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Winederous 30 Mei, 2013
EDITORIAL COMMENT A winter of festivals and fun in the Winelands After a wonderful month of May, with gloriously sunny and windfree days, it appears that winter has fi nally settled in. But the cold wet weather brings its own pleasures in the form of cosy fires, comfort food and of course plenty of red wine. While nature is at rest and the vines are slowly shedding their bronze and ambercol oured blanket of leaves as they settle into their annual slumber, there is a feast of celebra tions and festivals on the menu this month to keep us all in good spirits. Take your pick from the Feast of the Helder berg at the NH Lord Charles Somerset Hotel, the Shiraz & Charcuterie Festival at Harten berg, Durbanville Wine Valley’s Sip Soup & Bread Festival, Wacky Wine Festival in Rob ertson Valley, Mushroom Week at Delheim or Cook Franschhoek – all the details are in the diary on page 3. On page 8 we tell you all about Hermanus FynArts, which promises to be a unique event that embraces all the arts, from music, litera ture and the visual arts to food and wine, combined with lively demonstrations and in teractive workshops. Several wineries on the Hermanus R320 Wine Route will be taking part in FynArts, as well as the countless fine dining establish ments and art galleries the town has become famous for. Another bonus for visitors to Her manus during the FynArts celebration is that this is the time of year when the whales start to arrive, turning it into the landbased whale watching capital of the world. There has nev er been a better reason to visit this popular
area. Next month sees the return of the Breede kloof Wine Valley’s Soetes & Soup Festival, a nottobemissed festival that is sure to warm body and soul. Last year’s event was an absolute joy, even as we trudged through the cold and rain from one venue to another. At every participating winery we were re ceived with Breedekloof’s particular brand of hearty hospitality and indulged in the re gion’s awardwinning wines paired with an interesting array of soups and other local spe cialities. If you can, do make a weekend of it as it is a big area to cover in one day and you will be more than tempted to stay overnight. Visit www.breedekloof.com for more infor mation.
hedda.mittner@hermanustimes.co.za
Winederous 30 Mei, 2013
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Diary June Saturday 1 June Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie at Hartenberg: Kick the cold weather to the curb by revel ling in some of South Africa’s finest Syrahs from leading cellars paired with an ar ray of meaty indul gencies at the an nual Feast of Shiraz & Charcu terie at Harten berg Wine Estate from 12 noon until 17:00. Carl Schultz, the celebrated winemaker at Hartenberg who is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s oldest and leading producers of Shiraz for almost 40 years, has invited a select group of winemakers to present their cellar gems on this festive occasion. They will be joined by some of the best local char cuterie masters, cheese makers and olive enthusi asts whose offerings will complement this hardy varietal. Tickets cost R180 per person, including a tast ing glass, and are available online at www.webtickets.co.za. For more information, call 084 207 3820 or send an email to info@dnaevents.co.za. Hartenberg is situated on the Bottelary Road off the R304 to Stellen bosch. Visit www.hartenbergestate.com.
Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 June Soup weekend at Durbanville Hills: Keep the winter chills at bay by joining Durban ville Hills Wines for a weekend of soup, wine and a sunset run in the vineyards. Tuck into a heartwarming selection of soups and breads for lunch with Durbanville Hills’ wines on sale throughout the afternoon. The Chase the Sunset trail which runs over 5 and 10 km will take place on the Saturday evening and is the perfect way to experience the rolling hills that make this wine region so spectacular. The sunset trail run starts at 17:00 with registra tion on the day from 16:00. The cost is R60 pp. The run meanders through the scenic vine yards that surround the cellar and this, coupled with a healthy dose of fresh air, will certainly let you work up an appetite to enjoy a warm
bowl of soup afterwards. A soup and bread buffet lunch is offered both Saturday and Sunday between 12 noon until 15:00 at a cost of R145 per person. Booking is essential. Contact Simone Brown at 021 558 1300 or send an email to info@dur banvillehills.co.za. Thursday 6 June Taste of the Hel derberg: The 5th annual Taste of the Helderberg show case promises a smorgasbord of exquisite food and wine from this prime wine making triangle stretching from Somerset West to Stellenbosch and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. For one night only, the NH Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West will be trans formed into a Helderberg wine and dine hotspot for enthusiasts to enjoy a sensory overload of more than 100 local wines and signature dishes from seven eminent restaurants jotted along the Helderberg Wine Route – all under one roof. The doors will be open from 17:00 to 21:00 and tickets cost R70 per person, which include an elegantly branded wine glass and access to the fruits of the Helderberg Winelands which will also be for sale at the show. During and after the wine tastings, guests can relax in cosy chill areas or make use of the hotel’s restaurant for dinner. Prebookings for the res taurant are recommended to avoid disappoint ment. Call 021 855 1040 to make a reservation. For more information and to reserve your tick ets contact Bjorn van Oort at bjorn@cvomarket ing.co.za or 021 981 0216. Tickets will also be available at the door. As part of the route’s commitment to responsi ble drinking and driving, the NH Lord Charles is offering an accommodation special on the evening: call the hotel directly on 021 855 1040 and quote reference: Taste of the Helderberg ac commodation. Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 June Wacky Wine Weekend: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Robertson Wine Valley’s biggest annual wine festival, the everpopular Wacky Wine Weekend sponsored by KykNET. This celebration takes place over four festive days, with 48 wineries showcasing their wines and a myriad of attractions and activities that include master winetastings, wine and food pairings, educational wine presentations and private tastings with the valley’s most esteemed winemakers. Other funfilled activities include ‘meetthe winemaker’ tastings, brandy tours and tastings, fun wine competitions, river cruises, tractor trips,
c heese and olive tastings, a mountain bike chal lenge, a fresh goods market and local perform ing artists. The Valley will also be presenting a gastronomic extravaganza, with oysters, sushi, riverside picnics and potjiekos just a few of the gourmet delights on offer. A passport is R100 per person for the whole weekend and can be purchased at the first port ofcall, ie at any of the participating wineries. The passport includes a tasting glass, free 25 ml winetasting samples, and a “goodie” bag. As part of the Robertson Wine Valley’s Zero Tolerance Policy towards drinking and driving visitors are requested to make use of the Buddy Bus for transport between the participating wine ries. There are also BusIn and FlyIn packages available that include flights, car rental and ac commodation. For the full programme of activities, visit the new website www.wackywineweekend.com. Many of the activities need to be prebooked di rectly with the respective wineries. Contact the Robertson Wine Valley on 023 626 3167 or email manager@robertsonwinevalley.com Friday 14 to Sunday 16 June Cook Franschhoek: Regarded as South Africa’s culinary capital, visi tors can once again look forward to the award winning Franschhoek Wine Valley’s annual Cook Franschhoek, consisting of interactive handson demonstration kitchens presented by some of the Valley’s highly acclaimed chefs and winemakers. The demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend, allowing guests the opportunity to not only interact with the chefs and winemakers but also master the art of intricate dishes. With the focus on exclusivity, each demonstration will range from 8 to 30 peo ple, and costs will differ by establishment. Booking is essential via www.webtick ets.co.za. For a detailed pro gramme visit www.cook franschhoek.co.za or contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices on 021 876 2861.
Monday 17 to Sunday 23 June Delheim Mushroom Week: While many fungi fans remain tight lipped about their favour ite hunting spot for the elusive shroom, Delheim Wine Estate lifts the lid on this secrecy with its popular Mushroom Week which kicks off with two exclusive foraging expeditions in its own for est on 17 & 18 June. Want to know a Boletus Edulis from a pine ring and discover the secret world of wild mush rooms? Avid aficionados can slip on their boots and baskets and join the Sperling family for an en chanting trudge through the forest in search of these rare seasonal delicacies under the guid ance of Nora SperlingThiel and Gary Gold man aka “The Mushroom Hunter” – a guru with a keen fungi sense and sharp eye who can spot a camouflaged porcini in no time.
