Tasting at Boplaas, Calitzdorp

Boplaas’ tasting room: the corner with some of their many, many well-deserved awards for their port and their wine. The Nel family has been making wine, port and brandy at Boplaas for over 150 years and is a carbon neutral farm.

The tasting counter with the huge selection of wines you may taste

The charming and informed owner, cellarmaster and Cape Wine Master Carel Nel

Carel Nel and his daughter  Margaux, who is the Boplaas winemaker, chatting to us about the ports, wines and brandy they make

Tasting tank samples in the cellar is a great way to envisage what the wine will become

A few historic bottles, all empty

The barrel cellar holds some gems

We are about to taste one

A couple of Margaux’s exciting experimental wines, one barrel each

Touriga Franca, with a splendid colour and flavour

The large side room, perfect for rustic banquets or large tastings

Some of their most recent awards.

Peter Bayly came to taste some of the ports and Yvonne, his wife, chats to Lynne.

We were delighted to have an opportunity to taste the delicious Cape Tawny Reserve Port of 1995

Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012

Supper with Peter & Yvonne Bayly at Bayly's Farm, Calitzdorp

The Baylys’ lovely farmhouse at the end of a beautiful valley. Mike Neebe of Axe Hill and Lynne discussing the dirt road which takes you there, which is quite an experience to those unused to driving on dirt

The far mountains have snow on the tops and in front are the Peter Bayly vines

A farm cat that has been tamed; those pointed ears denote it might have had wild cat ancestors.

Inside their cellar

Peter with barrels of port and wine

Lynne contemplating our starter of stunning chicken liver pate covered in a port jelly studded with fresh grapes

Discussing the problems of the world over good food and wine in their charming kitchen

Good wines, good food

Peter and a good selection of wines he put out for tasting

Lovely dish storage

Ancient door

John’s still life in the lamplight. 

They use solar power; no electricity is delivered to the farm

A lovely, old and very functional corner cupboard behind Yvonne

Peter and cat preparing dinner together

Super roast potatoes, sprinkled with rosemary, and some roasted butternut

A good cheesy spinach soufflé

The roast lamb is ready to be carved

The plate being filled with delicious food.

Their wonderful Boerbul dog, Diesel, who was a little grumpy, 

with a sore shoulder, on his chair

Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012

You Can With Fish book launch at Granger Bay Hotel School

Tamsin Snyman launched the third book of canned fish recipes at The Hotel School at Granger Bay, which was dressed for the occasion

A display of the sponsor's products was on every table, with wines by Allee Bleue

Courtenay and Tamsin Snyman

Pilchard Bunny Chow - a hit among the canapés presented when we arrived

A little jazz to set the tone

PR publicist Errieda du Toit, journalist Norman McFarlane and Lynne, 

enjoying the Spring sunshine

A well-packed dining room

Introduction by John Stephenson

with wise words from  Chef Graham Donne from SA Chefs Association SACA 

and Shân Biesman-Simons, director of nutrition and education, The Heart and Stroke Foundation

followed by publisher and author Tamsin Snyman

Real cider from James Mitchell Gone Fishing

Middlecut Mediterranean tomatoes

Tuna cakes & Tartare sauce

Pilchard, Marrow & Mushroom Cottage Pie

Curried Pilchards, Samp & Corn

Sardine Pancake Bake

Tuna & Mushroom Casserole

Pickled Pilchards with Pap & Spinach

Dessert from the DIY Cookie Bar

Publisher/author Tamsin Snyman with Lucky Star marketing director John Stephenson and Vashti Barends, also from Lucky Star

Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012