Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa – Part 1 The Owner’s Villa

I recently had the distinct pleasure of having a personal tour of Laurence Graff’s private villa also known as “Owner’s Villa” at Delaire Graff Estate. The Owners Villa is also available to rent out (by application) if available for $25,000 USD/night.

The estate is anchored on the vineyard slopes of Botmanskop, high above the Helshoogte Pass (which links Stellenbosch to Franschhoek), The estate offers a stunning 360-degree view in which Table Mountain can be seen to the west, and Franschhoek to the east. There are absolutely stunning views wherever you look!

The Owner’s Villa

The Owner’s Villa certainly sets a new standard in luxury accommodation. Exclusivity is what it’s all about, starting with a private entrance and being totally secluded from the rest of the lodges.

The villa is spread across two floors, with two bedrooms on each floor, is 7,100-square-foot and features two living rooms, a dining room, a welcoming appointed kitchen, walk-in temperature-controlled wine cellar, a 45-foot swimming pool, a jacuzzi terrace, family room, a fully equipped gym, and about every luxe amenity imaginable. All meals, are bespoke, prepared by the Villa’s chef to match the high Delaire Graff standard and for nannies and security there are two ensuite rooms. The luxurious Villa offers discerning guests demanding opulence and space in a relaxed country setting.

Two helipads are also on the estate, allowing guests to travel directly from the Cape Town International Airport. Rumor has it that a business executive recently rented the villa out for a month and parked his new Ferrari out front.

The villa also acts as a gallery for Laurence Graff’s personal art collection and is truly something to behold! He is frequently named one of the world’s top art collectors. As one of the world’s most respected diamond magnates and philanthropists he says, “Curating the art for the Owner’s Villa has been a very personal project. Among the remarkable displays of international talent are works by new and established African artists, demonstrating the immense wealth of creativity discovered across Africa and showcased and celebrated throughout Delaire Graff Estate.” Graff’s art collection is contemporary South African art by iconic and emerging South African artists. Works by William Kentridge, Lionel Smit, Dylan Lewis, Deborah Bell, Sidney Kumalo, Durant Sihlali, Cecil Skotnes and Stephane Graff define many of the interior and exterior spaces.

Today’s ultra-high-net-worth travelers are looking for exceptional experiences and seeking the best of everything. This is the place to experience all of this and some. The bar has certainly been raised!

…continues Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa – Part 2 Wine Tasting

#tourism #winetourism #DelaireGraffEstate #holidaydestination
#CapeWinelands #DrinkSouthAfrican #SpectacularSouthAfrica #SouthAfricanWine #wine #winelovers #DrinkSouthAfrican #SouthAfricanWine
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#fineart #artcollection #relaischateaux #delairegraff #luxuryliving

Churchill’s Offers “Vindima” Douro Harvest Experience

Churchill’s is offering tourists the opportunity to participate in picking grapes and immerse themselves knee-deep in the tradition of treading the fruit under foot this September. It was just announced that Quinta da Gricha, their flagship vineyard, will welcome visits for its annual ‘Vindima’ September 10, 11 and 25th. The day begins with a grape picking challenge with Churchill’s viticultural team, where they will harvest the berries that go into its wines.

The experience continues with a tasting of four wines, including two vintage Ports from the same vineyard that you just picked from.

You can’t make wine without crushing grapes, and Churchill’s is one of the few Port houses to still do it by foot. The attendees will have the chance to tread on the fruit in the traditional granite lagares, which date back to 1852. Clothing will be provided, for those concerned about irreparably staining their white tops and shorts.

The experience ends with guests will be treated to a three-course lunch in the orange grove, with Churchill’s Douro wines and vintage Port to pair.

The price is £185 per person, with additional options for transfers from/to Porto.

For further details and registration: https://bit.ly/3JFRrWI

#portwine #port #churchills_port #churchills_estates #churchills_lodge #1982bar #ChurchillsPort #ChurchillsEstates #QuintadaGricha #PortWine #DouroWine #Douro #DouroValley #IloveDouro #DouroLovers #winerylife #winetasting #winetourism #winetime #winecountry #vineyard #vines #iloveDouro #wineexperience #wineharvest
#winesofportugal #vinho

@churchills_port

The Oude Werf Hotel, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This week I’m staying at The Oude Werf Hotel, which is in the heart of the Winelands, in Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is surrounded by the picturesque vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the mountains of Jonkershoek and Simonsberg. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa, dating back to 1679.  The town has oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch architecture, giving me a true sense of South Africa’s Dutch colonial history.

I learned that the Oude Werf Hotel is also steeped in history. It’s the oldest hotel in South Africa and stands on the landmark site of the country’s first church. The original hotel was built in 1687 and was later destroyed by fire in 1710. The “churchyard” then gave rise to the Cape Dutch-style Wium’s Inn, which was rebuilt and renamed the Oude Werf Hotel.

It’s a beautiful boutique hotel, right in the heart of Stellenbosch and I found it to be a wonderfully eclectic mix of contemporary boutique and old-world charm with friendly and helpful staff.