After working up an appetite in the forest, for agers will head to Delheim’s Vat Cellar for an exquisite buffetstyle lunch indulgence featuring wild and exotic mushroom dishes, to be enjoyed with a selection of Delheim’s latest vintages and cellar gems. There are only a few spots available for the Delheim Wild Mushroom Forage and tickets cost R250 per person, which include a shortcourse in mushroom identification prior to the forest for age, as well as the languid cellar lunch (beverag es excluded). The hunt starts at 10:30 and prebookings are essential. For more information or to book, con tact Delheim at 021 888 4607; send an email to restaurant@delheim.com, or visit www. delheim.com. Those who miss out on the mush room foraging ex perience can still en joy an array of deli cious wild mushroom dishes at the familyfriendly Garden Restaurant throughout Delhe im’s popular Mush room Week until 23 June.
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Journey of discovery at
Spice Route LISE BEYERS Spice Route seems an intriguing name for a wine label. Until one realises that the very existence of the Cape Winelands can be traced back to the trading route to the East which necessitated a halfway station at the Cape for the ships to stock up on fresh supplies. But while those who centuries ago had a desire to explore exotic flavours and experiences would have had to wait for the traders to return with their precious goods, today you can set off on your own journey of discovery by visiting a destination that is within easy reach – Spice Route at the foothills of Paarl Mountain. The Spice Route range of wines, with exotic names such as Chakalaka and Malabar, has been produced for many years on a hidden Swartland farm belonging to Winelands entrepreneur Charles Back. And now this label has found a new home in the Paarl Winelands, adjacent to Back’s world-renowned wine estate Fairview. Back bought his neighbouring farm, Seidelberg, almost two years ago with a vision which has now developed this farm into a first in the entire Winelands. He first changed the name to Spice Route to be the centre for his Swartland wines. And then he set out and developed the historic homesteads and old sheds of the farm into an artisanal village. Spice Route has now become an experience that is unique to the wine and hospitality industry. Here you will find various artisans that showcase their produce and share
their knowledge with the public. The first stop is, of course, the rustic underground Spice Route Tasting Room. Spice Route is known for its robust, spicy red wines, which are guaranteed to enhance every occasion. The Chakalaka, which is a blend of red varietals – Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Tannat – represents a fusion of flavours, as does the unique, spicy South African relish from which Chakalaka takes its name. Malabar is the flagship of the Spice Route range, with a perfect balance of spicy fruit. Spice Route Pinotage is probably one of the best I have tasted – rich, full flavoured and bold. It is almost as if the flavours of the grapes coming from the Swartland are more accentuated in these wines. And the Mourvèdre is no exception, with ripe flavours of pepper and juicy fruit, yet almost delicate on the palate. And the Syrah simply takes your breath away. The whites also offer a pleasant surprise with Chenin blanc, Viognier and Sauvignon blanc being concentrated with richness and crisp fruit flavours. Next stop is a stroll to the close-by Red Hot Glass studio. Here David Jackson and Liz Lacey have been producing hand crafted glass products since 2002. At Red Hot Glass you can watch the fascinating process of molten glass being blown and formed into works of art. A multitude of hand-blown bowls, vases, perfume bottles, platters and lights are available in a range of designs, sizes and colours. Adjacent to Red Hot Glass is the Spice Route Restaurant with
young German chef Marion Kumpf at the helm. Kumpf and her team offer guests a culinary journey, exploring the fusion between spice, food and wine. The restaurant interior sets a tranquil theme throughout, embracing the natural surrounds. Here culinary explorers can enjoy an array of dishes and discover the fusion of traditional South African cooking with the various influences of cooking cultures along the Spice Route, all the way from Europe to the East and the places that once formed the empire of the Dutch East India Company. Each dish is carefully crafted and prepared to complement the award-winning Spice Route wines. Marion has the rare knack of combining natural ingredients to awaken the flavours of any ordinary meal or beverage. She uses them in a way that enhances both the food and the spices in her dishes. Her love of all things spicy has now also inspired her to release her own range of Spice Route Deli products. The range consists of three spice grinders – Treasure Chest, Smoked Sea Salt and Sweet Berry Delight – as well as a selection of condiments – Waterblommetjie & Strawberry Jam, Beetroot Piccalilli, Waterblommetjie Pickle and Crunchy Cucumber Ribbons. The next stop is DV Artisan Chocolates which is housed in a magnificent Cape Dutch homestead. DV Chocolates has already become famous since the De Villiers family started the business from their home in Hermanus. They have now relocated to Spice Route where the chocolate is made. The De Villiers family is one of only
