But Wait, there is more

Stian Willernse
Wildeberg Winery, Franschhoek, ZA
February 19, 2025

 Grapes, apples, and olives are  the principle crops grown in the region of South Africa we traveled through and visited yesterday. Both the grapes and apples are being harvested.

Wildebery Winery Offerings
Franschhoek, ZA
February 19, 2025

We began the day in a very scenic valley of the Franschhoek appellation at the Wildeberg Winery. We enjoyed tasting seven of their wines. Stian Willernse guided us through the tasting which included Semillon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, a Chenin and Grenache blend, a Cabernet Franc and Malbec blend, a Grenache and Syrah blend and finally a Cinsault. Each of the wines provided us with insight into the mind of the winemaker. Stian advised that the Coterie Cabernet Franc (67%)/Malbec (33%) blend was their number one seller at the winery and I have to agree that of the seven wines we tasted, it was my favorite. The wine had cherries and black currant on the nose, mild tannins, and a very enjoyable balance and structure.

Overall, I felt that all of the wines exhibited a good balance and provided an excellent representation of the winery. 

Avondale Oak Barrel Room
Paarl, South Africa
February 19, 2025

We boarded our bus and headed off to Avondale Wines in Paarl, South Africa. 

Nelson Mandela Statue
February 19, 2025

Along the way to Avondale, we passed a prison from which Nelson Mandela negotiated the terms of his release and the end of apartheid. A statue of Mandela was erected at the entrance to the prison shortly after his death on 2014. I was barely able to snap an image of the statue as the bus sped by. 

Arriving at Avondale we were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the barrel room during harvest. It was abuzz with activity, but we were able to view the extensive network of steel tanks, uncountable numbers of oak barrels and some unique wine making vessels including underground vessels pioneered in the country of Georgia and other vessels created both in Italy and South Africa. 

I had heard about the Georgian underground method of fermenting wine and as it was explained, there is little intervention from the winemaker. The grapes go into the tanks and ferment for a year and then are drained and the wine is made with an ABV of about 12 percent.

Lunch Menu
February 19, 2025

Following the tour, we were treated to a gourmet two course wine lunch which featured four wines. I have added a copy of the menu to highlight the quality and complexity of the food and wines we have been enjoying at our wine lunches. They are truly extraordinary and esoteric. 

The Tour Group on the Veranda
Royal Hotel, Riebeek Kasteel, ZA
February 19, 2025

As for the four wines, they were expertly paired with the courses. Of the four wines presented, my favorite was the Druk-my-Niet Cabernet Franc 2019. It was a solid Cabernet Franc which expressed the character of the grape with a good nose and Excellent color. It paired well with the meat and did not show either the green pepper or black pepper which is present in so many Cab Francs. 

Climbing back onto the bus, we headed off to our hotel for the night, the Royal Hotel in Riebeek Kasteel. Along the way we marveled at the stunning scenery and were concerned about fires raging on the mountains and near the road we traversed. Upon arriving at the hotel, we processed in and almost as a complete group enjoyed gin and tonic on the veranda. It is said that two prime ministers of South Africa have enjoyed the veranda of the hotel. The hotel is decorated in an authentic style, but offers modern conveniences. The town is small, but provides essential places to eat for the hotel. 

Today, more wine! More travel, but we return to Royal Hotel for the evening!

-- Bob Doan, Riebeek Kasteel, South Africa