Perfect Location

This boutique hotel is located downtown Stellenbosch, in the center of the Cape Winelands – the premier wine region of South Africa.  There are so many beautiful wine farms to visit and it’s only 45 km from Cape Town, and 20 km from the Atlantic Ocean. I found it perfect for wine tourism and cultural exploration.

Website:  https://www.oudewerf.co.za

#southafrica #southafricantravel #winelover #travelling #winetravel #winetourism #womeninwine #wineexperience #winelovers #winetravels #winetasting #Stellenbosch #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling #WOSA #oudewerfhotel #oudewerf #oudewerfhotel #wine @oudewerfhotel #michelangeloawards

 Holden Manz Wine Estate, Franschhoek [South Africa]

I’m so happy to be back in South Africa and to re-visit Holden Manz Wine Estate. My last visit was four years ago, and I was very impressed back then.……..and now more impressed!

Holden Manz Wine Estate is located in Franschhoek Valley, surrounded by majestic mountains and two rivers.  Here I found a bit of “Heaven on South African Soils” by tasting the wines and viewing the stunning sunset.

About Holden Manz Wine Estate

Holden Manz is a 22-hectare wine farm located in the southern corner of Franschhoek Valley, surrounded by spectacular mountains, between the Franschhoek and Stony Brook Rivers. Holden Manz grows exclusively red grape varieties, notably: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot and make notable ultra-premium wines.

One of the co-owners Gerard Holden purchased the estate back in 2010.  Gerard tells me that he currently runs the vineyard with a hands-on approach and works closely with head winemaker Thierry Haberer and winemaker Annamarie Fourie.  [Watch this space as I will be interviewing Annamarie for Women in Wine Talks in the next few weeks!].

The Wines

Holden Manz red wines have won many international wine competitions and are big and bold! Without any doubt, they are some of the best South African Cabernet Franc I have ever tasted.

Favorites

2015 Holden Manz Cabernet Franc Reserve
Big and bold, a bit more elegant than the 2014, lovely deep dark red in colour, concentrated red ripe fruit, with black and green pepper, medium tannins, and long finish – stunning!

2016 Holden Manz Cabernet Franc Reserve
Fragrant wine with aromas of red raspberries, tobacco, lavender with hints of spice, a rich and elegant wine with predominant cassis and dark berries, well-balanced, pleasant subtle tannins, long finish of spice and mocha

2017 Holden Manz Cabernet Franc Reserve
A bright ruby red hue, aromatic notes of tobacco, spice, pepper, and black fruit, well-balance and rich with cassis and dark berries, subtle tannins, long finish ending with spice and mocha

2018 Holden Manz Cabernet Franc Reserve [served with med-rare Springbok fillet]
Deep garnet colour, aromatic notes of mulberry, blackberry, and tobacco, with hints of lavender and spice, well-balanced, rich with cassis and dark berries, silky tannins, long finish ending with spice and mocha.

The dinner was outstanding – Textures of carrots, Springbok Loin and for dessert, Malva Pudding.

#holdenmanzwineestate #franschhoek #holdenmanz
@holden.gerard #WineTourismSouthAfrica #SupportSouthAfrica #DrinkSouthAfrican #SouthAfricanWine #franschhoek #valleyofdreams
#winelover #travelling #winetravel #winetourism #womeninwine #wineexperience #winetravels #winetasting #vineyards #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling #WOSA @Holdenmanzwineestate

Abruzzo Wine Region is in an Exciting Phase of Transformation – Part ll

The Abruzzo wine region is emerging and being rediscovered not only from cultural, historic, and architectural perspectives, the regional also has remarkable wines and gastronomic traditions. It is interesting to note that Abruzzo is Italy’s fifth-largest wine-producing region.  Wine producers, and grape growers previously focused on quantity over quality.  On my recent trip to the region, I met a new generation of innovative winemakers and wine producers who are revitalizing wine production and it certainly shows that Abruzzo has a bright future!  Here are some of my highlights and experiences on wineries visited and wines tasted.

Emidio Pepe
At a Glance

The vineyards are located in the northern province of Teramo, in the town of Torano Nuovo – between the Adriatic coast and the Gran Sasso and Maiella mountains. The estate has 15 hectares of vineyards; with soils that are rich in clay and limestone. 

  • Emidio Pepe produces three wines: Trebbiano d’Abruzzo; Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Pecorino;
  • Is a benchmark-producer of Montepulciano and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo;
  • Is one of the pioneers of Biodynamic winemaking in Italy;
  • No oak used in the winemaking process – fermentation is in cement and then bottle-aged;
  • The grapes are grown biodynamically, hand-harvested, hand-destemmed, fermented with spontaneous yeast and aged 18-24 months in glass-lined cement tanks;
  • Red grapes are crushed by hand, and white grapes are crushed by foot;
  • These are some of the most age-worthy, legendary wines in Abruzzo and in Italy;
  • Emidio Pepe has created some amazingly complex age-worthy reds and whites in a region of mass-produced wines;
  • The family has been producing wines here since the end of the 19th Century, the winemaking process has remained philosophically unchanged since Emidio Pepe took over the estate in 1964;
  • Wine production has been in the hands of the fourth generation of the Pepe family, sisters Daniela and Sofia, since 1997 – more recently, the Chiara de Iulis Pepe has joined the estate as the fifth generation;
  • No additives or sulfites are used; and
  • All bottles are hand-decanted before entering the market.

