Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Natural beauty and wine farms, Franschhoek

After Bastille, we took some time to relax in comfort at Basse Provence and enjoy the scenery








and visit a few wine producers, starting with Boekenhoutskloof


where Innocent Mpahleni looked after us


and we had a chat with Marc Kent


Then a visit to Holden Manz (formerly Klein Genot)


where Hanri Marais and her colleague, "the back room girls"


and Guy Kidian 


looked after us and introduced us to Gerard ("Big G") and Migo, the owners


Then a spot of lunch at the Salmon Bar

































after which we visited Jean-Philippe Colmant at MCC producer, Colmant, who gave us a very generous amount of his time and delicious tastes of his wine





Franschhoek Bastille celebration

We went on Sunday, which was very civilised, although the music was a bit loud. 
We were told that Saturday was a maelstrom of enthusiastic consumption
We started with tastes of bubbly from Boschendal, Topiary and Graham Beck


Oysters from Wild peacock, pancakes from the Hospice and venison Bitterballen from Le Quartier Francaise


The best value lunch came from Mont Rochelle


There was amusement for all ages


The barrel rolling race was a popular diversion

and there were plenty of other things to enjoy



Neil Jewell showed his delicious cured meats
Nicole from Glenwood with their delicious chardonnay


































Solms Delta attracted a crowd of enthusiasts
after a most enjoyable day.