Arriving at the festival, on a rather
gloomy day, but the rain did hold off
Marquees are strung along the grassy
riverside so, even if it does rain, you don’t get wet
The view down the Breede River towards
Robertson
Wine, Olives, art, all were on show
The tempura prawns were good, the sushi
freshly made on the Mimosa Hotel stand
People relaxing and enjoying themselves
with wine as the main attraction
Lots of places to sit, to empty your
glasses and there are even chandeliers
The band was amazingly good. They played everything from Chris
Kristofferson to America, Neil Diamond, Stones, Mammas and Poppas and good rock
and had the crowd loudly singing along
Lynne with Colyn Truter at the Arendsig
stand. No sign of Arendsig’s owner, Lourens van der Westhuizen, because his
wife has just given birth to twins and he was with her
With Bennie Stipp, De Wetshof marketing
director, on the De Wetshof stand
The two De Wetshof MCC bubblies
All the Chardonnays, Shirazes and MCC
Bubblies of the area were available in the tasting tent, so you could sample
them all and find the ones you liked without having to go to the stands trying
to taste everything on the show. We thought this a very sensible idea.
The wines were separated into the
different characteristics
A short explanation of the wines open for tasting
There are some really wonderful Methode
Cap Classiques being produced in Robertson/Bonnievale
More, chilled to taste
Some classic and some interesting
Chardonnays to taste
From pale partridge eye to bright pink,
these are the Pinot Noir MCC’s
And a selection of Shirazes
Lovely quiet ponies to ride
The children were having a lot of fun
We finally catch up with Elizma Spangenberg-Botha,
Manager of the Robertson Wine Valley
Here comes a big hug!
Martin Bruwer, the viticulturalist at Quando, and Estelle, his wife
Our heart stopping lunch, in both meanings of the phrase! Crisp and very greasy onion rings, crisp battered fish and chips for John and two perfectly cooked and seasoned lamb chops for Lynne
Our hosts for the weekend, Philip Jonker, owner of Weltevrede and his affectionate wife, Lindelize
Perhaps not the best day for a trip on the river but normally a fun experience
Karl Uwe Papesch owner and winemaker of Fraai Uitzicht restaurant and vineyard with his helper Tina Chimutashu
Johan van Zyl, winemaker at Springfield Winery
Festival visitors getting into the spirit of the occasion
Time to depart – you can see the rain is
finally coming closer.
This is the huge tent stocked to the gunwales
with wines of the area to buy and take home at very good discounted prices. Profits go to local charities
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor &
Bacchus 2013
