Thursday, December 04, 2014

Summer Festival at Jordan wine estate, Stellenbosch

This may not be a large festival, they sell just enough tickets to completely fill the car parking but it was one of the most enjoyable and relaxed of the year. Jordan asked people to donate dog food, blankets, bowls, etc., which they were collecting for the Border Collie Rescue, PETS and Animal Welfare, all of which are close to Kathy Jordan’s heart. Over the years they have collected blankets and pet food at their event, which have all been donated to the three charities. Food and wine was sold and all the profits they made on the day went to this worthy charity. This year they collected R7000 on the day. The 2014 Winter Charity drive saw them collect almost 5 tonnes of clothing, food & blankets, which was delivered weekly to several churches, night shelters and recognised charities in their community. In addition to that they received generous donations for Stellenbosch Animal Welfare.

We picnicked under the trees or on the lawn, enjoyed the tasting stations which had a R15 canape to match each wine, the lovely view, music and weather, chatted to almost everyone on the farm, ate delicious food prepared by chef George Jardine and sipped lovely Jordan wine with lunch. They had boules and croquet, vineyard and cellar tours, a blending completion, childrens’ jumping castle and a lucky ticket draw, where Lynne won one of the prizes.
Beside the lake, beneath the trees...
Gary Jordan, master builder, wine maker, geologist and farm owner. He has nearly finished building guest cottages on the farm, but told us to hit him over the head with a cricket bat if he ever mentions starting another building project! It will be worth it, Gary
One of the tasting stations, with some asparagus canapés to buy with your vouchers and the Sauvignon Blanc to taste with them
Brendan Butler, his new wife and chef George Jardine. Brendan was a winemaker here and has now gone to work at Mount Vernon, after a stint at Nitida
A nice photograph taken of us by Chef George Jardine. We normally get one a year!
George and his wife Louise with our pulled pork sandwich with Dukkah slaw and artichoke cream. De..lisch..ous!
Soft familiar music played by Gabriele von Durckheim (flute),  Kerryn Torrance (violin) and Peter Narun (guitar)
Cathy Jordan with marketing manager Thea van der Merwe
Cathy and Gary Jordan
Winemaker Sjaak Nelson
Announcing the winners of the Blending competition
And they receive their prize
Gary announces the results
Drawing the lucky numbers
Aged Chalmar rump steak or Pulled pork, both on wood fired ciabatta on the braai
Everyone was too chilled for games
Picnics on the edge of the lake
A nice surprise, free Panna Cotta with strawberry compote and honeycomb and a glass of Mellifera Natural Sweet 2013
The newly finished conference centre
The chardonnay barrel cellar
The Vinoteque
Perhaps a little too much sun for a Scotsman?
A cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay to end the day?
The house on the hill of vines
Late afternoon heat in the Stellenbosch Kloof
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014

No comments: