Category Archives: Worcester
Du Toitskloof Wines Celebrates The End Of The Harvest
Join Du Toitskloof Wines in celebrating the end of harvest and taste the first wines of the new vintage on Saturday, 11 May.
A new mountain-bike route will be opened on the same day with a special 5km family route for a gentle cycle or walk. The route meanders through the vineyards of the neighbouring member farms offering spectacular views of the Du Toitskloof Mountains. There are wine-tasting stops along the way. A tractor will continuously circle the route to pick-up anyone keen on getting back to the cellar in a hurry.
The day’s festivities include Sauvignon blanc on tap, spitbraai, food stalls, wine tasting, live music and entertainment for the kids.
Date: Saturday, 11 May
Time: 09.00 to sunset (the 5km family walk/cycle route will close at 15.00)
Cost: Entry is free
Venue: Du Toitskloof Wines, R101, Rawsonville
For more information contact Elzaan Geldenhuys on (023) 349 1601 or send an email to elzaan@dutoitskloof.co.za
WSET Introduces First Stand-Alone Spirits Courses In South Africa.
The International Wine Education Centre is delighted to announce the first ever stand-alone general spirits courses starting in Stellenbosch in May.
The UK-based Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) teaches internationally-recognised wine and spirit qualifications which are the industry-standard in 60 countries around the world. WSET has been educating people about wine and spirits since 1969 and more than 43,000 people, studying in 16 different languages sat a WSET exam in the last academic year alone.
The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits underpins the skills needed in all areas of the spirit trade – customer service, hospitality, retail and wholesale.
The course covers the history, production and style of spirits of the world: Cognac, Armagnac and other brandies; Scotch, Bourbon and other whiskeys; white spirits, including vodka, rum, Tequila, gin; and liqueurs and other flavoured spirits. Tasting is part of every session with around 40 local and international spirits tasted over the duration of the course.
The first course in South Africa will take place at Van Ryn’s Distillery in Stellenbosch and will be lectured by spirits aficionado Dave Hughes and artisan distiller Roger Jorgensen. The course will last 6 weeks with a multiple-choice exam at the end.
Who is it aimed at?
• People employed in the spirits industry needing information on the characteristics of the principal spirits and liqueurs of the world, to provide guidance on brand selection and assist with tasting and evaluating of spirits and liqueurs using the Systematic Approach to Tasting.
• People who are not employed in the drinks industry, but who have a serious interest in spirits and wish to broaden their knowledge in a fun, informative yet structured way.
• People studying for wine qualifications and who would like a structured spirits course to support those qualifications.
There are limited places available for this course, so for more information, please go to www.thewinecentre.co.za . For more information about future courses in Stellenbosch, Cape Town and elsewhere, please contact Cathy Marston on info@thewinecentre.co.za
Course details.
Course Code L2SWL0513
Location Van Ryn’s Distillery, Stellenbosch
Date & Time Wednesdays from 22 May – 26th June, 6.30pm- 8.30pm (6 weeks, 2 hours/week)
Exam Wednesday 3rd July, 6.30pm
Cost R4,990 per person
Includes All tuition, all course material, exam, tasting of at least 40 local and international spirits and a lapel pin & certificate for successful candidates.
Get Festive In The Nuy Valley in May with the annual Nuy Valley Harvest Feast
The Nuy Valley, situated halfway between Worcester and Robertson and renowned for its award-winning wine and olive products is celebrating its annual Nuy Valley Harvest Feast, sponsored by Worcester Wine and Olive Route, on 11-12 May 2013. Festivities will be hosted at four Nuy estates; Leipzig Country House, Nuy Winery, Willow Creek Olive Estate and Conradie Family Vineyards.
The Nuy Valley Feast promises a jam-packed programme filled with new surprises and old favourites.
Leipzig Country House
On Saturday Leipzig Country House kicks of at 08:30 with a 10km fun run or a 5km route starting at 09:00. Entries open at 07:30.
Come cook up a storm with Gourmet Princess and Masterchef SA participant, Ilse Fourie, while she does two demonstrations at 10:30 and 12:30.
The band C2C will entertain guests with live music from 11:00-15:00 in a Bedouin tent while they are enjoying wines from the valley, Birkenhead beer and country food with a German flair. Spoil Mom on Mother Day (Sunday) from 12:00 with a lazy Sunday lunch.
