The Corkless Mind

Tag: South Africa

How to experience Groot Constantia’s visitor’s route

Before the pandemic hit, Groot Constantia saw over 400 000 visitors per annum. Today the number of tourists both local and international are starting to pick up and the estate is abuzz with excitement again. While the estate is renowned for award-winning wines and of course has
the prestigious title of one of South Africa’s oldest working wine estates, many are unaware that there is much more to explore at Groot Constantia.

What is the Visitor’s Route?

Groot Constantia’s Visitor’s Route is a result of years of hard work and extensive planning. The attraction is a slightly recent addition to the estate which is a family-friendly self-guided tour, which follows a specially designed circular route through Groot Constantia’s key attractions.
Starting at the original Manor house, the tour takes guests to the famed Cloete Cellar, the original wine production cellar from 1791, and the birthplace of Grand Constance – the original sweet wines of Constantia that are famed as being Napoleon’s tipple of choice – ordering 30 bottles a month during his exile on St Helena Island. The Cloete Cellar now houses a wine museum and tasting room and here one can enjoy a wine tasting with your own Spiegelau
crystal glass to take home as a special keepsake. From there, guests then head over to the modern Production Cellar, which is the departure point for the self-guided cellar and vineyard audio tours.”

The birthplace of wine tourism

Fun fact: Wine Tourism was originally initiated at Groot Constantia in the 1700s, with the first wine route directions drawn up for the benefit of visitors in that era. Over 300 years later and the estate continues to move from strength to strength and the Visitors Route is a natural extension, and a necessary step to hone its tourism offerings. The Visitor’s route is a monument not only to Groot Constantia but to South African wine production and its global fame.

(Pictured here is Jean Naudé, CEO of Groot Constantia explaining the significance of the first wine route directions and the first advertisement for the Constantia wine route).

What to do after the Visitor’s Route?

Sip and Savour
Visit one or all three of the estate’s tasting rooms (the Cloete Cellar included in the Visitor’s route) to get a taste of greatness and history.

Dine with Groot Constantia Wine

The famed estate plays host to two fabulous restaurants, namely Jonkershuis and Simon’s. Both have cozy indoor spaces to dine in or choose an alfresco set up to enjoy the beautiful view of the Constantia valley. The Jonkershuis eatery is known for its fresh and seasonal diverse range of local cuisine on offer – which never misses a beat! Simon’s has a more casual setup and is now under new management with new offerings on hand. Both restaurants are certainly a culinary experience.

For more information visit http://www.grootconstantia.co.za or connect with Groot Constantia via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GrootConstantia. To make a reservation at Jonkershuis contact+27 21 794-6255, or reservations@jhuis.co.za.

To book at Simon’s contact
+27 21 794-1143 or email info@simons.co.za.

Although pre-booking is not necessary for the Visitors Route Experience, tickets can be pre-purchased from Webtickets (https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1465426753). Alternatively, just arrive and purchase your ticket directly from Groot Constantia on the day. A ticket, which costs R95, provides access to the Manor House and Museum, the Cloete Cellar and Museum, a souvenir Spiegelau crystal wine glass, a wine tasting, and two audio walking tours.

Take a step back into time and experience the visitor’s route this coming weekend.

August 3, 2022
NEWS: Backsberg’s new official look and home

Revitalised and reimagined, Backsberg has re-launched their brand, cellar and brand home. Now situated in Franschhoek, wine lovers can enjoy a refreshed portfolio of Backsberg wines – with a contemporary look and feel – from their new tasting facility, which overlooks the majestic Mont Rochelle Mountain Range. I attended the launch of their new home this week, and what a fabulous venue it is. A beautiful mix of historic nostalgia and modern opulence.

Believing in always forging ahead, this update of the Backsberg Brand was inspired by DGB acquiring a majority shareholding and the start of a new journey as ‘Backsberg Family Wines’ with Simon Back representing the family on the board. “For more than a century Backsberg has been an iconic brand in the Cape Wine industry and we are excited to share our new direction for the winery which celebrates generations of family tradition in a modern and contemporary way”, says Tim Hutchinson, Executive Chairman of DGB.

Paying homage to the original Backs wine label that was prominent prior to the 1970s, the new Backsberg logo focuses on embodying the brand values in a timeless design.

