A Day at Sprintfontein Wine Estate

 I have never had a a wine experience like yesterday. 

African Queen
Stanford, South Africa
February 17, 2025

Chris and I spent the day totally involved with one wine estate from about 10 AM until 5 PM. Wow! What a day! We walked the vineyards, we tasted the wines, and we enjoyed a fully narrated four-hour wine lunch which included tasting 11 wines! Coupled with the wine we enjoyed on the boat, we sampled 12 South African wines yesterday.

Snake in the River
Sanford, South Africa
February 17, 2025

The day began with a boat and wine experience on the Klein River near Sanford, ZA. The boat ride was coupled with an introduction to the Springfontein Wine Estate. The trip down the river was enjoyable, I always enjoy being on a boat. The excitement was when a yellow and black snake swam across in front of the boat. No one knows what kind it was, but some speculated it was a spitting Cobra. The skipper of the boat reversed the engines to allow it a wide berth as it swam from one side of the river to the other. 

Johst and the Argon Pressurized Tank
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17, 2025

After the journey to the winery along the river, where we saw a lot of wildlife including Egyptian Geese, ducks, and many other birds we arrived at the winery and began a day of wine education and tasting. 

The Spring
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17, 2025

I cannot begin to say enough about Springfontein Wine Estate. They are an organic wine producer committed to biodiversity. The owner is working to expand knowledge of and interest in South African wines with the two principal varieties being the red Pinotage and the white Chanel.

Chris and I had the opportunity to learn about how the wines are produced, including a new pressurized intracellular fermentation process using tanks and argon gas. We also had the opportunity to walk the vineyards and see the spring which provides the estate with both water its name.  Sadly, we also viewed first hand the damage birds caused to the crop where about 40 percent of the potential harvest was lost. 

A Bunch of Chanel Grapes
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17. 2025

After the orientation to the estate, we proceeded to a wine lunch, which lasted almost 4 hours and provided 11 selected wines paired with food. There were six courses and I sampled for the first time kudu (a type of antelope) along with gourmet prepared dishes that paired fantastically with the estate's wines.

While the food was gourmet, the wines were the stars of the afternoon. We enjoyed a selection of Chenin Blanc, Chanel, Pinotage, and blends which all were well crafted and paired perfectly. 

Wine Lunch
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17, 2025

Through it all, the founder and owner of the estate provided the narrative of the wines and his vision for the future of not only his wines, but South African wines in general. 

When we were finally ready to depart, some almost seven hours after starting the day, I was excited about the future of South African wines and especially the varietal Chanel. 

What a great day of wine and education and gastronomic delight. Wow!

And to think, Chris and I are on this wine tour for another week!

-- Bob Doan, Hermanus, South Africa