Nuy Winery
Nuy Winery will be entertaining young and old on Saturday 11 May. Enjoy local cuisine at Kobus se Gat and Piroschka’s Kitchen paired with Nuy wines and Oloff Bergh brandy. The kiddies corner will be equipped with a Rodeo Bull, jumping castles, water worm, face painting and loads of other fun activities.
Nuy left the best for last; Romanz, the South African vocal quartet, will entertain the crowed at 19:00 on Saturday evening. Tickets are available at R120 per person at (023) 347 0272 or admin@nuywinery.co.za
Willow Creek Olive Estate
Willow Creek Olive Estate and Computer Mania are presenting the well-known mountain bike challenge on Saturday at 08:30, for more info and entry forms contact Francois at 0824138935 / francois@maniccycles-cw.co.za or Ronnie 0832288580 ronnie@computermania.co.za.
Food, fun and entertainment are the keywords at this estate.
Discover hidden talents with the olive pip spit competition and let olive fundi, Louise Rabie, open the door to the world of olive oil with a presentation on the liquid gold. Olive products, wines of the Valley, including De Wet Cellar, and other delicatessens can be tasted and bought at the Willow Creek Deli and Pure Boland Farmers Market.
Farm for a day: Harvest your own olives and be guided on how to cure them, while the children are entertained in the kiddies corner.
Willow Creek ends of their festivities on Sunday evening at 18:00 with a sunset concert by SAMA winners, instrumental group, Sterling EQ and tickets are available at R120 per person. To book contact 082 096 3789 or info@willowcreek.co.za
Conradie Family Vineyards
Enjoy bottomless wines at R50 per person at Conradie Family Vineyards while watching big screen rugby. Also on the menu are live performances by band, Small Room Sunday while dining on traditional country food. The little ones will be entertained with wall-climbing, mini golf, four wheel motorbike rides and face painting.
Enjoy nature, hike through the picturesque Nuy Valley vinyards. Camp facilities are available at R80 per person per night, for more info contact +27 23 342 7025 or wine@conradievineyards.co.za.
Entry fee is R40 per person, per day (excluding Romanz and Sterling EQ performances) and kids under 18 years enter for free. Wine glasses (optional) are for sale at R20 per glass, and both tickets and glasses can be purchased at all four estates before and during the event. Cyclists’ entry fees include entrance to the festival.
For more information please visit www.nuyvalleyfeast.co.za or phone Anne-Marie Redelinghuys at 084 585 5557 or e-mail at info@nuyvalleyfeast.co.za
Badsberg Red Jerepigo To Warm Up The Winter Blues
Badsberg Wine Cellar is situated at the foot of the Badsberg Mountain in the picturesque Rawsonville, a mere 80km from Cape Town and 20km from Worcester.
Badsberg Red Jerepigo 2011
Badsberg Red Jerepigo 2011 mainly consists of Pinotage. It has a deep red colour, a nose of cherry and tomato jam and full round palate rich in berry, jam and plum flavours. This wine has excellent maturing potential of 10 or more years but can be enjoyed immediately. At R48.00 a bottle it is a bargain and the perfect remedy for the cold winter nights ahead.
Winning streak
Badsberg Red Jerepigo 2011 is a favourite amongst wine judges and has won many awards over the passed couple of years. Awards include Veritas gold and Michelangelo silver in 2012 as well as a 4-star Platter and Best Value Award in 2013.
Back to our roots
Badsberg’s dedicated team of wine makers, cellar members and viticulturists have been committed in creating quality wines since 1951. This dedication, coupled with a state of the art cellar have equipped Badsberg cellar master, Willie Burger and his team to produce a variety of national and international award winning wines.
“The success of our Jerepigo started in 2000 when we won the SA Champion Red Jerepigo non-Muscat at the SA Young Wine Awards, an accomplishment on which we can proudly build,” says Burger.
Wine Tastings
Come enjoy Badsberg Wine Cellar’s warm, hearty Boland hospitality. Visitors are invited to their tasting room to enjoy a wide range of award winning white, red and sparkling wines, as well as their heavenly fortified wines.
Time
Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00
Closed on Sundays, public holidays and Easter weekend.
For more information, contact Marli Geldenhuys at 023 344 3021, enquiries@badsberg.co.za or visit their website on www.badsberg.co.za
Rich Du Toitskloof Red For Autumn
When the air turns crisp and the leaves brown, most of us yearn for a fuller bodied red wine. Try the newly released 2012 Du Toitskloof Merlot which will make Autumn seem not quite so dreary.