Backberg’s new portfolio of wines includes three collections – Fifth Generation, Family Tree and Patriarch. In the Fifth Generation you’ll find 9 predominantly single varietal wines, each named after a special and significant place on the farm – Gravel Road Chenin Blanc, Hillside Sauvignon Blanc, Citrus Hill Chardonnay, Summer Berry Rosé, Ella Pinotage Rosé, Old Cellar Dry Red, Blueberry Row Pinotage, Plum Valley Merlot and Four Pillars Cabernet Sauvignon. Here you’ll find an offering of easy-drinking, exceptional wines with fresh and exciting flavours.

For life’s special moments, the Family Tree range includes the John Martin Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend, Pumphouse Shiraz and the Smuggled Vines Chardonnay – a collection which honours the people and places which have made significant contributions to the wineries history.

The Patriarch, Backsberg Family Wines’ hero bottle of Cabernet Franc, pays special tribute to the Iconic winemaking legend, Sydney Back. It upholds a strong sense of tradition and inclusivity of all members of the Backsberg family – from in the vineyards to around the dinner table. The complete range of Backsberg wines will be verified as “Carbon Neutral” by the end of July and a decal on each bottle will highlight this recognition and commitment to the environment.

The brand new tasting facility was built around an integral piece of history – a century year old tractor, which was transferred from the original estate to its new home in Franschhoek. Vintage wine-making equipment owned by the Back family is on display in the new venue, adding a museum-like element for visitors to enjoy. Placing great importance on sustainability, items from the farm such as barrels and wood chips have been repurposed to create lighting, furniture and design elements, fashioning a truly authentic look and feel to the new space.

The design and prime-positioning of the new cellar itself is something to behold. “One is often not privy to the heart of cellar action and that’s precisely what you’ll find here, a working winery with a majestic backdrop. One can even gaze directly into the cellar through the magnificent glass doors and is enveloped by the sights and sounds of daily winemaking life. The views are unparalleled and the wines stupendous”, says Backsberg’s Marketing Manager, Bianca Lenhardt.

In a move to cement Backsberg’s reputation as a crafter of fine wines the Kosher range has been re-positioned as Sydney Back Kosher Wines and has been brought to life in larger than life form on an exterior tank at the entrance to the brand home.

To complement your wine tasting experience, a selection of pairings, both sweet and savoury, as well as grazing-boards and picnics in the summer months are on offer. Expect delightful dishes infused with local flavours such as fynbos salt-infused crackers, waterblommetjie wontons, a seasonal salad jar, smoked snoek samosas, trout spring rolls and an exciting wine jelly pairing, to name a few.

The Backsberg family can’t wait to welcome you to taste their latest collection of wines, browse historical memorabilia and soak up the magic of the natural surroundings that envelop their new home.

Opening hours: 10h00 – 18h00 Wednesday to Sunday

Address: Backsberg Family Wines, Main Road R45, Franschhoek, 7690

Socials: @backsberg

July 1, 2022
Early birthday celebrations with SA’S oldest wine-producing farm

On the 13th of July, Cape Town’s iconic Groot Constantia Estate celebrates its 337th birthday, cementing its status as the oldest wine-producing farm in South Africa – and there is good reason to start celebrating early. Adding to the estate’s reputation of consistent quality is its much-lauded flagship wine, Grand Constance, which recently received the National Wine Challenge Special Award for Wine Consistency and the Grand Cru ‘Best in Class’ Award.

Groot Constantia’s world-famous wine continues to shine as it claims the spot with one of three wines in South Africa which have achieved more than seven top 100 positions annually, with Grand Constance leading the charge with 11 wins over a period of 12 years. To this day, Grand Constance undeniably remains the grand dame of sweet wines.

Hundreds of years ago, the wine produced at Groot Constantia began to receive international acclaim for its superior quality, and emperors and kings – such as Frederick the Great of Prussia, Napoleon and Louis Philippe (King of the French) – were all known to be great lovers of Groot Constantia wines (translated Grand Constance into the French) which also means“consistency”.