We received a very warm welcome by Emidio Pepe, and his lovely granddaughter Chiara De lulis Pepe to the family estate.  Chiara showed us the cellars and vineyards.  Chiara explained that she follows the example of her grandfather and would like to continue to make “fine wines that are made to age and evoked this particular place…between the sea and the Gran Sasso range.”

I was served a traditional seven-course dinner which was paired wonderfully with nine wines. First up was Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2019, 2009, and 2004. These vintage whites made from the Trebbiano variety were outstanding. Wonderful classics with brilliant harmony and long length.

I also tasted the 2013 Emidio Pepe Pecorino Colli Aprutini IGT – which was outstanding!

2013 Emidio Pepe Pecorino Colli Aprutini IGT
This as Pepe’s other white wine that you should “must try”!  Highly recommended. Intensely flavored with yellow plums, herbs, white flowers and minerals; full of personality; long length.
93/100

Followed by Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 1983 vintages.  This was certainly fun and interesting to taste these older vintages – the 1983 and 2001 really stood out for me.

1983 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The 1983 vintage was fully mature and at its peak today. It exuberated a wonderful nose of red berries, forest floor, herbal notes, spice; while on the palate it was a deep, full-bodied, and complex wine with a wonderful balance and long length.  A wonderful wine!
94/100

The 2000 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo was missing.  This vintage is one of Emidio Pepe’s personal favorites – hence the missing vintage. According to his granddaughter, this vintage was “delicious with beautiful red cherry fruit, licorice and spice.”

2001 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
This dark cherry red wine had wonderful rich aromas of ripe red cherries, herbs, and leather which flowed through to the palate ending with a long and lively finish. This wine has many more years of aging potential.
93/100

“I definitely consider myself extremely lucky to taste all these Emidio Pepe vintages all at one sitting….with the Emidio Pepe family – what a wonderful experience!” Liz Palmer

Website: https://www.emidiopepe.com/en/

Castorani
At at Glance

Castorani dates back to 1793, and is characterized by a stunning 18th-century villa. The organic winery is located between the Majella National Park and the Adriatic Coast, 30 km from the coast. The estate owns 75 acres of beautiful, lush countryside which include the vineyards, in the province of Pescara in Abruzzo.

I was sooooo thrilled to visit Castorani as I am an F1 Fanatic! Castorani was recently acquired by two partners: a former F1 driver, Jarno Trulli, and his manager, Lucio Cavuto.  These two partners have revived the winery, and both take care of the day-to-day activities including winemaking through to the promotion of the wines.

The estate’s principal grape varieties include: Malvasia, Cococciola, Pecorino, Passerina, and Montepulciano. Castorani is also experimenting with new varietals. This estate believes “Pursuit of excellence can only be satisfied through respect for traditional expertise.” Wine production is in a temperature-controlled underground cellar.

Lucio Cavuto gave us a tour of the property, the underground wine production facility, and Angelo Molisani, the winemaker. One of the former F1 cars was the office lobby ….. what a “sight to behold WOW !!! Angelo gave an overview of Castorani’s wine production, vineyards, harvest and other technical details which was followed by an amazing wine tasting experience with both Luco and Angelo.

Wines that stood out:

2015 Jarno Rosso Colline Pescaresi IG
A beautiful intense ruby red colour, intense spice aromas, licorice and red fruits, hints of vanilla, and chocolate; It is full-bodied and rich on the palate with elegant tannins; long finish – intense and persistent. A great wine!
91/100

2016 Amorino Casauria Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
The colour shows a deep garnet red; concentrated aromas rich in cherry, black pepper, and chocolate; very structured palate, full-bodied and rich; elegant tannins with a long finish.
91/100

Website:  https://www.castorani.it/en/

Other wineries visited include:

Abbazia di Propezzano Website: http://www.destrasser.it/

Strappelli Website: https://cantinastrappelli.it/

Pasetti Winery Website: https://www.pasettivini.it/en/

Next Article in this edition is:
Abruzzo Wine Region is in an Exciting Phase of Transformation – Part lll  Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo for the Summer!

#castorani #F1 #jarnotrulli #formula1  #montepulciano #castoranivini #abruzzowine #EmidioPepe #abruzzoitaly #adriaticsea #pecorino #montalcinodabruzzo #trebbiano #cerasuolodabruzzo @ieemusa @visititaly #italianwines #wine #winelovers #vinidabruzzo #abruzzowines #abruzzo #abruzzoitaly #abruzzowine #winetravel #winetourism #womeninwine #vin #vinidabruzzo #abruzzolovers #abruzzo #abruzzodocpecorino  #trebbianodabruzzo #cerasuolodabruzzo #italianwinelovers