A Saturday at Avontuur Estate, Stellenbosch

On a lovely Saturday we were off to Avontuur Wine Farm in the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch. Known as "the home of fine wine and fast horses" it is owned by the Taberer family. We were joining Leigh Taberer. She is the sister of the late Tony Taberer who bought the estate in 1984. It is now run by his sons Michael and Philip Taberer. We were to have a wine tasting and lunch, and see the exciting newly finished Manor House accommodation. On arrival, you drive through the Paddocks and layers of white iceberg roses. http://www.avontuurestate.co.za

They have a lovely view of the Table Mountain range
and you can clearly see Adamastor, the legendary Titan and Protector of the Cape,
lying on his back, taking his nap on a bed of mist

There is parking outside the main building and lots of seating on the terrace for wine tasting or eating at the restaurant

You can sit inside and they do have a fireplace but we enjoyed our lunch out on the terrace

Autumn leaves on the pin oaks

Avontuur is a renowned racing stud. We were so amused watching these pregnant mares in the closest paddock. There was one mare in control and they happily played follow my leader around the merry-go-round tree and the paddock. The new generation of foals will be born in August and are very sought after in the international racing world as the sires have very good racing records

African sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) were grazing in the paddocks

Leigh Taberer has curated a very good exhibition of art for sale in the old cellar. It is certainly well worth the time taken to see the paintings, sculptures and ceramics of the well known artists Andrew Cooper, Lesley Charnock, Vicki Norcliffe, Marion Cross and Sandile B Cele

Chatting with Leigh and her partner Francois Joubert in the gallery

and we had a good look at the pictures and sculptures

It is a very good area for displaying art in all its forms

A bronze by Vicki Norcliffe

and a very accomplished horse's head

Wine and art combined

Very talented ceramicist Sandile Cele

You could not help but stroke the noses of this pair of dogs
Leigh Taberer contributed to the book Exploring the Cape Winelands

and they had some visitors who wanted to buy

We took a stroll to see the Manor House which has been converted into luxurious suites

We thought it would be the perfect place for a wedding or for other family celebrations, or a quiet break from the city.

Bookings can be made from the estate or through Nightsbridge booking platform 

There is a pool and a tennis court

The pool room

The house was closed, but we were able to take photographs through the windows. This is the entrance hall

One of the impressive suites

and the Manor house has the same beautiful views of paddocks and the mountain

A sheltered area at the back of the house

A vine covered pergola

now in beautiful colour as the leaves die back

Time for lunch and we had a table in the shade with the beautiful views

It is a very popular restaurant and the same people have run it for many years
It is open for breakfast, lunch and early evenings
Bookings and details on https://www.dineplan.com/restaurants/avontuur-estate-restaurant

The menu has a good and interesting selection

Hot drinks. You can order any Avontuur wine to have with your meal, by the glass or the bottle

Our very friendly and helpful waitress Avril has been working there for many years

Our starters had been pre-ordered and were smoked salmon roses
stuffed with prawn, avocado, ginger, wasabi and topped with caviar
They do not contain sushi rice, so good for no carb diets. Delicious

We have good memories of the Avontuur Cabernet Franc
and they did have some in the cellar which we had with our main course
Full of savoury umami flavours with and rich red berry fruit
Age is showing but still delicious, it went so well with the awesome Duck
Avontuur used to have an excellent annual festival of Cape Cabernet Francs
We shall miss this and, especially, the woman who organised the festival, the late Cobie van Oort

A mixed salad for the table

Both Leigh and Francois encouraged us to order the duck. We needed no pressure, it is one of our favourite things to eat, especially when it prepared as well as this. They suggested that we share a portion as they are usually very large. This portion is just right. The sauce flavoured with van der Hum tangerine liqueur and caramelised orange was perfection with the duck. It is on a bed of mixed vegetables. The crisp skin, and the moist duck are definitely something to go to Avontuur for. And the price for the full half a duck of R200 is very reasonable

It came with a portion of chips

John had room for dessert and this was the Brandy Snap Basket with vanilla ice cream, caramelised orange and a vanilla fudge sauce. Leigh and Francois had the Deep fried ice cream

We did have a taste of two wines at the beginning of lunch: the newly released Luna de Miel 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, with herbal notes, crispness and minerality and the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon with classic Cabernet flavours of forest floor, black berry fruit with cassis to the fore, good wooding and soft tannins. All the wines are named after horses that the farm has owned. The winemaker (since 2011) is Jan van Rooyen. These are the two wines we drank with our meal.

