Kunjani held a celebration to celebrate their new branding as well as the 50th Birthday of one of the owners, Paul Barth, last week and we were invited. Paul comes from the Rheingau wine region of Germany and both his father and grandfather were winemakers. As a child, he helped with the harvest every year, so coming to South Africa and establishing his own wine brand on his own “piece of heaven” was a dream come true. Paul Barth & Pia Watermeyer, husband-and-wife team and owners of Kunjani, welcomed us with the greeting Kunjani - which is isiXhosa for "How are you?". The farm has a winery, a restaurant, and 5 self catering villas and is in the Devon Valley.
They are up on the Bottelary Hills and have wonderful views out over the vineyards and winelands
Doyen of the wine industry, Francois Naude with photographer Danie Nel - who doesn't often get into shot
Having fun with Kathy Brewer of Villiera Wine Estate
We gathered in the restaurant/tasting room and on its terrace
Kathy Brewer with Mary-Lou Nash of Black Pearl - they are both Cape Wine Masters
PRO Zelda Furstenburg welcomes us, tells us about Kunjani and runs through the details of the day
Owners Paul Barth & Pia Watermeyer, husband-and-wife team. They met at a friends wedding and it was an instant connection, despite Paul's very limited command of the English language. Pia, a successful businesswoman in her own right, was not easily won over by this charming German. It took months of Paul getting friends to type messages in English to this enchanting woman. Pia’s zest for life and infectious energy soon turned Paul's second home, South Africa, into his first. Pia is learning how to make the wines
Hearing the story of Kunjani which has been open since November 2017. Winemaker Carmen Stevens, is responsible for creating Kunjani’s wines. Carmen has a foundation that has raised over two million rand to feed hungry school children in the Peninsula School Feeding scheme. Sadly she was unable to be there for the celebration. Carmen uses Kunjani’s own shiraz grapes and sources other varieties used in the farm’s wines
Pia with chef Lamek Mnisi, who has been at the helm of the Kunjani kitchen since it’s opening. He was under great pressure as the whole area was under a severe power cut and he was producing the canapes for the function
The five Kunjani wines were available for tasting on three tables. There are two white wines, a 2018 Sauvignon Blanc grown in Paarl and a 2018 Chenin Blanc from grapes grown in Paarl and Wellington
Three red wines to taste. Kunjani has only 2½ hectares under vine, all shiraz. A dark wooded 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon full of cassis and grown in the area and a 2015 Shiraz grown on the farm which has incense wood and spice on the nose. Soft and sweet black cherries, berries, spice, licorice and salt on the palate. The 2017 Merlot has blue gum mint and incense wood, fresh fruit acidity and a finish of dark toasted wood. Also from the Devon Valley area.
Small pies were on offer
Ina Smith tasting the wines. She so ably runs the Chenin Blanc Association
Here Ina is with Philip van Zyl, Editor of the annual John Platter Wine Guide
The 2018 Stolen Chicken Rosé, made from 98% Shiraz and 2% Merlot from bought in grapes, grown in the Stellenbosch area
More canapés
A sight of the new labels with two hands doing a fist bump
Smoked salmon and cream cheese on small blinis
Samoosas with a dip
Belly of pork with fruit
Meatballs topped with cheese
Dessert was mini malva puddings in custard
All content © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
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