> Go to gallery for festival pics!
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU START:
We have divided Wellington into 4 areas:
BLOUVLEI on the Perdeskoen providing a FRESH AND LOCAL MARKET overflowing with local slow, organic and fresh produce. Diemersfontein is also located in this area due to the geographical proximity.
GROENBERG is boasting two venues: Schalk Burger and Sons and Bontebok Ridge where the theme is WILD with game drives, Meerkat and Tall Horse wines, Springbok Burgers and wild boar - with a dash of the STORMERS team.
BOVLEI has something for everyone and here you can truly taste all the delights on Wellington's plate. On Monday, most of the wineries in the BOVLEI will be entertaining you at the Bain's Market at Kleinevalleij.
TOWN CENTRE is within walking distance from the Info Office and a short hop to DGB and Malan de Versailles.
FESTIVAL GOERS ARE URGED TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Wellington wines coming into their own
The Wellington Wine Route consists of 26 members comprising 3 producer cellars, well-known estates and smaller boutique wineries and; produce acclaimed and award-winning wines.
Welgedaan Welbedacht in Londen toe Schalk Burger & Sons hulle Decanter toekenning gaan ontvang het vir Welbedacht Hat Trick 2006 bekroon die Best Red Blend for South African Wines. Over 10,000 wines were entered. Only 2.8% achieved Trophy or Gold status. Doolhof Signatures 2007 Malbec claimed Gold.
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles: Douglas Green Chardonnay en Chenin Blanc 2008 loop weg met Goud
A first for Wellington - Dunstone is one of 41 of the 6000 wines tasted to achieve Platter 5 star status
VERITAS. Wellington Wine Route is exceedingly proud to be amongst the 2% of entries which have received Double Gold status at Veritas. Double Gold went to Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage 2007 and the BEE brand, Thokozani's Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier blend as well as Doolhof's Minotaur. Adama from Bosman Family Vineyards, another BEE brand, received Gold.Wamakers Bain's Way Pinotage 2008 and the Chardonnay 2007 from Wellington Cellar also received Gold. That Wellington wines are finally coming into their own – that is the truth. 'n Goue Oes by die jaarlikse Internasionale Michelangelo Wyntoekennings 2009 by die Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset-Wes. Wellington het haar kop hoog gehou en behang met medaljes huiswaarts gekeer. Wat hierdie prestasie baie betekenisvol maak, is dat van die 1500 wyne wat ingeskryf is daar net 52 was wat dubbelgoud status verwerf het. De Compagnie Potstill Vintage 10 Year – Gold, Doolhof Pinotage 2007 - Double Gold , Doolhof Malbec 2007 - Double Gold , Doolhof Minotaur, 2007 – Gold, Andreas 2007 - Double Gold for the second successive year, Linton Park Reserve Merlot 2005, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Gold , Douglas Green Chardonnay 2008 - Double Gold, Welbedacht Hat Trick 2006 – Gold, Diemersfontein Pinotage 2008, Carpe Diem Pinotage 2007 – Gold. Wamakersvallei Winery wins with Pinotage Die Jongwynskou-dinee het met spog en sprankel plaasgevind by die Wellington se jongste venue – Kleinevalleij waar Wamakersvallei die klaswenner was in die cultivar Pinotage.
Wellington stands its ground in the Terroir Wine Awards.The three wines which received the highest scores of all were Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2005, Springfontein Jil's Dune Chenin Blanc 2008 and Diemersfontein's accredited BEE company Thokozani's 2008 (red blend). Another proud Wellington winner is Doolhof who got the highest accolade for the top Malbec, the National Winner in the South African Wine Region in the category: Wine of Origin – Single Vineyard Estate - for their 2007 Doolhof Signatures.
Empowering through sharing
Diemersfontein
Thokozani was launched in 2007 with 35 staff shareholders and is made up of two business entities: A new wine brand (Thokozani), an art gallery and a conference centre on the one side, and on the other, Thokozani properties for the conference-goers to stay overnight. To date the number of shareholders have grown to 55, Thokozani wine fills 6000 cases and contributes to about 10% of Diemersfontein's annual production. Bosman Vineyards
A dama is a blend of spicy Shiraz, elegant Mourvedre, the wild berries from the Primitivo and a hint of Viognier. This wine symbolises the rich history of the seven generations of Bosman and Appolis who toiled together to achieve this proud wine estate. Adam Appolis, nicknamed Adama, was the legendary farm worker and forefather of the many descendants that today still live and work on the estate. Adama celebrates this co-ownership made possible through BEE and salutes a process which originated naturally and with great mutual dignity and respect.
