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

Irene Waller from La Bri showed Lynne her elegant lemon/limey chardonnay

Achim von Arnim was pleased with his unwooded Cabrière Pinot Noir

Solms Delta attracted a crowd of enthusiasts

Some picnicked on the pavement

and the security staff were happy to see us go home

after a most enjoyable day.

Tasting Eikendal wines at Catharina's

Catharina's, on the right

Wines, ready for the tasting

Lynne, Christian Eedes, Nico Grobler and Kathy Raath (who distributes Eikendal wines)

Stuart Buchan (Eikendal GM) with Higgo Jacobs and Roland Peens

The Steenberg Manor House

Steenberg squirrels are also well fed!

Glasses as sculpture in the Steenberg tasting room