The wine is aged for 10 months in French oak resulting in a light smokiness that complements the ripe mulberry and mint flavours and hint of chocolate on the aftertaste. Enjoy this rich wine with mushroom risotto, roast beef, steak or smoked fish.
The wine is available from leading supermarkets and wine shops and retails for around R40
per bottle.
Share A Top 10 Wine With Mom This Mother’s Day
You don’t always have to create a show-stopper event to make mom feel appreciated. Sometimes all a mother wants is to spend time with you so this Mother’s Day invite her over for a glass of the 2012 Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that was named one of the 2012 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 wines, and enjoy one another’s company!
The 2012 Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc is a firm favourite with many wine lovers also because of the exceptional value it offers. It competed against almost 200 wines for a place among the Top 10. Many of these wines, produced in highly rated areas such as Darling, Stellenbosch, Elgin and Durbanville, sell for three to four times more than the Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc, which just confirms again there is no direct correlation between quality and price.
Prepare a light lunch of sushi and crab cakes, grilled asparagus and spinach and goat’s cheese salad to enjoy with this juicy, crisp wine bursting with tropical fruit, green pepper and gooseberry flavours.
The 2012 Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc is available from leading liquor outlets for about R32 per bottle.
Valentine’s Day With A Twist At Opstal Estate
With Valentine’s Day around the corner why not treat your loved one with an unusual day to remember. Celebrate this age old tradition at Opstal Estate, situated in the picture perfect Slanghoek Wine Valley, less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, with their ‘Picnic in the Vineyard’ on Thursday, 14 February (6pm).
On arrival you’ll be greeted with refreshing Virgin Sparkle, served in a bottle with a Caprese canapé resting on top. Guests will be invited to partake in old school grape stomping with the love of their life and then sample your own ‘crushed’ Love Juice.
Having worked up a hefty appetite make your way back to the restaurant to enjoy a feast fit for kings and queens. This includes homemade bread, cheeses, salmon pâté, cold beef fillet, chicken terrine, figs and sublime summer salads. For dessert tuck into delectably sweet chocolate brownies, Turkish delight and nougat.
End off the perfect evening with freshly brewed coffee and homemade cupcakes.
Booking is essential and costs R150 per person. Contact 023 344 3001 or restaurant@opstal.co.za for more information or to secure your table.
South Africa’s 2013 Wine Tourism Handbook: Enjoying Wine at the Source
The eighth edition of the popular Wine Tourism Handbook is now available for sale both in bookshops and online. This image-rich, full-colour, comprehensive guide to the farms, restaurants, accommodation venues and activities found in South Africa’s Winelands is one of Wine Tourism South Africa’s (WTSA) most prestigious products. It works in tandem with WTSA’s other exciting social media and online platforms and campaigns to drive interest in the varied wine tourism offerings of the country.
The 2013 edition boasts several key refinements to previous editions but retains its unique core by offering a comprehensive list of farms, complete with opening hours, contact details and easy-to-read maps as well as a number of carefully selected destinations for dining, staying and playing!
This year, the Gourmand Award-winning publication offers independent reviews of Winelands restaurants ranging from delis to five-star establishments as well as route-by-route reviews of boutique wineries (those that make less than 5 000 cases of wine a year) and it showcases the winners of the popular Klink Awards – launched by Wine Tourism South Africa in 2012. More information can be found on the Klink Awards – the first consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism competition in the country – on www.winetourismsouthafrica.co.za. In addition, wine route information has been updated with editorial reflecting the inherent character of each route and photographs capturing the scenic beauty of each region. 
As wine tourism is about the entire experience – wine, food, people, activity and place – detailed listings are offered for the best places to eat, stay and play – whether that is casual cafés or fine dining, rustic cottages or five star hotels, a wine picnic on the river or helicopter flip over the vineyards. The Handbook is an indispensible companion to anyone looking to have a fun, meaningful and in-depth experience when visiting the country’s wine regions.
The publisher, Monika Elias, notes, “Wine tourism is a global phenomenon and it is a growing market, but we are fast getting the impression that here in South Africa, we do it rather well, perhaps better than most. Our handbook is a reflection of this burgeoning market”.
