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WINE Tourism
is alive and kicking, and long
gone are the days of visiting
wine farms only to taste and buy
wine. Wine tourists are looking
for new and exciting things to
do in the Winelands, with an
emphasis on good service.
Therefore it is always with a
smile on our faces that we haul
out our extensive list of things
to do in and around
Stellenbosch. Bird watching,
carriage rides, horse riding,
quad biking, hiking trails and
game drives are all part of the
Stellenbosch offering.
Click
HERE for more information. |
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WITH all these activities in mind, I would
like to tell you more about a recent
addition to our to-do list, Bikes ‘n Wines.
As the name suggests, the cycling wine tours
company is offering the young-at-heart a
novel and adventurous alternative way to
explore the beautiful winelands.
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The
full day tour consists of an hour’s train
ride to Lynedoch from Cape Town station,
where tourists, led by one of Bikes ‘n
Wines’ experienced and friendly guides, hop
out of the carriage and straight onto one of
21 brand new bicycles stored at the Lynedoch
Eco Village. From there it’s a short cycle
to tastings and unique pairings at wine
farms such as Spier, Stellenbosch Hills,
Skilpadvlei and Welmoed, with relationships
having being built with many other wineries
in the area allowing for specialised tours.
Besides the fantastic tastings on offer, the
day includes swimming, a wholesome lunch,
and heaps of fun! |
Through the use of slow tourism, Bikes ‘n
Wines allows tourists, both local and
foreign, the opportunity to really take in
the sights, sounds, and smells of the
magnificent surrounds of the Stellenbosch
wine region. However, besides aiming to
develop and popularise cycling through the
winelands, Bikes ‘n Wines also aims to build
meaningful, lasting relationships with the
Wine Routes’ members, and Western Cape
tourism communities. The company has
nurtured a unique relationship with the
Lynedoch Eco Village and school, employing
youths from the community and donating R10
from every ticket sold towards the school’s
Child Leadership Program. For more
information on the company and its tours,
visit
www.bikesnwines.vox.com. |
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DON a festive attitude
and head for the Helderberg Winelands when
Eikendal pays homage to the fruit of the
vine with a vibrant Weintaufe Harvest
Celebration, attracting a buzzing crowd of
fun-loving families and friends on Sunday,
13 April 2008.
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What
started out as an intimate
ceremonial blessing by this
prominent cellar to signify
the end of the harvest, has
evolved into an annual,
not-to-be-missed Winelands
attraction with a host of
activities in a laid-back
setting on the water’s edge
amidst the vineyards.
It is as
much your ticket to great
food, live entertainment and
warm hospitality as your
passport to an up-close
encounter with prized wine
in the making. Visitors get
to taste Eikendal’s first
wine release for 2008,
straight from the barrel,
after the baptism of this
cellar newcomer as part of
the festivities. Cape Talk
radio host John Maytham will
do the honours as
“Godfather” and give the new
wine its name.
Young and
old are guaranteed a good
time with a live band
performance by Stellenbosch
blues sensation, Delta Blue,
adding rhythm and soul to a
relaxed vibe. Bring your
blanket and claim your spot
for the perfect ending to
your weekend with food
stalls, a fully licensed bar
and coffee lounge, vineyard
tractor rides, fly fishing,
a petting zoo, pony rides
and loads of other kiddies
entertainment to set a merry
mood. |
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Why not swap your
Sunday roast for a sumptuous
Mediterranean-inspired indulgence
from the farm’s resident restaurant,
Harald’s, and share a
wholesome platter brimming with
delicious bites. Each platter is
enough for two and costs R190,
including a bottle of Eikendal wine.
You can also book a gourmet picnic
basket for the day. Pre-bookings are
essential!
A family-friendly
Fun Run will wake a mellow crowd to
their feet when fun-lovers of all
ages line up for a quirky 1 or 2km
race through the picturesque
Eikendal vineyards in aid of the
Anna Foundation. The run starts at
15:00 and costs R10 per person.
No need to check
the fitness levels as there will be
loads of fun, watering holes and an
en route wine stop to boost the
spirits along the way, with lollipop
‘medals’ for everyone crossing the
finish line.
Entrance to the
Eikendal Harvest Celebration costs
R60 per adult and includes a
complimentary glass and wine.
Tickets for guests between the ages
of 12 and 18 years cost R10 each
whilst children younger than 12
years get in for free. Tickets will
be available at the gates on the day
of the event.
The event starts
at 11:00 with the official baptism
and tasting of the new Eikendal wine
at 12:00. For more
information and platter orders
contact Eikendal at Tel: 021 855
1422 or send an email to
info@eikendal.co.za |
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ZORGVLIET Wines will
once again be
responsible for a
whole lot of fun and
excitement for all
those “wanna-be”
winemakers. On 12
and 19 April,
Zorgvliet is having
its annual Oes-Af
Fees (end of harvest
festival).
The day kicks off at
12:00 with a
briefing to
festival-goers on
the proceedings in
the estate’s picnic
area, and activities
include cutting
grapes in the
vineyards,
transporting grapes
to the cellar,
sorting of the
grapes, stomping
grapes in the bins,
and adding yeast. It
will take three
weeks for the
fermentation process
to be completed, and
up to a year for the
festival wine to
mature. As a
memento, and to brag
to your friends that
you made your own
wine, Zorgvliet will
send you two
specially-labelled
bottles of your
wine. Each visitor
will also receive a
cap, and a pair of
harvesting shears.
