Tasting wines and ports at Axe Hill, Calitzdorp

Axe Hill vines ready to burst into bud

Mike Neebe, the owner, in the vineyard

Parked in the emerging spring flowers with a view over Calitzdorp

Axe Hill cellar

An old Mutual trophy for the port and a few other reminders and artefacts in the cellar

Consistently getting five stars in John Platter over the years for the ports

Some 2012 Souzao maturing in the barrel

And some of the 2012 Shiraz

And Tinta Barocca

Having a taste of what’s in the tank

Barrels resting in the cellar

Mike using his wine thief so we can taste some of the 2009 Cape Vintage Port

A few bottles that have been enjoyed and compared in the past

Look at the intense colour of this port – we think it is going to win awards in time

Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012

Franschhoek Uncorked on Sunday

The tasting room at Noble Hill - the first farm on the Franschhoek route

Cosecha is the Mexican themed restaurant at Noble Hill with tables on the terrace and a great view towards Paarl

The tasting counter at Leopard's Leap

The selection of wines for tasting on Sunday

Liam Tomlin's demo kitchen at Leopard's Leap - we hear that he's returning to Cape Town

The perfect table for demo dining

Leopard's Leap's very interesting sculpture, one of several sculptures by Dylan Lewis

Maison's restaurant is in a converted early 20th Century house with hand carved seat and a small table in front to enjoy the wines

The back lawn in front of the vineyards has some superb large tables for family and friend gatherings and a huge swing

Lynne placing the order on the lovely open verandah

Glass doors enclose the restaurant in cooler weather.

The menu

and the daily specials

Truly free range chickens roam the gardens - probably just as pets

A delicious, sharp and tangy Amuse of wild sorrel soup, cucumber and alfalfa sprout sorbet. Our first indication of the chef’s good palate

Starters, which we shared:

Foie gras liver parfait, green apple and olive purée, satsuma and sultana chutney, basil at R85. The leaves were deep fried and crisp

Meltingly tender baby squid, fried briefly with a crisp outer coating, served with pink salt and a tiny salad. R70

Our main courses:

John’s main course of a whole sliced duck breast, sweet potato purée, caramelised red cabbage, carrots, mange tout, albufera jus at R140

Lynne could not resist the Ox tongue. pommes anna, pepperonata. sofrito, parsley, mustard jus ,at R125, and was intrigued to find a new way of serving it. A thick slice of it cut from tip to end that had been deep fried and was crisp on the outside and tender within. A good pepperonata to top and very al dente vegetables below with a square of pommes anna, large enough to share with John.

A wall of logs - a great backdrop for two ladies lunching

All ages welcome

A dispute in the vineyard - pied crow vs raptor

Perfect al fresco dining

The Pass, where they prepare and approve the plates. The kitchen is behind this

The chef, Arno Janse van Rensburg

Imaginative use of bottles as lights

The renovated tasting room at La Bri

Irene Waller - GM and winemaker

We enjoyed tasting the 2011 Viognier

Hesmari de Ridder handles the PR at La Bri

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012

Seductive Sauvignons at the Vineyard with Wine Concepts

Chris Rawbone-Viljoen (Axe Hill), Robbie Gower (Welbedacht) and Sarah Revell (Vinimark)

John Collins with Jeanette Bruwer and Kyle Martin on the Springfield table

Wine Concepts directors Mike Bampfield-Duggan and Corlien Morris handing out lucky draw prizes

A good crowd of enthusiastic tasters and a cheerful Arnold Vorster of Graham Beck

John with Dave Nel, La Colombe sommelier

Jennifer Holmes (Cape Point Vineyards) with Dave Nel

Jennifer Holmes in deep discussion with Kevin Grant of Ataraxia

John Collins and Renée Bampfield-Duggan

Renée & Mike Bampfield-Duggan

Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012