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Spice Route winemaker Charl du Plessis. a few “Bean to Bar” micro batch chocolatiers in the world. They source only the finest quality cacao beans, and roast the beans to develop their optimal flavor. Thereafter the cacao beans are slowly and meticulously grinded, refined and conched in custom-built equipment. DV chocolates contain no artificial colourings or flavourings – only pure cocoa products. The entire hand crafted process can be watched on site. And to wash the chocolates down after a tasting, it was off to the Wilderer’s Distillery & La Grapparia Restaurant, only a short walk away. Master Distiller, Helmut Wilderer is an internationally acclaimed Grappa and Eaux de vie distiller and his distillery just outside Paarl is a popular destination on the wine route. Now he has opened a micro distillery at Spice Route and a restaurant, offering delicious wood-fired pizzas, flammkuchen and tapas to enjoy with a glass of only the finest Grappa or Schnapps. Visitors can also view the distillation process and sample Marion has released her own range of unique condisome of the products. ments and spice grinders which are avaiable at the And just as you thought there can- restaurant. not be more on offer, it is off to the Cape Brewing Company (CBC). Here brew- of fine beers, you can watch the process of master Wolfgang Koedel, previously of Pilau- beermaking take place around you. And last but not least, is a stop at the adjanar Brewery in the Waterfront, painstakingly brews some of the best beers I have tasted – cent Barley & Biltong Emporium. Here a from a fresh and light pilsner right through glass CBC’s fine produce can be enjoyed, toto more robust weissbier. The beer is made gether with snack platters and an impressive in the traditional fashion and from only the biltong menu. And while sitting in an almost finest hops, malt and wheat – and mineral wa- Brauhaus atmosphere you can enjoy one of ter which is sourced from a Paarl Mountain the most beautiful view of the Winelands. So there you have it: One does not just visit spring. The tasting room is surrounded by the im- Spice Route – one goes on a delightful journey pressive brewery and as you taste the array of discovery.
The head chef of Spice Route Restaurant, Marion Kumpf.
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Winederous 30 Mei, 2013
Experience HEDDA MITTNER From 7 to 16 June Hermanus will be transformed by a ten-day celebration of the arts, offering a feast of musical performances, art exhibitions, high teas and soirees, food and wine events and a host of stimulating talks, demonstrations and workshops. Hermanus FynArts is something completely different – a fusion of an arts festival and a winter school. And there is no better place to host such a vibrant and innovative event than this ever-popular seaside town set against a mountain backdrop covered in spectacular fynbos. This bustling centre of the Overberg is known for its hospitality, breathtaking scenery, award-winning wines, fabulous restaurants and trend-setting art galleries. All these attractions will now be combined in one package, so come and experience Hermanus as you’ve never experienced it before!
) Music Listen to a full programme of concerts and recitals, of which some of the highlights are: Friday 7 June: Camerata Tinta Barocca (BELOW) and special guest Richard Cock present Bay Baroque. Saturday 8 June: Angelo Gobbato with a premiére of a kind: Songs my Mother Taught Me, a performance of Italian songs he hasn’t sung in public for nearly 60 years. Sunday 9 June: Richard Cock and a choir of 80 bring the ever popular Songs of Praise to Fynarts. Monday 10 June : Pianist Sulayman Human
Hermanus FynArts
performs at a soiree in a private home. Tuesday 11 June: Charl du Plessis Trio in Cross Over Jazz. Friday 14 June: Celebrated soprano Zanne Stapelberg and Kathleen Tagg (BELOW LEFT), in the exuberant Soul of Fire. Saturday 15 June: Vivace, classical guitar duo, perform at a soiree followed by an Evening with Francois du Toit and Jose Dias. Sunday 16: The Cape Philharmonic Youth and Wind Orchestra will put on a special day to mark Youth Day: Music is Fun and Instrument Petting Zoo in the morning and a concert in the afternoon.
