We were invited to Laborie to stay in the newly
refurbished three bedroom, self-catering Jonkershuis this week and, while we
were there, we discovered that Laborie’s motto “Where good things abound” is so
true. The house is beautiful, spacious, cool and supplied with everything could
want if you are inclined to self cater, its own private terrace and access to
the pool next door. But, of course should you care not to, Laborie offers all
sorts of options...
On the tasting room deck, we look out at the dark green
of the burdened vines, the mid-morning heat rises and the harvest has begun.
All one can hear is the hum of bees and cicadas in the vines and the cooing of
a dove in the distance. So what is on offer there? A tailored wine tasting of
5 wines, Bubbly with macaroons; a wine and chocolate pairing or would you like
to do it with biltong?
The
tasting room entrance is next door to the conference centre
and group tastings can be organised
Laborie’s
full selection of available wines, and their excellent Alambic Potstill Brandy
We
went to Harvest restaurant for lunch on the terrace
under the cool oaks
and
were welcomed by a bottle of our favourite Laborie Brut Rosé
We
were joined by Harvest’s chef patron Matthew Gordon and Laborie’s General Manager, Zelda Oelofse-Cornthwaite for a chat
The
specials menu of the day. It changes regularly
It
was hot, but there was a lovely cooling breeze
Chef
Shirene Patrick also came to say hello
We couldn't make up our mind which starter to have, so we shared both. This is the
Franschhoek smoked trout salad with bacon and a poached egg
One
we have had before and loved: Tempura prawns and avocado
John
had a glass of Laborie Shiraz with his main course. Lynne was still sipping the
Brut Rosé, which went perfectly with her food
Rump
steak with a green pepper sauce, perfectly crisp chips and a vegetable platter.
Portions are huge
Local, seasonal seared yellowfin tuna, so fresh, with a Niçoise salad. Really lovely
The
view from Harvest's terrace
Our
accommodation – the Jonkershuis
Byron
shows us how the alarm works
The very comfortable lounge has DSTV and the house has air conditioning
The
main bedroom also has a flat screen TV
The
well stocked fridge works on an honesty system and you will be charged very reasonable prices for what
you drank when you leave
The dining area next to the kitchen
One
of the other two bedrooms, each of which can be turned into a double
They
share a bathroom with a rain shower
There
is a private terrace outside and gates lead to the swimming pool, which is for
all guests’ use
A
view of the pool and the Jonkershuis
The
Jongmanshuis houses all the other accommodation
There
is a comfortable bar at Harvest restaurant
Harvested
grapes coming into the cellar
Really
good looking bunches of what we think is Shiraz
Bar Di Bar is a new venture for Laborie, it sells craft beers and Tapas and is run by Conrad
Harley
The
weather stone! White on top is a very rare event
Inside,
it is quirky. A 70s VW Microbus and a real jukebox with vinyl records, playing good songs. Conrad started his business with a mobile bar in the 'bus. They are building
a brewery in the back,
but currently they sell a very good selection of local
craft beers...
...and
Laborie wine
Customers
enjoying the vibe
Our
platter supper, which we had on our private terrace
Some
paper wasps building their nest
You
can walk up to the Taal monument through the vineyards
Hot
summer vines full of grapes
Breakfast
is served at the long table in the manor house
Fruit, yoghurt and cereals
Excellent
smoked salmon trout on creamy scrambled eggs
A
cheese and bacon omelette
Resident
pusscat examining fried eggs – no she didn’t get any
A hot
day Paarl view through the Manor house front door
Beautiful
window detail - above the front door of the manor house
Friends
joined us for the day and we started with a wine tasting on the tasting room
balcony. You choose five wines from those available for tasting and you get your
own selection on a tray. Laborie's award winning Alambic Potstill Brandy is included
Then
it was off to Bar di Bar
for the beer tasting for us, some wine for our friends
and some tapas
and more friendly service
Colourful
local hand-painted trays carry the beer samples and, if you fall in love with
them, you can buy them
It
was 39 degrees outside, so we chose to eat inside
The
menu – very reasonable prices
You
taste one local cider and five beers
The
tapas was fresh and so inspired. For our British friends a taste of South
Africa: Biltong, droëwors, crisps and local olives. Superb tempura hake with sauce
tartare
We
also had the salmon and dill paté, mini boerewors sausages with chakalaka,
magnificent deep fried duck croquettes and grilled calamari with chorizo and
red peppers. All fresh, all excellent
The
owner of Bar di Bar, Conrad Harley
We
said goodbye to our friends and had a simple supper on the deck
at Taste
restaurant
with a view of the cork oaks and the vines
Everything we saw at Laborie is wheelchair friendly, with ramps and easy access
Laborie
has just released this new Chardonnay Pinot Noir blend and we loved it. It is
a perfect summer food wine
Where
good things abound
Lynne’s
supper of a chicken and mushroom pot pie with a lovely salad
Because
of the mushrooms, John had some more tapas
and
we watched the swallows soaring as the setting sun painted the sky pink and
blue
We
could not resist dessert, for once, and had the children’s portion of waffles,
maple syrup and ice cream
John
was up very early the next morning to get the best light to photograph the
sunbirds on the blue agapanthus
Workers
examining the vines
The
sun birds are so quick that it is hard to get a good photograph. John took hundreds
to get these beauties!
Thank
you Laborie for a really wonderfully relaxed stay.
It was so good to try out
all you have to offer. As we left, conference delegates were arriving and they
were very excited about what was to come
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015
