40th Anniversary Lunch and Tasting at Meerlust

How to describe this classic Cape Dutch wine farm in the Helderberg? Owned by charming Hannes Myburgh, who prefers to keep rather a low profile, the award winning iconic wines are made by Chris Williams and shepherded into the cellar by viticulturist Roelie Joubert. Guests are shepherded to the tasting room by the ten friendly dogs, who have the most wonderful life on the farm. We were privileged to have lunch on Friday in the beautiful lived-in Manor house, which is filled to bursting with art, antiquities and curiosities. We had a marvellous Cape country lunch and a tasting of great vintages of Meerlust Cabernet and Rubicon, starting with the first ever vintage, made in 1975. And, yes, it has lasted, as we expected

We also visited the Compagniesdrift wine storage and bottling facility next door, which Is the Myburgh Family Trust Social Responsibility investment in their staff. The companies involved, MWT Investments and Faure AgriVillage, are jointly owned (50% each) by the Myburgh Family Trust and the Meerlust Empowerment Trust, which is comprised of 72 people who have long-standing relationships with the Meerlust, Vriesenhof and Ken Forrester farms in the area

Meerlust means Pleasure of the Sea. It was founded in 1693 by German immigrant Henning Huising and this national monument has been farmed by the Myburgh family since 1756The cellar was built in 1776 and was originally the estate's carriage house

Like many Cape Farms there is still a slave bell

The manor house is in the typical Gabled Cape Dutch style

The beautifully crafted front door with one of the welcoming dogs

Hannes Myburgh with his dogs. Hannes is the eighth generation Myburgh custodian of Meerlust

Catching up with the other members of the media

Then it was time for our visit to Compagniesdrift next door to the farm

The entrance belies what awaits inside, which is vast

Marketing Manager Eddie Turner introduces us to Ilse Ruthford, who is the Managing Director of Compagniesdrift, which is a Black Empowerment business funded by the Myburgh family Trust, Standard Bank and the Land Reform and Development Programme of the Dept of Land Affairs. The companies involved are jointly owned (50%) by the Myburgh Family Trust and the Meerlust Workers Trust

She explained to us what they do and how it benefits the staff who are members of the company. They have 53 wineries who store wine there, with 2.3 million bottles there currently. The facility is open to local wine producers and offers cost effective alternatives to those who do not have their own storage, bottling or labelling facilities or require transportation of their wine over long distances.

It is a modern, secure and temperature controlled facility. This is the bottling line

It is very clean and tidy

We were interested to see the wine labels of the many companies who use the facility

Bottles awaiting labelling. These are bottles of one of The Foundry wines, Chris Williams, Meerlust winemaker's own label

The vast storage area

Relabelling can also be arranged. Here, specific back labels for export destinations are applied by hand

Cases awaiting export

Going to many different countries

A smaller mobile bottling plant was in operation at Meerlust on our return. To keep the "Estate" designation, Meerlust wines are still bottled on the farm

Back to the family manor house for lunch

Comfortable sofas 

suitable for the dogs

Winemaker Chris Williams welcomes us and talks about the six wines we are about to taste and who made them. It was Hannes' father Nico Myburgh who first planted Bordeaux varieties in the late 1960's

from left to right: Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 1975 , Meerlust Rubicon 1987, Meerlust Cabernet 1991, Meerlust Rubicon 1991, Meerlust Cabernet 2009, Meerlust Rubicon 2009

The 1975 has lasted so well. It is silky soft on the palate with stewed plums, good soft tannins and a hint of violets and sandalwood. All the wines impressed, especially the two 1991s, and the 2009 Cabernet shone. The 2009 Rubicon is gathering its skirts for a long, long life. If you can find any, buy it to keep.

