Country Life in the Robertson Wine Valley

I have been so privileged to have attended this year’s Slow Food and Wine Festival at Robertson. It truly was a weekend to remember.

Robertson valley is situated a mere 2 hour scenic drive from Cape Town on the renowned Route 62 and nestled between the majestic Langeberg and Riviersonderend mountain ranges with the graceful Breede River running through the valley. I discovered great gems that I never knew about and there are still much more that I want to see and taste. The people from this valley is warm and opened their hearts and homes for us. Coming from the Free state this spoke to my heart and I felt right at home. From our first stop to the very last this was the case. Let me show you some of the gems I have discovered.

Our first stop was at Rooiberg for a wine tasting, love lock and red chai experience.

 

The wine that really stood out for me was their Pinotage Reserve.

We had lunch at Bodega where they served the most delisious Butter Chicken curry which was perfect in the cold weather.

 

Our next stop was Graham Beck where we were treated like kings! We had a cellar tour and tasting the whole range of their MCC’s.

 

Our accommodation for the weekend was at The MO & Rose Guesthouse. The rooms were spacious with crisp white linen, a fire place and the interior was fresh and beautifully done.

Their Cactus garden is very old and so impressive. They have walking trails, swimming pool and boules to enjoy in this unique garden.

On the premises of the Mo & Rose guesthouse they have a gem of a restaurant overlooking this beautiful garden. They serve the most amazing breakfast. The husband and wife team are dynamite in the restaurant. Chef Werner Snoek is a well known chef in the industry and is doing just that. Delivering world class food from breakfast to dinner with a passionate personality and his wife such a fantastic host. I will drive through just to have that experience again.

 

Kranskop.  What can I say this was the most memorable eveing I had in a very long time. From our arrival we were greeted warmly by the winemaker himself Newald Marais. He and his whole family were involved in this spectacular dinner hosting in their cellar, it was a small intimate dinner only for 12 people. The food was comforting and delicious. The wines that stood out for me was the Tinat, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaker Newald Marais & myself.

Mont Blois.  Imagine driving in the country side of Italy just prettier, this is what Mont Blois looks like. They just renovated the old silo’s to the tasting room with the most beautiful views of the mountains and vineyards. Winemaker Nina-Mari Bruwer hosted us. This is a private cellar so you have to make a booking to taste their wines. It is well worth it.

Bon Courage.  This wine estate stood out to me with their beautiful views and their tasting room.  Their interior is so classy and stylish. When they opened their first bottle of wine ….. lets back track, our host Lee-Irvine was a gem I can see him going places in the wine industry with extensive knowledge of the wines and the passion for Bon Courage wines we couldn’t but help loving him from the get go.

Their wines was remarkable. They have a fantastic  Inkara 2016 Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon oh and a Sauvignon Blanc I will go back for. After our tasting we had lunch at their restaurant Cafe Maude where I met the owners. It felt like we knew each other for years. They treated us with a glass of the Inkara Shiraz the best banting burger and calamari I will dream about for a very long time. The hospitality of this restaurant and wine estate stood out for me. Thank you Bon Courage you will see me again soon.

 

Ilze van der Merwe & Myself enjoying Bon Courage.

Winemakers dinner at Excelsion Wine Estate.  The De Wet family have farmed at Excelsior Estate, in the Robertson wine valley, since 1859 when Koos de Wet settled here and began clearing the veld of the Little Karoo. With nostalgia we entered the Manor house which is now a guesthouse. WE were treated with the best food and wine and had great company.

Our host at Cafe Maude Francois Malherbe.