Looking for a wine-tasting experiences with a difference? These farms pair their wines with olives, biltong, chocolate and more!
Laborie
Laborie is set in the beautiful Paarl Valley, surrounded by the Paarl and Drakenstein Mountains. The farm has been producing fine wines since 1698, and is one of the oldest operational wine farms in South Africa.
The Devine Choc and Wine pairing (R35) includes Laborie MCC Rosé with Milk Rose Geranium Chocolate, Laborie Chardonnay with While Lemon Verbena Chocolate and Pineau de Laborie with White Plum and Vanilla Chocolate.
Try also:
Tasting of 5 wines R25
Olive and wine R30
Choc and wine obsession R35
For these wine-tasting experiences, you can choose to sit under the trees on the lawn, in the tasting room (air-conditioned in summer and heated by a cosy fire in winter) or on the balcony, where the views of the vineyard and Paarl Rock are especially breathtaking.
If you’d prefer not to drive the short 45 minutes back to Cape Town, you can stay over in the Cape French-style accommodation, where a standard room is R585 per person sharing. The Harvest restaurant, run by Executive Chef Matthew Gordon and Head Chef Shirene Patrick, offers gorgeous dishes.
Laborie currently produces outstanding red, white and rosé wines, as well as its Pineau de Laborie fortified wine and Alambic Brandy, which has won various international awards. Especially noteworthy are the Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines, namely the Laborie Blanc de Blancs, Laborie Brut and Laborie Brut Rosé.
Although the quality of all Laborie products is unquestionable, the prices are very accessible, ranging from R30 to R190 per bottle.
Address: Taillefer Street, Paarl
Contact: 021 807 3390, info@laboriewines.co.za
Info: http://laboriewines.co.za
Durbanville Hills
Durbanville Hills is a very quick 20 minutes from Cape Town, and offers a spectacular view of Table Mountain and Table Bay with its wine-tasting experiences.
The Biltong and Wine pairing (R80) includes Durbanville Hills Merlot Rosè with Beef Sticks, Rhinofields Pinotage with Kudu Biltong, Durbanville Hills Bastion Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz with Beef Chutney Sticks, Durbanville Hills Shiraz with Beef Droëwors Biltong and Durbanville Hills Chardonnay with Chilli Chicken Biltong.
Try also:
General Tasting R40 (including souvenir wine glass)
Chocolate and Wine R60
The farm produces wonderful red, white and rosé wines. Don’t miss the Durbanville Hills 2012 Rhinofields Chardonnay, which was recently named one of the Top 10 in the world at the 2014 Chardonnay du Monde held in France.
Address: On the M13, between Burgundy Estate and Nieuw Maastrecht, Durbanville
Contact: 021 558 1300, info@durbanvillehills.co.za
Info: http://durbanvillehills.co.za
Van Loveren
Van Loveren, the largest family-owned winery in the country, is situated in the valley between Robertson and Bonnievale.
The Nougat and Nuts pairing (R40) includes the Van Loveren Pinot Grigio, Van Loveren Blanc de Noir Shiraz, Van Loveren Merlot and Van Loveren Special Late Harvest paired with a variety of nougats and nuts.
Try also:
Cheese and Wine R40
Christina R40
Non-alcoholic R40
Kids R25
Wine and Charcuterie R40
Wine and Chocolate R40
Four Cousins Fan R40
Van Loveren produces six wine brands, namely Van Loveren, Christina van Loveren, Papillon, Tangled Tree, Five’s Reserve and Four Cousins – all with good-value prices.
Its tasting area has had a recent makeover, and you can now sip wine next to a relaxing Koi pond. Don’t miss a walk through the glorious garden; many of the trees were planted to commemorate special occasions and historical events.
Address: R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale
Contact: 023 61 51505, tastings@vanloveren.co.za
Info: www.vanloveren.co.za
This post first appeared on Good Housekeeping on 4 April 2014