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Flying with Electric News

This has indeed been a momentous couple of days. After years of struggling to provide enough power to the country from its ancient, creaky and inefficient, poorly maintained coal driven power stations and one equally ancient nuclear facility, the worst power outages in years have forced the government’s arm. Our President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has announced major changes to the Governments renewable energy plans. They will make an amendment to schedule two of the Electricity Regulation Act, which would minimise the red tape for independent power producers. 

We have been stuck in a time warp putting all our energy future into coal fired power stations at a time when coal is running out, is of bad quality and is a global pollution nightmare. 

The announcement has forced the arm of Gwede Mantashe, the dinosaurian Minister of Mineral Resources. He is a trade unionist with a huge belief in the need to use coal as a power source and, we believe, a vested interest. All his actions, for several years, have flown in the face of environmentalists and most governments, who have seen the need to use greener, cleaner power. He admitted, at the press conference in which the President made his important announcement, that he had had his arm twisted. To quote Vrye Weekblad, the Afrikaans weekly: “On Thursday, during Ramaphosa's briefing, he looked slightly sheepish and admitted that the president had “bent his arm in this direction”. Actually, Ramaphosa tore his arm off and slapped him in the face with the bloody side”.

So the lid has been lifted off. Our industries, municipalities and individual property owners have expressed their wish to source their own green power for years. We have abundant wind and sunshine. We have suppliers who have everything needed to provide it; indeed, some of them have been exporting their expertise. Large windmills are already dotted about the countryside and Stellenbosch municipality has already equipped itself to generate its own green power.

The coal powered power stations in the Mpumalanga Highveld have polluted the atmosphere there for many years. Here is a photograph we took at about 11 in the morning in May 2009 en route to the Kruger Park. Lynne who is asthmatic, had trouble breathing.  

We have listened to people complaining about the sight of wind farms and solar panels

Would they prefer this? And enjoy breathing it?

And then, the next day, the news that 51% of South African Airways has been sold to a private South African consortium with extensive experience in running airlines. So, no more bureaucratic Marxist control of that failed entity.

So, the news is indeed bright and is great news. Suppliers will still need to apply for permits, but we sincerely hope that these are not delayed so that we can get on with our lives and let the country continue to grow. There is a lot of spare renewable energy being produced already and as we have more power cuts, more companies will move to independence from the woeful national electricity supply which is old, keeps breaking down and which will take years to mend. In the time of Covid we need a quick fix to get us back working.

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A Sea Point Evening

The Sea Point beachfront is a wonderful amenity enjoyed, not only by those of us who live here, but by visitors from all over the Cape Peninsula and points further afield. It is a favourite place for us to take a walk and enjoy the fresh sea air

Here is a set of photographs taken on a late afternoon when we were hit by "load shedding" between 4 and 6.30 pm

A photographer and her model on Queen's Beach

A swimmer in the icy winter waters of the Atlantic at Saunders Rocks tidal pool

He was not the only brave swimmer coming for a sunset swim

A wave breaks over Saunders Rocks

A flock of European Starlings looking for food in kelp washed up on the rocks

The Common or European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has progressively expanded its range in South Africa

since its introduction into Cape Town in the late 19th century

Water drains in a lacy pattern after a wave has broken over a rock

Two Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis) check each other out

and dry their wings on Saunders Rocks

Social distancing - kelp gulls and black oystercatchers at Saunders Rocks

Seagulls fly above the Promenade with workers queuing for taxis to take them home
and blocks of flats through light mist in the background

A young woman dances while her friend films her on Queen's Beach

People enjoying the sunset on Saunders Rocks

and the sun sinks over the horizon through a band of light cloud

But all is not perfect, as all along the coast were homeless people planning to sleep out

Sad times

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The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2021

