While we were travelling in the UK, we were sent an invitation by Jared Ruttenberg, Travel Writer, Content Creator and Tour Guide, (@jaredincpt) to take part in the second annual Constantia Winemaker's Quiz. We were allowed to choose which one of the winemakers we would support and picked Roger Burton of Constantia Royale. It sounded like it might be quite fun. It was to be held early evening at Groot Constantia in their large tasting room
Each team had to have a theme, we were told the night before
Boela Gerber Cellarmaster of Groot Constantia came as Napoleon in a very authentic costume!
They had laid on platters of cheeses, olives, patés and chutneys
Each wine farm had its Sauvignon Blanc on a barrel in the vineyard for us to taste. Wine Merchant Wade Bales ....
... had his Constantia Blend, a blend of wines from most of the Constantia farms
We walked up through the vines to the top of a small hill with a view of Table Mountain behind and the sea in front
We were to gather in our costumes with our winemakers and enjoy the wines and the evening
Our team theme, chosen the night before, was rather predictably Royalty as we were supporting Constantia Royale
You can just see Lynne in her Royal purple. There is a wicked witch in front from the Silvermist team
Our team leader, winemaker Roger Burton of Constantia Royale,
sporting his home made crown which had some of his entire fortune decorating it
Greg Landman with Boela “Napoleon” Gerber
Brad Paton, cellarmaster at Buitenverwachting, in his Western cowboy outfit; his T shirt certainly presaged things to come
Some farm girls began to join him
Winemakers Duran Cornhill of Eagle’s Nest and Matt Day of Klein Constantia
Groot Constantia’s healthy vines, just beginning to flower
Group photos to tweet were popular
Jared gets us organised
and tells us what will happen next
The group shot of the winemaker team heads
Back row: Matt Day (Klein Constantia), Boela Gerber (Groot Constantia), Gregory Brink Louw (Silvermist), Justin van Wyk (Constantia Glen),Johann De Swardt (Steenberg)
Middle: Megan van der Merwe (Beau Constantia), Roger Burton (Constantia Royale)
Front: Duran Cornhill (Eagle’s Nest), Brad Paton (Buitenverwachting), Danna de Jongh (Constantia Uitsig)
Time for the quiz to start, so we all marched down the hill again to the Tasting Room
And took our places at pre-arranged tables
The trophy!
Dinner after the quiz was hamburgers for everyone
During the quiz we could drink other wines of the Constantia valley, which were available on the bar
Of course, they have a great selection of Cap Classique bubblies
Quizmaster was Jared Ruttenberg who read us the clues. It was a very noisy riotous evening with very enthusiastic teams
and rather a lot of wine. Sometimes it was impossible to hear the clues, let alone one's own team coming up with an answer
The team led by Justin van Wyk of Constantia Glen was the winner of the quiz. They knew so much more than any other team!
Cup cake desserts before departure
All content © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
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