) Art Look at special exhibitions in nine galleries in town and on eight wine farms along the Hermanus Wine Route: Dylan Lewis sculptures on the lawn in front of The Marine Hotel; Guy du Toit’s Talking Hares around the lake at Sumaridge Wine Estate; Nikki Swanepoel’s Nguni Heads and a bronze sheep by Wilma Cruise at Lemm’s Corner in the town. Wander along the Art Amble to galleries exhibiting works of more than 30 artists. Ardmore ceramics (ABOVE) and smaller pieces by Lewis will be indoors at The Marine while the historic Windsor Hotel will host an exhibition of ten top Cape ceramicists. Make sure you pay a visit to the historic de-commissioned synagogue for an exhibition of the work of invited artists. This is a first for Hermanus – never before has this beautiful building hosted an exhibition or been opened to the general public. Another first for FynArts is Space and Spaces, a special Tondo exhibition of the works of twenty finalists in a competition sponsored by the SA National Space Agency. The tondos, 50 cm in diameter, will be displayed on the oak barrelheads in the Bouchard Finlayson wine cellar. ) Films When last did you watch one of the great SA classics – Katrina, Lord
Oom Piet, Die Kandidaat, Hoor my Lied? Or a Hollywood great in a vintage “bioscope” complete with red velvet upholstery? Choose from a large selection of vintage films such as How to Steal a Million, Citizen Kane and Lili and queue up for daily showings.
) Talks Listen to conversations that include Richard Cock, Christopher Hope, Marilyn Martin (ABOVE), Rodney Trudgeon, Strijdom van der Merwe, Jenny Morris (aka the Giggling Gourmet - BELOW), Dylan Lewis, Trix Pienaar, Wilma Snyman, Sandra Kotze and many more. Browse books at a Book Fair or over a glass of wine with a well-known author. Highlights include author Christopher Hope in conversation with award-winning sculptor Dylan Lewis at The Marine Hotel about giving expression on Saturday 8 June at 15:00, while Fee Halstead will talk to Louis van Heerden on the success story that is Ardmore on Sunday 9 June at 13:30. Tea and scones included. ) Workshops Learn new skills by joining any of the interactive workshops and demonstrations offered by top ceramicists, painters, photographers, writers, chefs and even a chocolatier. These include Petros Gumbi of Ardmore Ceramics, Christopher Hope (author), Dave de Beer (photographer), the Kilzers, Peter Tempelhoff (RIGHT) and Jenny Morris (chefs), Anli van Vuuren (chocolatier) and Richard Smith (painter). ) Wine & Food Taste wine by itself or paired with a taster menu, blend your own wine, experience the subtleties of pairing wine and food or sign up for a pairing of MCC and canapés with Allan Mullins. Take a virtual tour of South African wines or enjoy a fabulous 3-course tasting menu of Cape Cuisine paired with 6 wines each weekday at 12 noon and 18:00 at Wine Village, presented by Paul du Toit.
Loosen up and relax with High Tea each afternoon, enjoy social suppers or indulge in gourmet dinners. You needn’t even drive – the FynArts Hermanus Wine Route Shuttle will take you to exhibitions, tastings and other events on the eight participating wine farms. ) Fynbos Join the full-day course at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and learn all about the Cape Floral Kingdom, view the botanical art of award-winning artist Margaret de Villiers, and enjoy the guided fynbos walks and rambling trails. ) Children Bring the whole family; there is plenty of fun for children too with crafts, cartooning and a fun competition at the SA National Space Agency based in Hermanus. Accommodation options to suit all pockets and preferences are available from Hermanus Tourism.
) Come for a day, come for the weekend or stay for the whole 10 days and be part of this not-to-be-missed celebration! Hermanus FynArts is presented by Hermanus Tourism (Tel: 028 312 2629). Bookings can be done at webtickets and the Hermanus Tourism office, unless stated otherwise on the website. For full programme details and special packages, visit www.hermanusfynarts.co.za.
A 10-day celebration of Fine Visual Arts, Music, Literature, Wine and Food from
7 - 16 June 2013. HerMAnus … your Fine Arts Destination!
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