Welcome to the Western Cape Wineries - a kiwi's opinion blog

I originally set up this blog to help foreigners have an enjoyable experience when visiting the western cape wineries in South Africa.

I realised that it is very difficult for a tourist to choose where to go and which wineries to visit, when you have 600+ wine producers to choose from.

When I first moved to SA December 2010, my palate struggled to adjust to SA wine, b
ut after living here for a while and after visiting over 100+ wine estates, I have found many wines which I really like and can highly recommend.

Admittingly, when you come from another country it is hard not to compare the wine in SA to what you are used to back home. However, once you realise they are not the same (they have their own characteristics due to the different soil, climate etc) and appreciate their wines for being SA wines, it will improve your opinion and experience of the wines immediately.

If you are staying in SA for a while, don't dispair, your palate will change, and you will soon find yourself liking SA wine over your home countries wine!!

I hope my blog will help wine lovers have an enjoyable wine experience while in SA.

Please note: I am not a wine connoisseur. The comments I write about the wine is mostly for my own benefit of having them on record.



Monday 12 September 2011

Delheim

This is a very nice winery which is now another favourite of mine.



I went to this winery with my boyfriend a few weekends back. The drive up to the winery is just beautiful, the grounds are so nicely kept and the place is quiet and sureal.


Once we arrived at the car park for Delheim I was already impressed and excited. As you walk through to the restaurant and wine tasting room, you can appreciate the trees, housing, the birds and gardens. Its all stunning and just sets the mood for what is to come.


We had booked a table for two at the restaurant, and just as well, as the place was very busy by 1pm. When we arrived there was not many people, we got a table outside in the sun, and had a beautiful view. It was gorgeous!!




The menu was very satisfying, there was plenty to choose from. We choose to have a platter, there are several to choose from. The platter was very nice, we went for the german platter, which included cheese, sausage, crackers, bread, preserves, a type of quiche plus more. It was all very nice.


The service was very good here. Even once the place got busy, we were looked after very well.


After lunch we went to the cellar door for a tasting. The service was not as good here, and it didn't get much better after we were seated. As soon as we sat down, people just started coming in one after the other after the other. The place had all of a sudden got full, and there were only two people to serve all the people. There had to be about 20 guests there.


To do a tasting here costs R20 for 6 standard wines and R30 for a premium tasting. If you plan to visit Muratie (which I highly recommend) then it is R40 to try any 6 wines at this winery (standard or premium) and do a tasting at Muratie. It is very difficult to choose just six when there are 18 wines to choose from!! The decor of the wine tasting room is very interesting and quite cool.



The wine is very nice here, I liked the Heerenwijn 2010 (R42), Pinotage Rose 2010 (R42), Spatzendreck Late Harvest 2010 (R42), Chardonnay 2010 (R62) and the Vera Cruz Shriaz 2007 (R245). Most of the wines here are reasonably priced, though there are some wines which are more pricey.


If you come here for a tasting and not a lunch, they will allow you to order a platter from the restaurant and enjoy it while you do a tasting. I thought that was pretty cool.


I most definitely recommend you visit this winery, hopefully you wont get it at such a busy time as we did. The restaurant is fantastic, and I highly recommend you book yourself a table here and enjoy a nice meal with great views!!  I do feel this is a winery you should make the effort to come visit.

No comments:

Post a Comment