Groenland

Last week I went to this winery by myself as I was out that way for a job interview and thought it would be nice to visit a few wineries before I headed home.

I have to say, it is a very cute/unique place to come for a wine tasting. It felt like I was driving on to someones property, which I am guessing I was. Even though I have been to several wineries where the owners live on the same grounds, you usually don't get close to their house, so it doesn't feel so obtrusive.

The gardens at this winery are nicely kept, and the whole place all has a quaint feel to it. It added mystery and excitement to the place :-)

Following the wine sale signs I managed to find the wine tasting room. There was a lady there working as the tasting room assistant and there were no guests when I went. So I was very lucky to get a one on one tasting. The lady (Jenny) working there was very friendly, polite and clearly knew her wine!

A tasting at this winery is free, and there are 9 wines to try. I tried 6 of them and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised as to how nice the wines were. I had not heard of Groenland before coming to this winery, so after trying the wine, I was very glad to have visited.

The Chenin Blanc 2010 - Promise (R25) is definitely worth a try. It is balanced, creamy, not acidic and has lovely fruit flavours. I especially liked the Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (R39.50) which has a beautiful smell and taste. My other favourite was the Antoinette Marie 2007 (R59.50). This is a red blend of 50% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet and 25% Merlot. I don't know what has happened to me recently, but I am stumbling over some fantastic reds!! For those who follow my wine blog closely, you will know this is very odd, as I have not been so keen on red wines up till now. I ended up walking away with two bottles of the SB and Antoinette Marie. I have already shared the Antoinette Marie with friends and they also thought the wine was very nice!!

The price of the wine here is truly fantastic, especially considering the quality of wine you are getting!!


Be sure to visit this winery if out this way, it's truly a hidden gem!!

Please note I did not have my camera on me when I visited this winery, and therefore I have had to use photos from Groenlands website. You can view more on http://www.groenland.co.za/gallery.asp

Diemersdal

My boyfriend and I went to Diemersdal after doing some errunds Friday morning. We thought because it was during the day time on a week day that it wouldn't be busy, but surprisingly it was. There were a few gentlemen sitting inside doing a tasting, there was a group of young adults sitting on the lawn doing a tasting, and then another two couples came in while we were there. All with one tasting assistant, I was quite impressed with how well he kept up with all the people.

The style of the building is Dutch. The view from the tasting room is very nice, I love the lawn they have outside the tasting room to enjoy a picnic and wine tasting.

We had a very good experience here!! The vibe in the tasting room is great, the tables outside allow you to do a tasting there, and the lawn outside is so lovely if you want to take your time and enjoy the scenery while doing a tasting you can.

It appears that you can try anything and everything on the list, and at no cost. The service was fantastic!! The guy serving us was so friendly, polite, hospitable, you don't want to leave because his energy is so inviting and welcoming. It's fantastic!!

We tried eight wines, my favourites were the Sauvignon Blac 2011 (R49). This has a beautiful smell and a great tropical and grassy taste. It is really elegant and easy drinking. The Sir Lambert 2011 (R75) has grassy, asparagus notes, is light and refreshing. I liked this wine very much. I loved the Chardonnay unwooded 2011 (R50). This was delicious, it had great flavour, was lovely on the palate, and had a lingering aftertaste. We were very lucky to try the Grenache 2010 (R95), this usually is not available for tasting, but if a bottle has been opened, then they might let you have a try :-) Be sure to ask if you do come here, for the Grenache is smooth, balanced, had lovely flavour, and was not dry. I really liked it. We were informed that this is best served chilled. Last of all, the Pinotage Reserve 2010 (R90) is very nice!! It has great body, lovely flavour and is nicely balanced.

We ended up walking out with four bottles, and I can't wait to open them!!

We were told that on the weekends the music in the tasting room is turned up, and people are welcome to bring their own picnics and sit on the lawns drinking the Diemersdal wine. I have already told my friends about this, and I can't wait to go drink Diemersdal wine while sitting on a picnic blanket enjoying a home packed picnic with friends!!  What better way to spend an afternoon with friends!!

Be sure to put this winery on your list when visiting the Durbanville wine region!!

Boekenhoutskloof

After I picked up some MCC from Morena a.k.a Franschhoek Pass Winery I went to Boekenhoutskloof winery.

I was surprised to see so many cars leaving as I was driving up the driveway. It turns out, I had just missed a busy period. This was great timing as it meant I had fantastic service!!
 

I like the porcupine art on the way in to the tasting room, its very cool. I like the cartoon people standing around the tasting room.I also like the spittoons, they are very stylish. The whole place was stylish, funky and had a great vibe.

Once seated, I was given a list of wines, and informed that only 6 of the wines are opened each day for a tasting and therefore was given another list showing which ones they were for that day. They chose one wine from the Boekenhoutskloof estate wine list, the chocolate block flagship wine, a few from the Porcupine and Wolftrap list.
 

I started with the Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (R40). It was crisp, refreshing, had an interesting fruity flavour, and a lingering aftertaste. I liked this wine. Next I tried The Wolftrap 2010 (R40). It is a Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc. This was buttery, creamy, and had body! Then I tried the Porcupine Ridge 2010 (R50) which is 70% Viognier and 30% Grenache Blanc. It was very nice. It was smooth on the palate and nicely balanced. This was followed by the Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2009, which was soft, balanced, nice, had lovely structure, body and had a beautiful flavour. The Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon was a real surprise for me!! I wasn't going to bother trying it but I am so glad I did!!! It was smooth, had a slight coffee flavour, was light and I loved it!! I bought two bottles of this wine. I truly couldn't believe I had found a red wine I liked and it was a cab sauv!! hehe. The sixth wine I tried was the Procupine Ridge Syrah Viognier 2010 (R50). It was slightly dry, little spicy and very nicely balanced!! This wine would go great with food. I wondered if the slight pepper flavour was what gave it a slightly dry feeling on the palate.... The lady serving me was very kind to let me try two other wines, so I ended up trying eight wines. The two I haven't mentioned yet are: The Chocolate Block (R175) which is nice and has lovely character and the Boekenhoetskloof Syrah 2009 which I thought was amazing!! It was spicy, had hints of cherries and dark chocolate. Apparently this wine is sold out before it's even bottled!! For those who noticed, I have not put prices beside the Boekenhoetskloof wines, this is because you can only order them if you are on the mailing list. If you want to buy these wines you have to take 12 bottles which comes at a cost of R4000.

Just as I was finishing my tasting, the place filled up with visitors. It seems this place is quite popular!!
Be sure to visit this winery when you visit Franschhoek!! Oh, and guess what? A tasting here is free!! Like it!! :-)