Mont Du Toit
In keeping with his enlightened employment policies, Stephan du Toit, some five years ago, started Blouvlei Wyne. Through this enterprise the employees of Mont du Toit have a direct proprietary interest in the production and sale of wines. Blouvlei produces a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend, a Sauvignon Blanc and a dry Rosé aimed at everyday drinking. All of the workers are shareholders in the company.
A success story
Rita Andreas, Senior Personeelbestuurder van Lelienfontein Wingerdkwekery en Jannie Bosman Boerdery, het vanjaar die Plaaswerker van die Jaar-toekenning vir die Bergrivierstreek uit ’n totaal van 144 inskrywings weggeraap. Andreas is op die plaas van die Bosmans gebore en het haar loopbaan as ’n algemene werker in die wingerd begin. Aanvanklik wou sy 'n onderwyseres word, maar tree nou op as skakelbeampte tussen senior personeel en die hoofbestuurder. Landbou Minister Gerrit van Rensburg het gesê: “Ons het eintlik lankal nie meer plaaswerkers nie, maar landbouers wat van deurslaggewende belang vir ons bedryf is. Die doel van die kompetisie is dan ook om erkenning te gee aan die mense wat uitstaan as landbouers in ’n kompeterende landboubedryf. Rita, ma van twee, is getroud met Cornelius en is ook die sleutelfiguur vir 250 werkers. “Ek is trots om ’n plaaskind te wees wat nie hoef terug te staan vir stadskinders nie.” Diemersfontein - a decade of success
Adapted from an article on www.diemersfontein.co.za
A capacity crowd of 2,000 fans descended on Diemersfontein to celebrate the launch of vintage 2009 at the annual Pinotage pilgrimage. Intended as a means of thanking loyal fans, Pinotage on Tap offers a unique combination of enticing elements: chocolate seductions filled with the coffee Pinotage; hay bales placed invitingly on the lawns and in the marquee; Pinotage games and chocolate fountains surrounded by strawberries; and of course Pinotage served liberally from barrels positioned throughout the estate. Pinotage on Tap 2010 will mark the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the launch of this crowd-pulling event.
Just in case you did not know - Diemersfontein achieved, for the third year running 'best on show' wine at WineX Cape Town as decided by popular vote, a double gold medal for their Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage; the 'big sister' to the wine, at the Veritas Awards; along with a place in the ABSA Top 20 Pinotage competition. Gravel Travel Wellington Wine Route was a united front at Gravel Travel .15 August dawned and no rain! As a result cyclists swamped Diemersfontein and the starting time had to be postponed by an hour. Undaunted the Wine Route members waited in the wings and decorated and adorned their tables as soon as the conference room was free. A steady stream of tasters and buyers passed through and a grand sum of R45 000 of wine was sold. A total of 1100 cyclists took part with an estimated 500 hangers-on staying behind.
NUWE ETIKETTE. NEW MEMBERS .NEW RELEASES
Bosman Family Vineyards in the Pink
Die bekende kunstenaar Louis Jansen van Vuuren, Hardy Olivier en Anet Pienaar het hulle nuwe boek, Feestelike Frankryk, vrygestel op Lelienfontein en dit gevier met die unieke Bosman Rosé, gemaak van 27 kultivars. Die smaak van die wyn is vol somergeure soos roosblare, aarbeie, waatlemoene en kwepers. Recently Rosé has been proclaimed to be the trendy pour for warmer weather, so brush-up on your "pinks" and make a fashion statement at your next party or picnic lunch! "Ons Rosé het gegroei in 'n koel klimaat, dus het die wingerdstok minder suiker geproduseer, gevolglik het dit minder alkohol. Dus is die wyn baie verfrissend - steeds propvol geur, net met minder alkohol", sê wynmaker Corlea. Finalist in Woman Winemaker of the Year award Bosman Family Vineyards wine maker Corlea Fourie was nominated twice consecutively in the past 2 years a finalist for the South African Woman Winemaker of the year awards. Out of 65 entries, 6 finalists were chosen for this sought after position. She is entering her 5th harvest with Bosman Family Vineyards. Beware of the Minotaur Doolhof release a wine called Minotaur produced from top quality, hand picked grapes from the estate’s premier vineyards. Different grape varietals were fermented separately with extended maceration on the skins after fermentation. Only the best barrels were selected for this wine, which was matured in 225 litre French oak barrels for 14 months, before bottling in September 2008.The Minotaur has an intense, dark plum colour with aromas and flavours of black currants, almonds, cherries and mint. This is a well balanced, full-bodied wine with well integrated tannins. Only 3 400 bottles have been produced and the wine is expected to drink well up to 2022. Well done Welgegund Welgegund volg die Mediterreense voorbeeld en maak vol, vrugtige wyne met baie kompleksiteit. Die druiwe is hoofsaaklik uit eie bodem met net 'n bietjie Sauvignon wat van elders kom. Die Divina 2009 is 'n Rosé wat 'n versnit is van Carignan en Pinotage (die enigste in die land). Chiara 2009 is versny van Chenin, Sauvingnon, Chardonnay en Viognier, en het weggestap met 4 sterre in Platter 2010. Middel 2010 kan ons uitsien na Fiero Pinotage en Ricco - weereens Mediterreense versnitte met Shiraz, Grenanche, Cinsaut, Barbera en Carignan.