The judging of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show competition has always been at the Grande Roche hotel in Paarl. This year in a Covid related change, the judging was moved to central Cape Town and it took place at The Westin Cape Town from 31st May to 4th June

The panel would normally comprise three international and six local judges covering a broad range of wine tasting experience, expertise and working with a 100-point scoring system. This year, as in 2020, the panels comprise 100% South African experts. The panel has been chaired by leading wine authority Michael Fridjhon since the inception of the show in 2002

The Judges: 

Back Row: François Rautenbach, Spencer Fondaumiere, Cathy van Zyl MW, Heidi Duminy CWM,  Christian Eedes, JD Pretorius

In front: associate judge Malu Lambert and judge Patson Mathonsi with convenor and chair Michael Fridjhon, James Pietersen and Narina Cloete

There is a host of detailed information and interviews with Michael Fridjhon and the judges on the website at https://www.trophywineshow.co.za

The results will be announced later, probably in or around July this year

Information supplied by Outsorceress Marketing

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In MENU This Week - Paul Cluver at The Vineyard, Ocean Basket supper

 A double-headed Strelitzia reginae Aiton 'Mandela's Gold' in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

So the ongoing effects of the damage caused by the government's corruption and neglect of infrastructure continue to hurt all South Africans. This week has seen more disruption from so-called "Load-Shedding", as the impact of Eskom's inability to provide enough power is called, because of the increased demands of Winter. When it strikes in the first part of the evening, we sometimes go out for a meal to occupy the hours of darkness. We did it again this week....

Celebrating Chardonnay Day at the Vineyard Hotel with Paul Cluver

Another invitation we could not refuse: "Would you like to come to a dinner paired with Paul Cluver Chardonnays to celebrate International Chardonnay day?" said Roy Davies, General Manager of the Vineyard Hotel. Yes please. We have always put Paul Cluver Chardonnay high up on our favourite list of good chardonnays

Read on...

Locked Down, Blacked Out - Supper at Ocean Basket, Sea Point

Out on the town again! Celebrating.... what? A Power cut or, as they call it here, Load Shedding at the power company. And another lockdown with a curfew of 11pm, which has sent the restaurants into another down turn. Our particular period of lock down was the one we hate the most: 8 to 10.30 pm. So we decided to spoil ourselves and go down the road (literally) to our local Ocean Basket for a simple supper. We love it there, as the seafood is fresh, reasonably priced and we can take our own wine. And we also do take our own wine glasses, theirs being a bit thick and clunky. Cheers!
Read on...

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Celebrating Chardonnay Day at the Vineyard Hotel with Paul Cluver

Another invitation we could not refuse: "Would you like to come to a dinner paired with Paul Cluver Chardonnays to celebrate International Chardonnay day?" said Roy Davies, General Manager of the Vineyard Hotel. Yes please. We have always put Paul Cluver Chardonnay high up on our favourite list of good chardonnays

We arrived at 6.30 to a warm welcome

They have some good specials on at the moment that might attract some of you. The restaurant that was called Myoga has now closed and has been reopened as the main restaurant in the hotel. Chef Mike Basset is in charge of the Restaurant and other catering facilities in the hotel

A welcoming glass of 2014 Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay
It shows no age and is the same crisp and lively Chardonnay we expected

Nicely spaced in the small lounge while we wait for dinner

Paul Cluver Cellarmaster Andries Burger and his wife Inge were there to take us through the Chardonnays

The Vineyard's General Manager Roy Davies

Andries said Elgin is apple country, and that Paul Cluver was a pioneer back in 1987 when they planted the first grapes there. Making wine is a passion for him. They first planted 128 Chardonnay vines next to the river and the first harvest was in 2008. This year, the Cape had a long slow vintage, so the wines should be very good. We know that Elgin certainly has the perfect climate for cool country wines, white and red, both with great concentration, minerality and superb flavour. A tip from Lynne: If you smell fig leaves on a white wine, it is probably from Elgin

All the guests were enjoying the 2014 Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay

