We have reached the time of year when trees are sprouting new blooms, polo-necks get replaced by light jumpers, and motivation for spring-cleaning your garage comes easier! It is the perfect time to celebrate our achievements, enjoy the present moment and plan for tomorrow!
 

The excitement at family-run Warwick Wine Estate continues to build as summer approaches. There can be few venues in the Stellenbosch wine lands more magical than this historical, but cutting edge wine Estate which oozes charm and sophistication. With a history steeped in making fabulous wines, Warwick specialises in hosting year end functions with that extra bit of non-corporate pizzazz.

 

 

With options from fully catered sit-down events to their speciality ‘gourmet picnic’ experience and year-round kiddy-friendly facilities – there is something to offer for everyone - from a large company year-end function to a small intimate birthday party for ten. You can call them on 021-8844410 or visit www.warwickwine.com.

         

Congratulations to Ntsiki Biyela, winemaker at Stellekaya, on the lovely article in this week’s New York Times. You make us proud!

Click HERE to read the full article.

    

 

Rugby fanatics now need to go no further than Avontuur Estate between Stellenbosch and Somerset West to grab hold of the ultimate wine item to get them through the upcoming World Cup in fine style!
 
From 1 September the winery is releasing a commemorative version of their popular Classic Red Magnum with each bottle personally autographed by ex Springbok coach Jake White who led the team to the winner’s podium in 2007! This reminder of that glorious time in rugby history, is just what we need to get us into the “local is lekker” mood needed for this hugely patriotic event, for which our boys in green and gold are gearing up at the moment. The wine is an easy-drinking Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend and is available only from the tasting room at the Estate in very limited quantities at R450 per bottle.
 
For more information contact Annelia at Avontuur’s tasting room at 021 855-3450 or winery@avontuurestate.co.za.

 

   
 From left to right are Tara Taberer, ex Springbok coach Jake White, and Michael Taberer.
 

South Africa’s first Cap Classique, the iconic Kaapse Vonkel, celebrates its 40th anniversary with an exciting competition where you can win bubbly and tickets to an unrivalled Kaapse Vonkel birthday party, for sharing your most memorable moment enjoyed with this legendary Stellenbosch sparkler since 1971.

 

From now until the end of September, in celebration of this four decade milestone, Simonsig encourages you to post your fondest memory of your all time best experience shared in the company of Kaapse Vonkel – it can be a story, photograph or video clip – on Facebook and Twitter. Each month Simonsig rewards its most inspiring ‘memorable moment’ with a 1.5 liter Kaapse Vonkel Magnum.

 
These winning stories will then also stand in line to win the grand prize of four complimentary tickets to the birthday bash of the year when Simonsig celebrates 40 fabulous years of Kaapse Vonkel with four unrivalled celebrations on the estate on 8, 15, 22 and 29 October. The winning tickets include flutes of Cap Classique, delicious canapés, your own bottle of Kaapse Vonkel which you will personally degorge and take home as a precious memento, live music and a lavish three-course dinner at the estate’s signature Cuvée restaurant. The winning tickets are valid for any of the four evenings and is valued at R10 000.
 

For more information about Kaapse Vonkel and its Memorable Moments online competition and how to enter visit www.kaapse-vonkel.co.za. Or simply go to Facebook and ‘like’ Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel and post your memorable experience on its ‘wall’, or follow Simonsig Estate on Twitter and tweet to enter. The competition ends on 30 September 2011.

         

We will continue to celebrate our 40th anniversary up north with an unrivalled wine, food, music and art extravaganza at the second Stellenbosch at Summer Place in Hyde Park on Wednesday, 9 November 2011. For one night only, together with Sanlam Private Investments, we will muster our finest assets for a joyous experience of all things epicurean, sharing the grapes, gourmet and glamour of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes with Jozi food and wine lovers.
  
Rub shoulders with 50 top Stellenbosch winemakers, savour more than 100 of the finest wines from the country’s premium wine region and experience top Stellenbosch chefs in action, lending gourmet flair with their signature dishes. The elegant rooms and spaces at the luxurious Summer Place will be transformed into a stylish wine, gourmet and art rendezvous for guests to mingle and indulge all their senses.

 

 

This golden evening also includes live music performances and art enthusiasts will be able to feast their eyes on rare pieces from the Sanlam Art Collection – one of South Africa’s finest and most extensive corporate art collections.
 
If last year’s sell-out inaugural Stellenbosch at Summer Place is anything to go by, tickets will be flying fast so make sure you get hold of yours today. Tickets are limited and cost R395 per head which include wine tasting and gourmet indulgences throughout the evening. The evening starts from 18:30 onwards. For more information and ticket sales contact Christa on 021 886 8275, or visit www.wineroute.co.za/summerplace2011.asp. 

    

The ABSA Top 10 Pinotage Competition 2011 created much excitement again this year, and we would like to congratulate the following four members who are amongst the winners : Beyerskloof Reserve 2008, Kanonkop Pinotage 2006, Laibach 2010 and Naledi 2009 (Spier).
  
For the full results, visit www.pinotage.co.za.

    

Congratulations also to Gary and Cathy Jordan, owners of Jordan Wine Estate, for winning the Top Wine Estate Trophy at the 2011 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards.
 
For the full results, visit www.terroirwineawards.co.za Cheers!
 

And finally, a big welcome to Elmarie Rabe, the new Festival and Events Coordinator for Stellenbosch Wine Routes.
  
Elmarie joined the team on 15 August, and is already working on new events for our region. Watch this space!

 

Greetings until next time!

Annareth Bolton
CEO Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes

 

 


 
 Proudly sponsored by:
 

Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes, Suite 224, Postnet, X5061, Stellenbosch, 7599
Tel: +27 21 886-4310 | Fax: +27 21 886-4330 | Email : info@wineroute.co.za