“The iconic Grand Constance wine that we produce at Groot Constantia is in effect the essence of the Estate. We are immensely proud of our Grand Constance, and humbled to be able to continue to produce this wine, and for it to consistently bring home awards. It is a 300-year-old legacy that we are custodians of, and the team strives to ensure that we interpret and honour it meticulously so that this special wine can continue to be appreciated on a world stage,” says Groot Constantia winemaker, Boela Gerber.

As a provincial heritage site and a living museum, Groot Constantia has always been one of Cape Town’s most important destinations and is a member of the Cape Town Big 6 tourist attractions. It is not hard to see why the estate is a favourite for locals and visitors alike – and has been for centuries.

Groot Constantia has been welcoming visitors to the estate for more than 300 years and has a long track record as a must-visit location in the Cape. In fact, 160 years ago, JP Cloete (the then owner of Groot Constantia), produced one of the earliest known tourist attraction adverts in South Africa, marketing Groot Constantia and giving detailed directions to the estate – making it the first-ever wine route map in SA. The advert also affirms Groot Constantia’s standing as the original source of the iconic Constantia Wines that have been celebrated across the world.

For the modern-day visitor – be it wine lovers, fun-seeking families, tourists, social explorers, or anyone looking for a memorable and unique location in the Cape – Groot Constantia offers a wonderful day out, immersed in a rich sense of history and wine culture, accompanied by gorgeous views and outdoor spaces, exceptional wines, delicious food and fun for the whole family.

The Estate offers a Visitors Route Experience that allows you to walk back in time by following a specially designed circular route that takes visitors to the historical key attractions at Groot Constantia. The original Manor House at Groot Constantia (which is an Iziko Museum) is the starting point for the Visitors Route Experience. After this, guests make their way to the famed Cloete Cellar, which is the original wine production cellar from 1791. This historic cellar was where the famous Grand Constance wine was produced, and now the cellar houses a museum and unique tasting room. Old carriages, winemaking memorabilia and a collection of old Grand Constance bottles sourced from all over the world are among the things to see in the Cloete Cellar Museum. After exploring the modern production cellar for a tour and wine tasting, visitors are then welcome to venture into the vineyards for the self-guided audio Vineyard Tour.

Groot Constantia has two top restaurants, Jonkershuis and Simon’s. Both have children’s menus and outdoor dining options. There is also free Wi-Fi at Groot Constantia, which covers an extensive area – including all of the buildings – making the enjoyment and exploration of the estate that much more fun as guests can share their experiences in real-time with friends and family across the world.

The estate is inviting all wine lovers and casual visitors to come and enjoy the 337-year-old Groot Constantia celebratory experience.

For more information visit www.grootconstantia.co.za or connect with Groot Constantia via social media on
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GrootConstantia.

*Sponsored post*

July 1, 2022
Millennial Pink and the Rise of Rosé
I recently entered the Veritas Young Wine Writers competition last year. Unfortunately, my entry was unsuccessful. However, I thought I’d share one of the two pieces I wrote for the competition with you. I have recently enrolled at UNISA to study a BA in Creative Writing to improve my craft as well as my chances of getting hired more frequently for freelance work in the industry. Please have a read, and let me know what you think in the comments.

Instagram is to Rosé what the Fairy Godmother was to Cinderella.

We live in a world of sensory overload. Everything is a meme, a moment, a tiktok, a story. But all it took was a simple hashtag and just one influencer to get something trending and relevant. That’s the story of how rosé magically transformed from ugly step-sister into rose gold queen.

Before 2017 rosé wine was a typically frowned-upon form of libation and seen as cheap and low quality. This all changed with millennials making the pink wine trend, specifically on social media.

Somehow pale pink rosé became an overnight sensation gaining traction as an ‘Instagrammable’ wine some may say a visually appealing prop for Instagram posts in the blazing summer heat.

Hashtags such as #rosé and #roseallday trended and suddenly became fashionable with many an establishment having to order their fair share of rosé far in advance for summer and in bulk to please many a millennial horde. It’s no surprise really that my fellow millennials took a serious liking to this now sophisticated pink wine with the generation making the hue culturally acceptable for all to wear and passively behold.

Annually, every second Saturday of June sees a full day dedicated to the celebration of rosé wine. The past five years we’ve seen a myriad social media posts using the blush pale pink wine to celebrate summer at their favourite wineries or quite simply at home with a homemade refreshingly cool ‘frosé’. Rosé put simply signifies the advent of long, hot balmy days.