Time to take our seats in the restaurant

The kitchen is partially open to view

The menu showing the wine pairings

First, an Amuse from the kitchen, which came with very enticing aromas. It is an arancini ball containing risotto rice and melting cheese, in a cheese fondue sauce and a herb oil. Lovely flavours, with good umami notes. It was served with the Paul Cluver Village Chardonnay 2020, which is very lightly wooded. The sort of Chardonnay that lights up your life and a meal; crisp, zingy and full of Granny Smith apple, lime and lemon flavours, with length and excitement

Sticky mosbolletjies and some cheese straws

The same wine was served with the starter of two small, glazed Baby Chicken Supremes, a Berbere Ethiopian spice infused Albafura sauce (an intense classic French reduced chicken stock flavoured with red pepper), a Pomme Anna square, broccoli spears and dehydrated pink grapes. Lovely aromas wafted off the plate and the sauce was unctuous and delicious

The main course was served with Paul Cluver's flagship Chardonnay, the 2018 Seven Flags. It has a classic French Chardonnay nose; deep, with hints of spiced oranges and, on the palate, complex, crisp and clean with lime, butter and wood. So, so good with food

The first thing detected from the main course of Grilled, crisp skin salmon was a wonderful aroma of truffle and peas and when Lynne checked the menu that, indeed, was what was on the plate. It was resting on buttered gnocchi and mussels, in a lake of green pea velouté. A perfect, rich match for the Seven Flags

Dessert was served with the Paul Cluver Estate 2018 Chardonnay, the one we bought most recently. Andries commented that he had never really thought of it as a dessert wine, but that it was a very good match. Lovely aromas of citrus, green melon and brioche and, on the palate, lime, tangerine and vanilla from the wood. Refreshing with the dessert of glazed lightly barbequed pineapple sprinkled with pepper, a rocher of peach ice cream, topped with a crisp dehydrated slice of pineapple, and a slice of toasted poppy seed lemon chiffon cake. There was a distinct hint of smoky bacon on the pineapple, perhaps from the grill. Another good match with the wine

For John, a very good double espresso, for Lynne a pot of Green Tea as a digestif
A lovely meal and a great pairing with Paul Cluver's exceptional Chardonnays

The wines we tasted

Thank you to all concerned and especially Andries and Inge Burger and Roy Davies, great table companions

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Locked Down, Blacked Out - Supper at Ocean Basket, Sea Point

Out on the town again! Celebrating.... what? A Power cut or, as they call it here, Load Shedding at the power company. And another lockdown with a curfew of 11pm, which has sent the restaurants into another down turn. Our particular period of lock down was the one we hate the most: 8 to 10.30 pm. So we decided to spoil ourselves and go down the road (literally) to our local Ocean Basket for a simple supper. We love it there, as the seafood is fresh, reasonably priced and we can take our own wine. And we also do take our own wine glasses, theirs being a bit thick and clunky. Cheers!

As you can see, it was not busy, just us and about four other tables
They close at 9, so we had an hour to order and eat
It is a pity more locals do not do what we do and eat out when we have power cuts

From our cellar, a bottle we thought would go well with sea food - a 2014 Creation Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a farm in the Hemel and Aarde valley that we love going to; the wine and the welcome are terrific, as are the food offerings there. And you might be thinking that the wine was a bit old? Well, not a bit of it. It was fresh and a delight - lively and, classically, a good crisp and elegant Sauvignon Blanc which went perfectly with our food

This is what we planned to order and what we thought we had ordered
Platters for One
BITE OF THE OCEAN
3 prince prawns, fish & calamari
R 140

This is what arrived. 

PLATTER FOR 1

3 mussels, 6 prince prawns, fish, calamari & calamari heads

R 190

There was a bit of a confusion with our order to our kind waitress, Anita, but we forgive her as this was much better. A bargain at R190 each and so, so enjoyable. We asked for just chips, instead of half chips and rice. And we specified crispy chips as usual. As John always says, really double cook the chips and when you think they are cooked, put them back in the oil again. The platter has 6 butterflied King prawns, tender baby calamari hoods and crispy tentacles, three mussels in their shell in a cream sauce, and a slice of very good fish in an amazing lemon garlic sauce. What more could you ask for? We had one each 

We will be back

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