Doolhof wines paired with lunch at the Cape Grace

Sitting down for the formal tasting of the wines in the conservatory of the Cape Grace Hotel are going up on the left Alan Mullins, James Pietersen, Kim Maxwell, Angela Lloyd, and coming down on the right Chris von Ulmenstein, winemaker Friedrich Kühne, Dennis Kerrison, Nelia Vivier, Juli Huisamen,  De Waal Steyn, Lynne, Joanne Simon, Graham Howe and Gregory Mutambe

One white and four interesting red wines to taste

Owner Dennis Kerrison talking about Doolhof and its history

Kathy Marston listens attentively

The winemaker Friedrich Kühne talks us through the wines

And we taste and discuss

Cathy Marston, Chris von Ulmenstein, Anel Grobler, the winemaker, Dennis Kerrison and Nelia Vivier,  Kim Maxwell and Angela Lloyd seated in the dining room awaiting the first course

Media packs of two of the top Doolhof wines with some chocolates

The first course was interesting and went well with the Lady in White Sauvignon Blanc which is very sharp and lemony. It is Pan fried scallop wrapped in black forest ham with a cauliflower purée, ham velouté, charred sweet corn and pea tendrils

One of the huge crystal chandeliers

The menu

The main course of Chalmar beef fillet perfectly cooked and pink in the centre, with roasted garlic mashed potato, a smidgen of baby spinach and a suspicion of a wild mushroom and truffle sauce which was the perfect match to the Doolhof  2009 Theseus a Bordeaux Blend

Dessert was a deliciously wicked rich chocolate tart in a crisp chocolate shell, covered in ripe cherries and served with a beautiful praline ice cream.  Sadly, many thought its sweetness fought with the red wine, The Dark Lady, a coffee mocca pinotage

The winemaker, Friedrich Kühne

©John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus cc, 2012

Marlene vd Westhuizen's Abundance/Oorvloed launch

The huge spread of food cooked from recipes in the book

Sweet and savoury

The menu of what was presented, with added mayonnaise

The “interview” stage at the Book Lounge

Marlene van der Westhuizen

The large crowd gathered to listen to the chat

Marlene’s husband Deon with Elize Goffe-Wood

Marlene and Barbara Jordaan being introduced by the manager of the Book Lounge

The chat began with questions about how she conceived this book

Chef Pete Goffe-Wood

Lots of amusement

Elize buying a copy of the book

Marlene’s husband took lots of photos....

... as did John

A great initiative the Book Lounge has running

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus cc, 2012

Buitenverwachting's annual trade wine & food pairing evening

The new coffee shop The Coffee Bloc at Buitenverwachting

One of the magnificent Eagle owls that nest in their oaks each year

A welcoming glass of Buiten Bubbly

Chilling by the pond

We renew acquaintances, greet friends and get to know new faces

Some serious discussions about the excellent Sauvignon Blanc

Hermann Kirschbaum' the Cellarmaster with front of house stalwart Katrina Pietersen and Hanna Hoffmann who works for the Coffee Bloc

Fresh local Oysters with Strawberry Mignonette Caviar

2009 Cabernet Franc for tasting on the barrel, help yourself

The Loose Cannon Chenin blend was excellent

Executive Chef Edgar Osojnik in his kitchen, overseeing the preparation of  the canapés

One of the chefs loading up one of the many platters that came out to tempt us.

What was on each tray – absolutely delicious if a tiny bit dangerous to eat with all that flaky pastry which exploded with each mouthful:

Kitchen staff Robin de Jongh and Shanice Gouws, arranging the food

From the top: Chicken galantine; duck liver pate; bocconcini and tomato skewer; Pear and blue cheese; more bocconcini; tuna sushi

Hard to decide but there was plenty and plenty of choice

ustice Blosé, keeping us well supplied with wonderful food

It was a lovely long summer evening

Now we are at the red wines and lots of chatting and teasing was going on. 

Brad Paton, the winemaker, to the right of Lynne,  had just become a father for the second time on Monday

And finally the showstopper red blend Christine 2002

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus cc, 2012