One of the many things we were looking forwarded to on our trip to Cape Town South Africa was to sample some of the South African wines we had heard so much about. On a professional level, I was curious as to whether the South African Wineries were using wooden or stainless steel barrels, large tanks or other processes. What I learned was both unexpected and exciting.

Our first winery visit was to Groot Constantia, the oldest winery in South Africa. It was established in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, then governor of the Cape. The farm changed hands many times until it was made famous by the Cloete family in the 1800’s. Their wines would be admired by many famous people, including Napoleon, Bismarck, King Louis Philippe of France, and Jane Austen. In 1885 Groot Constantia was purchased by the government of the cape. In 1993 ownership was taken by the Groot Constantia Trust. Today, it hosts two popular restaurants, a wine tasting room and is known for its production of high-quality red wines, including Shiraz, Merlot and blended red Gouverneurs Reserve.

20130516-113300.jpg
The Goot Constantia Manor House

20130516-113335.jpg
The walk to the Tasting Room

20130516-113407.jpg
Gail and our host in the Groot Constantia Tasting Room

Although pressed for time, we managed to taste several excellent wines and purchased a fine Chardonay.

The next day Gail, Michelle and I went on an “Wine Safari” organized by Wine Flies. We were picked up near our apartment by our guide, Lord G (the G man) and after several other stops to pick up other tour members were on our way to several wineries in the Stellenbosch and Paarl areas. We were all given hats to wear so we could tell our tour apart from the others.

20130516-153834.jpg
Lord G, Rick and the Wine Flies Van

Our first stop was Fairview Estate in Paarl. It is a family farm know for its excellent white wines and artisanal cheeses. The farm has been around since 1683, and was purchased by it’s current owners, the Back family, in 1937. The tasting room was modern and light. The wines and cheeses were presented paired together and were both excellent. They used large modern stainless steel tanks to make their wine and the sales room was wonderfully designed.

20130516-153509.jpg
Gail and Michelle in the Fairview Tasting Room

20130516-154119.jpg
Stainless Steel Tanks at the Fairview Estate

20130516-154259.jpg
One of the Sales Displays at Fairview Estates

Next we were off to Muratie, an estate that started in 1685. Here I received my first surprise. The wine tasting rooms are in the cement vats that used to be used to make wine. I thought that the use of cement for wine making was a recent innovation, but it turns out that the Romans were using cement vats for winemaking over 2000 years ago.

20130516-161612.jpg
A cement Tasting Room

Interestingly, Muratie’s cement vats use much of the same tri-clover and quick release stainless steel fittings that miwinbarrel uses on our stainless steel wine drums and tanks.

20130516-162119.jpg
Fittings and Access Cement Vat at Muratie

After Muratie we were off to lunch at Middelvlei Wine Estate for a lunch of Boerekosbordjie (plate of farmer’s food) consisting of home-made bobotie, freshly baked potbrood, Ben’s snoek pâtè, grape salad with a red wine vinaigrette, coffee, koeksisters. It was delicious, served outdoors, in a beautiful setting.

20130516-175934.jpg
Gail and Michelle relaxing after lunch

Then we were off to LovanE Boutique Wine Estate, one of the smallest wine estates in the Stellenbosch area. Although they only started producing wines in 2006, they have won several awards. As a boutique winery, they use only oak barrels, most of them from France.

20130516-181730.jpg
Oak Barrels at LovanE

20130516-181834.jpg
Some of LovanE’s awards

20130516-181958.jpg
Gail and Michelle in LovanE’s Tasting Room

Our final stop was Annandale a wine estate that is owned by Gerhard (Hempies) du Toit, a fifth generation South African Huguenot winemaker who traces his winemaking heritage back to the founding of South Africa. He also was a famous Springbok Rugby player. Although he purchased the estate in 1996, Annandale’s history goes back over 315 years. The farm and tasting room reflect both the history of the farm and its owner’s with antique wine making equipment and sports memorobilia.

20130516-183324.jpg
Old wine equipment at Annandale

20130516-183458.jpg
Sports Memorabilia

Annadale uses mostly french oak barrels, but unlike many wineries they keep their wine in barrels up to 92 months.

20130516-190151.jpg
The result was exceptionally rich and flavorful wines. The former Springbok’s estate has won nine awards world-wide including the Grand Prix d’Honneur award in 1993 at a wine expo in France. Annandale’s 2005 Merlot which had matured in French Oak for six years was served at Royal wedding in Monaco.

After a full day of wine tasting and learning about the long history of wine making in South Africa, with wine and cheese in hand, we got back in the Wine Flies Van and returned to our lodgings in Cape Town after a memorable day.

About The Author
Richard Rubin

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Blog, Latest News | No Comments »