We were delighted that the previous winemaker Giorgio Dalla Cia joined us for the tasting and lunch and he gave us lots of insight into the past wines. He described the 2009 Rubicon as resembling La Tour, high praise indeed

Hannes with one of his lads

Attention! This African dog has lots and lots of personality and life

We were amused to remind Chris Williams at a few years ago he was one of the wild children in the wine world, changing wine making processes and thinking. Today its the young from the Swartland who are going in other directions and pushing the limits

Tasting, discussing, tweeting. A very gemütliche tasting and lunch

Giorgio Dalla Cia, was winemaker at Meerlust from 1978. Chris joined as a wine and viticulture graduate in 1995 and stayed for six vintages, when he left to go to Delaire for more experience. He says Giorgio was his mentor and tormentor!

He returned in 2004 to make his first vintage of the Rubicon. Chris also makes his own wine The Foundry

The line up of bottles we tasted

Time to move into the large farm kitchen for lunch

Meerlust also make a delicious wooded, buttery but crisp (4 star in Platter) Chardonnay, which we drank with lunch. They also produce a Merlot and a Pinot Noir. All the red wines get 4.5 stars in Platter this year except the 2010 Rubicon which gets 5

It was self service from the huge pots of lamb bredie on the stove

A very traditional Cape pot of sweet potatoes cooked in brown sugar. Yes, not very good for one, but absolutely delicious with meat dishes

The huge lamb and potato 'Potjie"(Trans. small pot!) Yes, almost everyone had two full plates

Love me please

Two more vintages of Rubicon were opened and served with lunch. You need to give this wine time and it is so rewarding. As close as South Africa has to a Bordeaux blend

The cooks kitchen

Hannes has his priorities right. Thank you for a marvellous experience, both wine and food. And the dogs

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015

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The relaunch of Casa Labia in Muizenberg

This beautiful house, filled with treasures, is owned by the Labia family and has been used as a museum for several years. It was returned to the family by the state after several years in the shadows. They have now restored it perfectly and on Thursday evening we rushed from the Klink Awards to the relaunch of the house and the opening of the new restaurant and function venue, which will be run by Andrea Foulkes of Dish Food and Catering. With a huge fire raging on the mountain in Simonstown, we did not rate our chances of getting there on time, but the trip down the M5 was fast and seamless at 6.30 pm. The good news is that the road repairs outside Casa Labia have now been completed

Count Natalia Labia (1877 – 1936) was the Italian Ambassador to South Africa in the last century. He married Ida, daughter of the mining pioneer Sir J.B. Robinson and this was the home that they built in Muizenberg

 "It was also the Italian Legation, the official residence of Italy’s diplomatic representative in South Africa. As such it had to be essentially Italian in style and character. In particular it was to reflect the spirit of 18th century Venice, it was to be a Cape version of the Palazzo Labia"

Event organiser and PRO Ian Manley welcoming a guest on the Portico

The views over False Bay are magnificent, especially in the evening

And you can visit by train

Gardens are on the side of the house

Getting drinks on the back patio

A beautiful bougainvillea

Canapés were circulating

Tiny empanadas with a dip

Or you could graze from the Italian inspired buffet

Count Luccio Labia (son of Count Natale Labia) regained ownership of the property, and it was with assistance from his daughter, Antonia Labia (seen here) that the house was lovingly restored to its original glory

She told us that the house will now function as a breakfast lunch and tea time restaurant and also as a multi function venue for hire

Lovely evening light

Canapés topped with artichokes

Parma ham wrapped asparagus

The formal dining room dressed for a banquet

The table had some sensational flower arrangements and the house was also filled with flowers

Rare beef canapés

One of the many beautiful pieces of art

Upstairs is the Print Gallery that contains the eclectic and interesting print collection of Peter Clarke and his friends

There was much interest in the prints

There was a copious amount of food and it kept coming

The magnificent Parma ham was sliced and served on request

Dessert was two huge 5kg slabs of dark and milk Callebaut chocolate, from which you could chip off chunks, with cherries and strawberries and some tiramisu in glasses

Many people sat on the terraces to eat their supper and enjoy the wine on offer

And on departure we were each allowed a choice of chocolate to take home

The road at night. Time to go home

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015

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Presentation of Klink Awards at De Grendel, Durbanville

The awards focus on what wine farms have to offer visitors other than the wine. The awards were held on the terrace with those marvellous views of the city at De Grendel wine farm last Thursday evening. Wesgro have come on board as sponsors, we hope the association continues for a long time.