So here’s what we can expect to see in 2020 and beyond:
- Yes way, rosé: As summer gets underway in the southern hemisphere, we start to see the apoplectic joy of hosting ‘Pinknics’. Where rosé simply calls for al fresco dining with your nearest and dearest in a divine setting.
- Yes we ‘can’: at the end of 2019 wine in cans are already set to become the next big thing in the wine industry and amongst the younger crowd that look to convenience.
- Yes to CBD: Like everything else, rosé will possibly get a modern cannabis-infused spin soon enough.
- Yes to lower alcohol and fewer calories: We’re all a little more health-conscious these days, instead of cutting out alcohol completely, going for something lighter is a great option for most.
Cheers to 2020! x
January 8, 2020
An Evening of Food and Wine Pairing at Kunjani Wine Estate

*Please note, Kunjani winery hosted me to attend the dinner, however, all views are my own*

I recently attended the very first wine and food pairing dinner at Kunjani wine estate in Stellenbosch. You may recall I was at their label launch earlier this year. The dinner consists of six courses and will be a regular occurrence at the boutique winery which will feature a fresh, seasonal menu with every dinner hosted by co-owner Pia Watermeyer.

The first course was a beetroot goat’s cheese salad, pistachio goat’s cheese balls, fig compote, grapefruit perfectly paired with the Kunjani Stolen Chicken Rosé 2018. It was quite a warm evening so this went down quite a treat! The second course, line fish, grilled artichoke, cauliflower puree, broccoli, pak choy, white wine chive sauce paired with an equally delicious Kunjani Chenin Blanc 2018.

The third course, was a refreshing palate cleanser of lemon sorbet to prepare us for the next course which was North-West Kudu carpaccio, quail eggs, horseradish, parmesan shavings, radish, pickled vegetables paired with my personal favourite, Kunjani Shiraz 2015. Next was an incredibly delicious biltong-spiced sirloin, king oyster mushrooms, carrot & cauliflower quenelles, asparagus, broccoli paired superbly with the Kunjani Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Dessert always being my favourite course, was a chocolate-mint nougat mousse, pistachio crumbs, frozen yoghurt, and a brandy snap paired with the Kunjani Merlot 2017.

The dinner costs R550 per person, including wine and gratuity.
Bookings essential, prepayment secures your seat. Limited to 30 guests.

Note: bookings are subject to availability. Cancellations 7 days or less prior to the date of the dinner are non-refundable. T&Cs apply. This is a special event and due to space restrictions long/mixed tables are allocated and not individual tables. To book your spot for the next dinner call: +27 87 630 0409, or email: info@kunjaniwines.co.za For more information visit their Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/Kunjaniwines/

Thank you Kunjani for graciously hosting my husband and me, we can’t wait to be back again soon!

December 4, 2019
The 2019 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10

Last week I had the privilege of attending the FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 at the tallest skyscraper in Cape Town, the FNB Portside Building. 2019 being the first year I am attending my very first wine awards gala, excitement leading up to the day was palpable. I was invited to attend as media and brought my husband along as my plus 1, he ended up striking up new connections with a few winemakers, whilst I mingled and caught up with a few of the industry’s best. The evening was glamorous with lots of the participants Sauvignon Blanc flowing from table to table.

The Top 10 were drawn from a broad collection of entries this year, with 107 producers submitting 183 wines. The country’s diverse wine growing regions were well represented with five out of the six regions in the Western Cape delivering at least one wine in the top 20. A total of 12 of the top 20 wines were from the 2019 vintage, confirming the overall industry consensus that this year was an outstanding year for Sauvignon Blanc.

In alphabetical order, this year’s top 10:

. Cederberg Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Wooded)

·         Diemersdal Winter Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Du Toitskloof Land’s End Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Wooded)

·         Groote Post Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Wooded)

·         Lomond Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Merwida Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Spier Ideology Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Wooded)

·         Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Wooded)

Wine lovers will be able to acquire the 2019 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 collection via Wine of the Month Club. For more information, email admin@sauvignonblanc.com.

A technical seminar based on this year’s performance will take place on Wednesday 20 November in Franschhoek. For more information or to become a member, visit www.sauvignonblanc.com or call 021 975 4440.

October 18, 2019