Wamakers at Woollies – 11of the wines on the shelf come from Wamakersvallei Cellar, amongst a few: Zesty White, Reckless Red, Wild White and What Merlot to name a few Bush vine Gem Bain's Way Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2009 was crafted from 25 year-old bush vines. After crushing, the juice was left on the skins for 3 hours and then pressed. Lovely with seafood or salad.
New members
In 2003 the seven hectare Alkmaar Boutique Vineyard in Blouvlei was acquired by Bouwer and Janet Nell who are driven by their vision to create wines of outstanding quality. In this small vineyard, the vines are nurtured and cared for to produce an outstanding quality fruit that contribute to wine of brilliant character. In 2008 the historic out-building was restored to form part of the maturation cellar and cellar.
The Old School Master is a wine inspired by the dedication of two masters, a schoolmaster and a winemaster and the label pays tribute to the quaint little school on Alkmaar established by Meester Stucki in 1862. In the Financial Times article Great New South Africans (Nov 2009) Janis Robinson scores Alkmaar The Old Schoolmaster 2005 a resounding 17 out of 20
When driving along the Bovlei road you can see a row of imposing palms along the slopes of Groenberg. It is here where the Entwistles are very busy restoring the Groenberg farm to its former glory when this valley teemed with pioneers and adventurers heading for the Interior. At Val du Charron is a brand new 4 star 8-room guesthouse and a conference facility which is already in operation. The first Val du Charron Wines released are a Rose and a Chenin with some spicy blends waiting in the wings for the latter half of 2010. The wine maker is Julian Mori, ex Villiera.
THE GRAND LABYRINTH AWAITS DISCERNING TRAVELLERS
What was once the historic Doolhof manor house, after many months emerged into a 5 star boutique hotel called Grand Dedale. Decorated by Dorothy Kerrison, who with her love for lavish furnishings, contemporary and period, looked after the interior while the building and logistics were masterfully overseen by experienced hoteliers Angelo and Tina Casu. Recently the Doolhof wine club Denizens held their first reunion at Grand Dedale and 50 guests were entertained on an elegant luncheon and also tasted the prized Minotaur.
On a high note
Mont du Toit het hulle kelderdeure oopgegooi vir 'n klassieke konsert om die opening van hulle nuwe proelokaal te vier. Aubrey Lodewyk (bariton), Lente Louw (sopraan) en begeleier Albie van Schalkwyk het Mozart, Schumann en A.G. Visser gehuldig met liedere en arias uit die operas. Die nuwe proelokaal is vanaf September oop vir die publiek. Mont du Toit het ook 'n sjokolade vrygestel sowel as sommige van hulle ouer oesjare (1998 - 2002 ).
365 COMPETITION: THE COMPETITION WHERE YOU STAND A CHANCE TO WIN AN INSTANT CELLAR
Visit our Harvest Festival from 20-22 March, buy a wristband, enter your business card in the box provided and you may be the proud recipient of a bottle of wine on your table every night of the year.
Last year's winner When Cindy Crompton bought her pass and glass at the Info office on the Saturday morning in Wellington, little did she know that she was going to win herself 365 bottles of Wellington wine. Cindy and her friends started off by tasting brandy and chocolate at Savingnac de Versailles, moved on to the market at Welgegund and Mont du Toit where they sampled a spread of goodies, had lunch (Crayfish nogal) at Linton Park and ended off the day with a heady cocktail at Mischa Estate. As they left for home she noticed the 365 competition box and promptly entered, not giving it a second thought...
Loading