"Out of its 17 categories ... the best performing category, with 1512 votes, was the Gourmet. It awards the best cellar-door restaurant that is set in a great location, offers first class service, focuses on artisanal foods, has a sommelier service and wine list with older vintages, own wines and other regional wines. Among Klink’s 77 nominees across its 17 categories, the overall Supernova (or nominee with the most votes) was De Grendel. It took first place in both its category (the Gourmet) as well as overall, receiving 634 votes, beating La Colombe and Waterkloof to the true-blue foodie post".

The view from De Grendel's terrace to Table Mountain

Enjoying the early evening on the terrace, wondering who has won an award

Some innovative canapés were served. Crisp dehydrated red onion slices topped with herb cream cheese and a slice of dried preserved fig

Tiny bite sized mushroom quiches with melt in the mouth pastry

Delicious duck spring rolls with a sweet chilli dipping sauce

Our lively MC for the evening was Canadian Jennifer Sanasie. Jennifer is a presenter and producer at News24.com live

Water for the thirsty

The Awards are announced

Speech from Sponsor Wesgro’s CEO Tim Harris

and from Sir De Villiers Graaff, owner of De Grendel

Monika Elias, who owns and convenes the Klink Awards, begins the award announcements

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015

The Awards 

1. The Crowd Pleaser,  Award for Best Wine Route Event

This award goes to the most popular wine route event on the annual Winelands calendar - an event that draws repeat visitors year after year, helps to build a regional wine brand and market a specific wine route destination

Winner: Season of Sauvignon - Durbanville

2. The Happy Times,  Award for Most Memorable Wine Route

This award goes to the most popular wine route selected by wine tourists who cherish memories of their experience of a particular wine region because of its ambience, accessibility, scenic beauty, soul, sense of community, family tradition and heritage, warmth, friendliness, culinary offerings, etc. These criteria all go into the memory mix.

Winner: Franschhoek Wine Valley

3. The Wild Card, Award for Most Unusual Attraction on a Wine Route

Celebrating the most unusual and memorable attraction on a wine farm, this award is for a destination that offers a unique selling point attracting wine tourists to the cellar-door, from wine and river cruises to vintage motorcar and heritage museums.

Winner: Franschhoek Wine Tram

4. The Family Day Out, Award for Best Child-Friendly Venue on a Wine Farm 

This award goes to a wine farm where you can take the whole family and the kids are safe. There must be something for everyone here. The adults can relax and enjoy their wine experience while a kids' menu, special kids' activities or a kids’ playground for all ages keeps everyone happy on a day out in the Winelands.

Winner: Dunstone

5. The Connoisseur, Award for Best Vintage Tasting Experience

This award goes to the cellar which offers the best vintage wine tasting experience. Criteria include the welcome and wine knowledge of staff, the use of the correct glasses, the condition of wine samples, the range of vintage wine releases available, the availability of vertical flights of flagship wines and the range of unique wines available at cellar door only.

Winner: Waterford Wine Estate

6. The Heritage,  Award for Welcoming Cellar Door Experience

This award acknowledges a family wine farm that offers the warmest country welcome. One that retains the authenticity of its Cape heritage while investing in a cellar-door experience and goes out of its way to make a visit to the cellar door a special experience - making wine tourists feel they are sharing in the special family heritage of the farm and the Winelands

Winner: Groot Constantia Wine Estate

7. The 'Tread Gently,  Award for Most Green Wine Farm

The wine farm that sets the standard for green, planet-friendly farming practices in terms of sustainable viticulture and wine production, biodiversity and conservation initiatives, as well as organic or biodynamic viticulture is celebrated with this award.

Winner: Waterkloof Wine Estate

8. The Delicious Deli,  Award for Best Deli on a Wine Farm

These days, cellar-door delis sell all manner of goodies: estate olives and olive oils, artisanal breads, cheeses and charcuterie, boutique chocolates and nougat, organic vegetables, farm honey, jams, pickles and picnic baskets. This award recognises the top cellar-door deli, one that tempts wine tourists with an authentic range of traditional and contemporary Winelands produce grown on the farm or sourced locally from artisanal producers.

