Rhino Tripping, the tour division of Rhino Africa, launched its first educational this past weekend. And what better place to begin than with the Cape’s finest fruits in the Winelands?
Departing work rather early on a Friday afternoon, a true Capetonian tradition, we set off for Franschhoek and its feast of culinary tradition and history of winemaking. After a night in the classy Le Franschhoek and an excess of wine and liqeur, we somehow managed to rustle ourselves up the next morning for a full-day tour of the Winelands.
Soon the dark glasses and dreary-eyed hangovers faded away to be replaced with a great cacophony of noise and excitement as the wine flowed like honey – and much merriment ensued! Nicci Brand led the way with her antics and soon enough night and day seemed to have blended into one and we were back where we started. I know you know what I mean.
First up, we drove from our hotel to Dieu Donne, one of Franschhoek’s most famous vineyards. It means God’s Gift for those with a limited understand of the language of love, and their wines did turn out to be something of a religious experience, even for the atheists among us! With panoramic views of the valley from their rooftop restaurant, I really could not imagine a more scenic setting from which to indulge one’s palate. And indulge we did, sampling their excellent champagne – called the Method Cap de Classique, not champagne mind you, due to a certain snobbishness on the part of the French. But they were the first winegrowers in the region so we forgive them. Just about.
Next up was Lanzerac Manor, a wonderful hotel outside Stellenbosch, where we enjoyed an extensive cellar tour, thought about buying a barrel of their finest but then thought better of it. The Pinotage, a uniquely South African vintage, was top-class and after a few tastings we reconsidered the barrels. Sadly, they were not for sale. We bought the bottles instead.
Fairview was up next and had us all in stitches with its variety of Goat-inspired wines – from the Goats do Roam to the Goatfather and Bored Doe. Our tasting here was paired with an excellent selection of cheeses – Camembert, Brie, Cheddar, Goats Milk Cheese and a selection so stinky and delicious even a Frenchman would have turned up his nose! With some excellent specials too, we do recommend buying a spot of wine and cheese here, and perhaps even a goat!
To finish off a day of decadence and debauchery, our two superb guides and sober drivers Graham and Carel ferried us to Seidelberg, atop a hill with superlative views of the rolling hills and vineyards below. By this time, it was becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish the different vintages though we put on a brave face, swirled around our glasses and nodded in unison. It was probably better that way.
Having significantly boosted the annual income of the Winelands and our own collections, with many laughs behind us, we returned to Cape Town, drunk and deadbeat but happy.