The day is finished
off with a braai
dinner at the picnic
area. Costs are R350
per person, R75 for
children between the
ages of 5 and 12,
and free for
children younger
than 5. T o book your space
for this unique winelands
experience, visit
www.zorgvlietwines.com/news-freedom-elegance-in-wine.php
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THERE is a widely used saying that
you can choose your friends, but not
your family. The popular Bottelary
Hills Family Day seems to suggest
that all wine drinkers form part of
one big, happy family.
The two-day festivities are taking
place on 19 & 20 April at Hartenberg
Estate, on the Bottelary Road.
Participating farms include
Beyerskloof, Bellevue, Fort Simon,
Goede Hoop, Groenland, Hartenberg,
Kaapzicht, Monterosso, Mooiplaas,
Mostertsdrift, Mulderbosch, Sterhuis
and Villiera. Activities include
picnics, deli products, a snoek
braai, live music, wine tastings,
and entertainment for the kids.
Entry is R40 per person, and kids
under the age of 15 get in for free.
For more information, call Heleen on
021 865 2541, or e-mail
heleen@hartenbergestate.com. |
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IF you have been touring the
Stellenbosch Winelands lately, here is
your chance to vote for your best wines,
cellars and restaurants. It is time for
WINE magazine’s fifth annual reader
poll, and there is a case of Saxenburg
Private Collection Shiraz 2004 to be
won. Stellenbosch is still way in front
as readers’ favourite local wine region
(50% in 2007, and 47% in 2006), with
Vergelegen as best winery since the poll
was started in 2004. Other Stellenbosch
farms that received a good punt were
Rustenberg, Kanonkop, Kanu and Jordan.
The poll closes on Friday 11 April 2008,
and the results will be published in the
June issue. Click
HERE to complete the poll. |
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THIS month I would like to welcome a
new member to the Stellenbosch Wine
Routes. The High Road is located at
Bosman’s crossing, next to
Stellekaya, Dalla Cia and Vilafonté.
As a tribute to a peaceful
transition that took place in South
Africa, Les Sweidan and Mike Church
decided to produce a range of
premium wines, that made their debut
in 2003.
The two friends have embraced “high
road” practises throughout their
careers, and share a healthy passion
for sport and good food. These
partners in wine enjoy their product
so much, they jokingly agreed that
they might only sell what they
cannot consume themselves!
The Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc and Merlot blends of The High
Road collection are produced from
grapes grown in Stellenbosch, and
developed into quality wines under
the auspices of Stellekaya’s wine
consultant and wine maker. Tastings
are by appointment only, Mondays to
Saturdays. For more information,
phone Tinus Gerrit van Zyl on 083
282 9585, or visit
www.thehighroad.co.za
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THE date for the annual Stellenbosch
Wine Festival has been set – 31 July to
3 August 2008. Annually this festival
plays host to thousands of local and
international visitors who come to chase
away the winter cold with a glass of
Stellenbosch’s best. Visitors will be
able to sample some 500 wines made by
the most jovial, professional and
fun-loving wine community in the world.
There are wines on offer to suit every
palate, as well as every pocket. Our
on-site wine boutique will be well
stocked with your favourite find of the
Festival! But the fun doesn’t stop
there...
See how Stellenbosch celebrities and
winemakers sweat it out in the kitchen!
Broaden your mind at our interesting,
informative and sometimes
tongue-in-cheek wine lectures in the
“WINE tasting theatre”, presented by
WINE magazine. There is of course
great local fare on offer, including
cheeses, olives and traditional, hearty
dishes.
Festival highlights also include
comparative varietal tastings, exclusive
meet-the-winemaker dinners, cabaret
productions by Amanda Strydom and
others, as well as fashion shows. Also
included is the first ever Wine
Connoisseurs Evening on Thursday 31
July, for the more serious wine lovers.
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The more sporty wine enthusiasts can
enter the Mountain Bike Challenge on
Saturday - lucky draws and big prizes up
for grabs!
The festival offers fun for the whole
family. Kids will be entertained at the
Festival Café on Sunday while you relax
and taste the finest Stellenbosch wines.
Tickets for the festival are available
at the door and from Computicket.
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Thursday 31 July, Wine Connoisseurs
Evening, 17:00 to 21:00, R250 includes
snacks and food vouchers.
Friday 1 August, 16:00 to 21:00, R100
Saturday 2 August, limited tickets
available, 12:00 to 18:00, R120
Sunday 3 August, Family Day, 11:00 –
16:00, R100
Golden Pass, valid for all 4 days, R350
Entrance fee includes a tasting glass,
with a R10 saving for American Express®
Card holders.
Break away and make a weekend of it!
Travel packages are available from all
major cities. Contact an American
Express® Travel Consultant for all
travel packages – including flights,
accommodation, and exclusive offers.
Phone 011 790 0009, or visit
www.americanexpresstravel.co.za for
details.
Breathe it, taste it, but most of
all ... live it! See you all there!
Annareth Jacobs
CEO Stellenbosch American Express®
Wine Routes
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