This annual celebration for the wine trade is held
on the farm each year. This year was special as patriarch Gyles Webb had his
70th Birthday celebrations that week. A family event; everyone may bring their
spouse and children and this year it was lovely to see so many new babies. The
full range of Thelema and Sutherland wines is available for tasting. There is a
generous spread of salads, cheeses and dessert and much sausage and steak is
expertly cooked on the fire. We think these fellows could enter one of the
Braai competitions and win
It is held at the private residence of the
Webbs, on the terrace and in their magnificent garden
Members of the family like General
Manager Thomas Webb, winemaker Rudi Schultz and assistant winemaker Duncan
Clarke and the sales marketing team take turns behind the table, pouring tasters
of the wines
Platters of great local cheeses
with fruit and relishes are there to stem appetites until the braai is ready
and they go so well with the wines
Gyles is in charge of the fires
and major domo of the braai with a lot of help from the others
The placid family dogs are
child friendly and very good at clearing plates mistakenly left on chairs that
are within their reach!
The Sutherland Viognier
Roussane 2014 is one we really like. It is perfect for summer days and outdoor
eating. This 50/50 blend is barrel fermented and so deserves its four and a
half stars in Platter this year. The Sutherland Pinot Noir knocked our socks
off. This typical elegant and softly fruity Elgin Pinot has legs to go and is
backed up by lovely savoury flavours and some soft chalky tannins. We tasted an
unlabelled new vintage of The Mint Cabernet sauvignon, full of the eucalypt
mint flavours people have so enjoyed in Thelema cabernets of yore. The
Sutherland cabernet (previously Cabernet Petit Verdot) delighted us when we
bought it last year and we enjoyed the violets on the nose again with the new
vintage. There are three Chardonnays, one each wooded from Thelema and Sutherland,
which also has an unwooded version. All are delicious with the cooler climate
of Elgin producing predictably leaner wines than the full-flavoured
Stellenbosch Chardonnay. The two Sauvignons Blanc are so different. The Thelema
from the Stellenbosch farm is slightly tropical and full, the Sutherland has
more crisp acidity and typical green Sauvignon flavours; we think it is showing
best at this time of the year, but they might swap places with a little more
age.
Wood is on the way, now just
the wait for good coals before the meat can go on. Gyles is supervising
The wonderful mountain views
with the Jacarandas in bloom as people relax on the lawn and the children play
and eat from their special snack table
Best Boerewors just singing on
the coals
And some superb rump steak in
its marinade. We were so impressed with its flavour and tenderness, apparently
from Stellenbosch Checkers, which must have an excellent butcher, we don’t see
meat this good in Sea Point
Done to perfection!
Thomas Webb takes a turn at the
fires
Nicely pink and rare in the
middle, with crisp fat on the outside
And very easy to cut
Boerewors all ready and
portioned for the hungry mob waiting
Lots of chat, lots of trade
customers, distributors and media enjoying the evening
Gyles with his wife Barbara and
their newest grandchild
The sun is setting and turning
the mountains purple and pink; we have been royally fed and 'watered' with
great wine, so it is time to head home. Thank you all at Thelema. Happy
Christmas and here’s to another successful wine-filled year. And Happy 70th
Birthday Gyles
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2017
