Site visit & Review of wine estate

As we move into the age of being more conscious about the decisions we make toward ourselves and our environment, caring about where our food comes from and realizing that our resources are finite, it is necessary, if not vital to talk about and showcase the wines and ethos of Waterkloof. Meeting some of their key role-players; Nadia Barnard- Cellar Master, Claudia Young-Kelly- Head of Marketing and Meagan- an ambassador for Waterkloof, they shared with us the dream turned reality of owner Paul Boutinot. After many years of searching the world over, the hand-picked site was to be on the Schapenberg slopes of Somerset West; the amphitheatre of False Bay. It took Christian Loots, Farm Manager & Viticulturist and the dedicated team at Waterkloof approximately a decade to restore the true and real LIFE into their soils. In 2009 Waterkloof were certified with full Organic and Biodynamic status--which is not very easy to achieve. As Nadia mentions during our tour of the cellars, though some farms may use biodynamic or organic practices, these will usually be in conjunction with conventional farming methods, for example, using herbicides or pesticides. It really says something if you're 100% certified.

For me, one of the most important aspects I look for when it comes to learning about new wines or exploring what we have here in the Cape, is that the creators of a product sincerely believe in what they do. The team at Waterkloof believe that the wines, and more specifically each vintage should be a reflection of the terroir and all of the factors or Circumstance(s) that played a role in the wine produced in the end. Just as an example, it is also why their wines are usually only lightly oaked, so as to allow the natural elements (which they work really hard to conserve) to come through and speak for themselves.  Using balance-oriented methods of keeping their soils and vines alive and happy, what is showcased in the wines is a true Circle of Life. From the big, white Percheron horses loosening the  soils  in the vineyards to the jackal buzzards swooping and landing on the installed perches dotted around the farm, even the earthworms down below, each component of nature has a say in crafting this extraordinary end result. What we find are wines that are elegant and complex and yet, balanced and subtle when and where they need to be.

Some quick facts about Waterkloof: About 60 Hectares of their property is under vine and 80 Hectares are reserved for indigenous flora and fauna to flourish. The area is home to jackal, mountain leopard, mongooses, birds of prey and the ecosystem continues to grow. Their remarkable approach to farming and wine-making is a principle we can apply to life; go back to your soil (roots)  and focus on making sure that this is where you do your most important ground work (pun intended). The rest will all reflect in time. For more information, do visit their website http://www.waterkloofwines.co.za/ A special thank you to the team at Waterkloof for such a welcoming and informative experience!

Sunnies out, Fedora's on! The fourth annual Cabernet Franc Carnival was held this past Saturday on the Avontuur Wine Estate located along the R44. The rolling green lawns, view of Somerset West and the peaceful horses in their paddock made for the perfect sunny Saturday escape. The wine and stud farm played host to some of the Western Cape's finest producers of this elegant variety. Estates such as Rainbow's End, Warwick Wines, Knorhoek, David Finlayson and Raats Family wines were among some of the representatives on the day.  An interesting newcomer known as The Garajeest also debuted their first Cabernet Franc; the 2015 "Bruce" vintage. A young, eclectic winemaker, Callan Williams explained that a lot of the labeling and branding of her wines comes from a strong influence and love for music. She continues that the reason she decided to make wines is because of her Italian roots as well as her keen interest in the chemistry behind wine. This unconventional combination inspired her to create wines ultimately to bring friends and loved ones together, to enjoy and celebrate. What better way to do this than by doing as the Romans did? Wine, after all, tastes best shared in the company of good friends.  

​The day also helped to promote Cabernet Franc as a variety that can hold its own and brought forward all of its best qualities; showing that, just like in an Academy award-winning movie, the best supporting role (as we know, cab franc most often being used in Bordeaux-style blends) is just as important as the leading actor to help clinch the Oscar. Finesse and balance, elegance with a unique and undeniable presence, the Cabernet Franc grape has done well to promote those strong Bordeaux roots that are so reflective in many of the styles of wines from our own home-grown winemakers. I enjoyed a wood-fired pizza...soon followed by a Belgian waffle adorned with fresh strawberries and drizzled dark chocolate while contemplating Vrede en Lust's offerings on this wonderful Saturday afternoon. Soft music, toasting glasses and wine-stained lips were the order of the day. As a young wine-enthusiast, I asked Hermanuspietersfontein's Wine-maker and General Manager, Wilhelm Pienaar a couple of questions on what he thinks is most important when starting out and developing one's palate and trying out new wines. His response was good and clear: Know what you like. Don't be afraid to say that you do or don't like something. If you think something tastes like wet forest floor or your granny's socks, let 'em know. If you taste something specific or something that makes you feel nostalgic, say so. Everyone has a different frame of reference and so, we all make different connections with wine. Wilhelm is very much of the stance that they want their wines (their Swarstskaap taking the spotlight on the day) to be enjoyed by everyone. Wine isn't meant to be inaccessible and only for one type of consumer. He encourages people to believe in their palates and also to enjoy and discover all that the world of wine has to offer. How often do we taste certain elements in wine after the winemaker has mentioned them, or brought them to the fore? Awakening your own senses is the key to finding wines that you love. 

​Each event attendee was also given a ballot in which he or she decided which wines they enjoyed most. All wines of the day were rated out of ten; so ultimately the public could decide which wine they felt was best out of the day's premium offering. Three of the lucky participants would also go on to win a selection of wines for casting their vote! What more motivation did one need to join in? The day as a whole was a great success; mingling of sommeliers, wine bloggers, wine lover's and merchants alike, basking in the beauty of Avontuur's features, discussing the multi-faceted French grape in all its glory and reclining on a comfortable deckchair under the blue-turned-ruby-red skyline. An exhale moment of delight and peaceful relaxation.  Here's to the next one!