The Wine Tourism Handbook is #notjustwine, it is the complete Winelands experience in one colourful and beautifully-produced guide and at just R99.00 it offers tremendous value for money! The 288-page 2013 Wine Tourism Handbook can be ordered online or downloaded from www.winetourismsouthafrica.co.za and is available in all good bookstores.
For more information about Wine Tourism South Africa, the Wine Tourism Handbook and the Klink Awards, visit www.winetourismsouthafrica.co.za.
Slanghoek Summer Splash
Saturday, 8 December 2012 from 11H00 – 18H00
Summer is in full swing and what better way to celebrate it that to join your friends and family for a day out at Slanghoek Mountain Resort in the heart of the picture perfect Slanghoek Valley. Along with Slanghoek Cellar, Opstal Estate and Jason’s Hill Private Cellar, the valley brings you their inaugural “Slanghoek Summer Splash” on Saturday 8 December 2012 (11am to 6pm).
Pack up your picnic blanket, put on some sunblock, don your sun hat and head off along the N1 to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and join us for a day of wine tasting, food and wine pairings, and live entertainment.
Whilst mom and dad are relaxing with a glass of wine and delicious offerings which will be on sale from our deli stalls, the children will be kept busy on the beautiful 18-hole putt-putt course situated on a fynbos hill, horserides, jumping castle and jungle gym. Some of the activities to look forward to include:
· Conservation Project site visit
Jump on the truck and join project coordinator Garth Mortimer from Landcare SA, for a visit to the foot of the Slanghoek Mountains, where the very unique Slanghoek alluvium is being conserved and restored.
· Themed Wine Tastings
The winemakers from Slanghoek Cellar, Jason’s Hill and Opstal Estate will be presenting themed tastings. Not to be missed.
· Owl show/exhibition
This one is especially for the kids…! Our owl expert will present a fun and highly informative exhibition on this beautiful bird species.
These activities will take place at allocated times during the day, with a full programme available upon entry.
Entrance is R100 per person and includes a tasting glass, tasting vouchers and goodie bag. Children under 18 pay R40 and will also receive a goodie bag.
Tickets will be available from 1 October 2012 at www.webtickets.co.za. For further information visit www.slanghoekvalley.co.za.
Du Toitskloof Wines Turns 50
Du Toitskloof Wines, one of the first cooperative cellars in the Breede River Valley to start bottling wine under its own name, turns 50 this year and celebrated with a gala event at the cellar over the weekend (September 15).
The Du Toitskloof brand has become a household name for excellent quality at an affordable price, particularly over the past decade. Since the inception of the Best Value Awards in 2001, Du Toitskloof Wines has won the Best Value Cellar award in RamsayMedia’s annual Best Value Wine Guide competition five times, most recently in 2012. No other winery has won the award more than once.
Its wines continue to distinguish themselves at both local and international wine shows. At the end of last week (13 September) it was announced that Du Toitskloof’s signature wine, the 2012 Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc, was one of the winners of the 2012 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top Ten Competition. The wine, made in a blend of 2,2 million litres, shares this distinction with limited-edition wines selling for three to four times more.
A day later (14 September) it was announced that Du Toitskloof Wines has scooped one double gold, three gold and three silver medals at the 2012 Michelangelo International Wine Awards. The double gold was awarded to its 2010 Dimension, a blend of five red cultivars.
Johan de Wet, Du Toitskloof chairman since 1999, said this achievement again confirmed the cellar’s basic philosophy of providing exceptional quality at affordable prices. “The cellar this year processed more than 16 000 tons of grapes, the most ever. This means consumers can share in the benefits of scale we achieve.”
Duimpie Bayly, a legendary figure in the South African wine industry and present chairman of the Veritas wine competition, said Du Toitskloof had been known from its earliest years as one of the technically most progressive cooperative cellars in the Breede River Valley. “This has greatly contributed to its ability to produce wines of a consistently high quality.”
Although the accent in the early years – and for long thereafter – was selling wines in bulk, the cellar bottled small quantities of its wine under its own label almost from the outset. However, it was only after the control structures governing the local industry were finally dismantled at the end of the ‘nineties that Du Toitskloof Wines moved forcefully into the retail market with its own brands. Today about 30% of total production is sold bottled, and is available in local shops and restaurants.
In 2005 Du Toitskloof Wines started as a joint venture what is today one of the world’s biggest Fairtrade projects. It presently operates three day-care centres providing care for 170 toddlers from member farms. It also to a large extent funds a primary school with a library and computer centre which provides tuition to about 100 learners, 90% of them from member farms, as well as an after-care centre. All member farms are Fairtrade accredited.
