a very fragrant nose that’s reminiscent of roses, apricots and pine trees on a hot windless day, this wine is light in the mouth and has delicate flavours of the roses and apricots held together by wisps of Rooibos, ending with pine nuts. It has a good acidity that prevents a cloying sweetness and allows a clean finish. Make pasta a heavenly meal by adding this wine to classic dishes like mushroom-based pasta, vegetable lasagne and spaghetti carbonara.

R780 from www.bottleshop.co.za

Winelands Wondering • Festive Season 2019 • Hellojoburg.co.za

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NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 Hello Joburg • Festive Season 2019 • Winelands Wondering