Winner: Lanzerac Wine Estate

9. The Comfort Zone,  Award for Casual Dining on a Wine Farm 

This award goes to the best casual dining or café style venues in the Cape Winelands. The best venue combines quality fare, setting and service without all the frills of silver service. We were looking for venues that source local, artisanal farm produce and showcase good food and wine in an informal, relaxed style as well as offer value-for-money on own wines and wines served by the glass.

Winner: Towerbosch Earth Kitchen (Knorhoek Wine Farm)

10. The Beyond Expectations,  Award for Great Food and Excellent Wine

Situated between our Klink Awards for casual dining-style, country cuisine and fine dining, this award is for a Winelands restaurant in the mid-price category that serves seriously good food and excellent wine, attracting foodies by raising the bar and presenting local garden and Winelands produce with passion and contemporary culinary style.

Winner: Lust Bistro and Bakery

11. The 'Gourmet', Award for Best Gourmet Restaurant on a Wine Farm 

This award goes to the best of the best cellar-door restaurants in the Cape Winelands - those gastronomic destinations with signature chefs who create cuisine on the cutting edge to attract domestic and foreign wine tourists. We were looking for restaurants which pay great attention to detail in terms of an overall cellar-door experience, have a great location, first class service, a focus on artisanal and local Winelands produce, seasonal menus, tasting menus which expertly pair food and wine, a sommelier service and a wine list which showcases older vintages, own wines and/or regional wines at the cellar door.

Winner: De Grendel Wines

12. The Yin and Yang, Award for Best Food and Wine Pairing at the Cellar Door

These days cellar doors tempt wine tourists with special food and wine pairings at the cellar tasting centre - from biltong, nuts, dried fruits and wine to cheese, chocolate, and nougat and gourmet canapé tasting platters. We went looking for the best Winelands experiences in the art of food and wine pairing over the tasting counter. Note:  This category excludes formal restaurant pairing menus.

Winner: Creation Wine

13. The Spoil Me,  Award for Best Luxury Accommodation on a Wine Farm

This award goes to the best of the best, from exclusive five star hotels, luxury guest house, boutique style accommodation or Cape Manor House on a wine farm. Criteria include the highest standards in terms of location, style, service, quality and comfort, facilities, and add on attractions such as a restaurant or spa.

Winner: Jordan Wine Estate

14. The Country Comfort,  Award for Accommodation on a Wine Farm

The winner of this category offers self-catering accommodation on a wine farm that promises a relaxed and comfortable stay. The winning venue will capture the romance of a wine farm getaway and offer the facilities of home but the luxury of going away.

Winner: Le Pommier Wine Estate

15. The New Release Award,  Award for the Best New Cellar Door Attractions

The winner of this category has launched a new winery or Winelands experience in the last 12 months. This award is for a new wine farm offering or experience, a new wine farm, restaurant or accommodation that adds to the full South African wine tourism offering.

Winner: Beau Constantia Wine Farm

16. The Tracks and Trails Award,  Award for Outdoor Vineyard Adventures

This award goes to the most memorable outdoors experience that requires wine lovers to expend some energy on a spectacularly scenic vineyard hike, a challenging wine farm bike trail or a spirited wine route horse ride. Each outdoor adventure must also reward the hiker, biker or rider with a wine tasting experience or more.

Winner: Van Loveren for their MTB trails

17. On The Hop,  Award for Best Craft Beer Experience On A Wine Farm 

Craft beer made at microbreweries on wine routes is a growing global trend. Winemakers are fermenting cool new beers bottled under quirky labels which boost their portfolio of cellar-door experiences, help attract a broader range of consumers and build their brand. After tasting wine on a hot day out in the Winelands, tourists and winemakers like nothing better than to quench their thirst

Winner: Signal Gun Wine Farm

18. Supernova, Award For The Klink Nominee with the Most Consumer Votes 

Winner: De Grendel Wine Estate

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