Du Toitskloof Wines has been innovative not only in terms of winemaking, but also in terms of its sales and marketing. It has been experimenting with small plantings of lesser-known cultivars and achieved considerable success with Nebbiolo which it introduced to the Breedekloof. It created its own sales and distribution infrastructure and currently exports aggressively to countries in North and South America, to mainland Europe and Scandinavia as well as into Africa and the Far East.
Its innovative approach also extends to packaging. According to a recent report in the leading British wine publication Decanter two of Du Toitskloof’s Fairtrade wines became the first to be packaged in completely aseptic Tetra Pak cartons in the UK.
“The consistency in quality comes from the fact that all 22 member farms lie within a 10km radius from the cellar so they all share similar soil types and micro-climate,” De Wet said. “All these farms belong to 11 families, most of whose forebears counted among the founding members of the cellar so that there is a very strong sense of continuity and commitment to the cellar. One could almost go as far as to say that Du Toitskloof is managed like an enormous estate on which a number of families live together.”
New Perlé Wine From du Toitskloof Is Best Value Winner
Released just in time for summer the Du Toitskloof Cape Beach Club Blanc is the only wine to have received a best value award in the sparkling wine category of Ramsay Media’s 2013 Best Value Guide.
This delicious off-dry wine with its fruity nose and whiffs of pineapple, peach and apple, is the perfect summer sipper for picnics, sundowners and, matched with salads, light chicken dishes and tapas transforms any impromptu get-together.
The grapes were all harvested within a 5km radius from the cellar from vines growing in deep alluvial soils. The first grapes had a high acidity with flavours of grass and green pepper followed by the ensuing harvest’s aromas of gooseberry and tropical fruit blending to form the perfect balance. The final blend of Chenin Blanc and Muscat de Frontignan were injection with carbon dioxide to give the wine a refreshing, slight sparkle.
Du Toitskloof Wines, known for its quality wines offered at affordable prices, is situated at the entrance to the Du Toitskloof Pass with its spectacular mountain scenery. Eight of its other wines have also been listed in the guide and they include the 2011 Merlot, 2012 Hanepoort Jerepigo, 2012 Chardonnay, 2012 Chenin Blanc, 2011 Pinotage Merlot Ruby Cabernet, Sparkling Brut, 2011 Chardonnay Viognier and 2010 Dimension.
The Du Toitskloof Cape Beach Club Blanc is available nationally and is expected to retail for about R26 per bottle.
Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc A Top 10 Wine
The 2012 Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc has just been named one of the 2012 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 wines, a selection made from the 195 entries received from a variety of Sauvignon blanc producing areas such as Darling, Stellenbosch, Elgin and Durbanville. Judges praised the wine for its “overtly fruity – lime through tropical fruit – on the nose and palate, plump and juicy, bright acidity.”
A delighted chief wine maker Shawn Thomson said it’s a humbling experience for him that his Sauvignon blanc, a top seller and firm favourite with many wine enthusiasts, could rub shoulders with some of the best in the country.
“We have always aimed to produce exceptional wines at affordable prices taking great care not to compromise on quality due to the large volumes we produce of each wine. Our cellar has been built on the premise that quality wines need not cost the earth, and consistent quality and freshness have been top priorities. We want consumers to have the peace of mind that no matter the bottling date, the wine they enjoyed a few months back is exactly the same wine they are drinking today.
“Over the past few years we have invested quite substantially in new cellar equipment to ensure our production, fermentation and cooling systems will help us achieve exactly that. And I believe that this investment has made all the difference in the wine being noticed at a competition of this magnitude.”
The other Top 10 winners include the 2011 Clos Malverne, 2012 De Morgenzon DMZ, 2011 Diemersdal MM Louw, 2012 Driehoek, 2012 Groote Post, 2011 Lomond Pincushion, 2012 Neethlingshof Single Vineyard, 2012 Simonsig Sunbird and 2012 Virgin Earth Pepper Tree.
The grapes for the 2012 Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc yielded from the start of the harvest a high acidity with flavours of grass and green pepper whereas those harvested later in the season carried aromas of gooseberry and tropical fruit. The final blend results in a complex range of flavours with a beautiful balance and lingering, crisp finish.
The wine is available from leading liquor outlets for about R32 per bottle.
