Stellenbosch Archives

Stellenbosch “Sommelier Bootcamp” Launches September

Stellenbosch Wine Routes will hold its inaugural “Sommelier Bootcamp” this September, in a bid to educate wine professionals about the region’s terroir. There will be an intensive five-day course aimed at sommeliers, hospitality professionals and wine media across South Africa with the aim is to immerse participants in the stories of the region and enlist them to help spread the word about its micro terroirs. There will also be tutored technical tastings, and site visits with producers and experts. Bootcamp attendees will complete a practical exam at the end of the course to earn their Stellenbosch Ambassador’s pin.

“It’s our job to tell people the story and create a value proposition for someone or for something [like Stellenbosch wine],” said Spencer Fondaumiere, chair of the South African Sommeliers Association. “Marketing terroir will increase price points and value.”

“There are so many wine brands,” said Thomas Webb of Stellenbosch wine producer Thelema. “We need to do everything we can to promote our wines. And our terroir is the most obvious one. It’s important to look at the wards of Stellenbosch and promote them. The more we look at the smaller level, the more we push up the whole region and country. Now is definitely the time for specialisation.”

“Quite frankly that information isn’t out there,” said Fondaumiere. “There’s no one beating the drum for the different wards in Stellenbosch and saying this is what we’re good at and this is what to expect. If you’re trying to gain information, there’s not much, other than lived experiences which may or may not be correct.”

The bootcamp aims to create a single, relatable story on the region’s typicity. “Stellenbosch is a recognised quality brand in key markets, but it is much more exciting to learn about the region in an immersive experience,” said Elmarie Rabe of Stellenbosch Wine Routes.

Here is the website to apply somm.wineroute.co.za; the deadline is September 2^nd, 2022 and a second bootcamp is planned for November.

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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

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Stellenbosch an Art Lovers Haven

Stellenbosch just 45 minutes outside of Cape Town, South Africa, has become a retreat for art lovers. Its not only home to South Africa’s oldest music school “Stellenbosch Conservatoire.” It also features an impressive collection of galleries and studios. When I wondering the 300-year-old streets of Stellenbosch this week, I came upon these stunning and fun outdoor sculptures – there is such a wealth of diversity and imagination that bring these historic oak-lined streets to life!

So next time you are in Stellenbosch discover Stellenbosch outdoors art – a wealth of diversity and imagination that colour the historic oak-lined streets.

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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

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Fleur du Cap Wine and Artisanal Salt Pairing – A Unique Experience

South Africa’s critically acclaimed-chef Craig Cormack has teamed up with Fleur du Cap winery to create specially designed dishes, which are seasoned with unique salts and perfectly paired with award-winning unfiltered Fleur du Cap wines.

Just as there are regions for wine growing, there are also regions for salt. Craig has sourced out black lava salt from the volcanic rock pools of Hawaii, the sea and desert of South Africa’s arid West Coast, Khoisan and Oryx Desert salt, pink Murray River Salt from Australia, and rare Persian Blue Salt from rock crystals.

Craig explains the process: “One of the challenges when pairing salt and wine is to create food that will enhance the wine without dominating it. The natural process of crafting Fleur du Cap wines by allowing the style inherent in the grapes to guide the winemaking team, works particularly well with unrefined, artisanal salts, reverting back to nature in both the food and the wines.”

Some of Craig’s pairings include: Merlot paired with Beef Carpaccio paired with Kala Namak Salt; Chenin Blanc paired with Pizzadeliere paired with Caviar Salt; Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Salted Beef paired with Oryx Salt; Pinotage paired with Salted Peanut, Chocolate and Banana Mouse paired with Peruvian Salt, amongst others. Each dish has a unique salt profile which, when paired with Fleur du Cap wine, brings out the complex flavours of these varietals.

Situated in the hart of Stellenbosch wine country, Fleur du Cap vineyards reflect the rich biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom. One of only six such plant kingdoms in the world – home to over 9,600 plant species.

“Our wines are crafted with nature in mind based on our winemaking philosophy of Regional Excellence”

My favorite pairing
Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Salted Beef paired with Oryx Salt

Oryx Salt
South Africa; natural white unprocessed and sundried; trace minerals

Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Tasting Notes

Complex flavours of blackcurrant, blueberry with hints of violets and mocha; integrated oaking adds firm tannins, which give a long finish.

Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Food Suggestions
This complex wine is the ideal accompaniment to fillet of beef and roast lamb but goes equally well with rich, robust dishes and strong cheeses.