The iconic Delheim Estate in the Simonsberg sub-region of the Stellenbosch Wine Route officially reopened on Thursday, November 12 and has another exciting announcement. Three of their wines have been awarded five-star status in the 2021 edition of Platter’s South African Wine Guide, arguably the country’s most widely referenced wine authority.
Enviable five-star ratings were awarded to the Grand Reserve 2017, Vera Cruz Pinotage 2017 and the Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2019, each a pinnacle wine of the Delheim portfolio and a Simonsberg Stellenbosch icon in its own right.
The Grand Reserve is the winery’s apex bottling and its first vintage was produced back in 1981. It is a true reflection of what the terroir of Stellenbosch can deliver for some of the best “Bordeaux style” red wines of South Africa.
A single-vineyard wine, the Vera Cruz Pinotage has added to the diversity of the top portfolio of Delheim, proving over many years that it is counted amongst the best Pinotages of South Africa. The wine recently added distinction to the country’s line up of definitive Pinotages as a 2020 ABSA Top 10 winner.
Produced since 1979, the Edelspatz is one of South Africa’s most beloved noble late harvest wines. As of next year, the wine will join the Old Vine Project (OVP), the South African initiative certifying wines made from vines older than 35 years – the first Riesling vineyard to be registered with the OVP. This wine was also among the Top 10 selected in the most recent Prescient Dessert Wine Report by Winemag.
Earlier this year, the Vera Cruz Pinotage 2017 and the Edelspatz 2019 scored 95/100, whilst the Grand Reserve 2017 scored 93/100 in UK based Master of Wine Tim Atkin’s 2020 South Africa Special Report.
The timing of this news is a fortuitous coincidence for wine-lovers eager to re-stock their collections with Delheim’s age-worthy wines. Delheim will welcome visitors for lunch again from Thursday after being forced by lockdown into months of temporary closure
The estate now looks forward to sharing its refreshed Cellar Door Experience, its slogan – Worth The Journey – echoing in this unveiling, in time for the summer season.
As a pioneer of wine routes in South Africa, Delheim has been a beloved wine destination for decades. The farm’s lush and elevated setting is poised to be enjoyed once again with the focus returned to its exceptional wines. There are now two different types of wine tastings available – the Premium Tasting and the Reserve Tasting.
Wine tastings on the property can be enjoyed outside on the garden patio from where Table Mountain can be seen; or in the cool Downstairs Cellar.
Alongside great wine, Delheim also offers a limited Blackboard Lunch Menu, featuring old classics and new dishes that will change on a regular basis. Alternatively, order a cheese and meat platter with your wine tasting.
As a wine tourism leader, Delheim was the first estate to serve cheese platters and the first South African wine farm to have a restaurant – something today’s visitors to the Cape Winelands take for granted.
Also making a comeback after Delheim’s Covid hiatus is summer’s sweet note – the Wine & Fynbos Cupcake Pairing.
The costs of the experiences are:
– Premium wine tasting, where visitors can taste five of 10 wines from the range – R85pp;
– Reserve wine tasting, which includes the Vera Cruz Pinotage, Chardonnay Sur Lie, Edelspatz, Grand Reserve and the exclusive Iconoclast Cape Blend – R150;
– Wine & Fynbos Cupcake pairing – R150pp. On offer Thursday to Monday at 11:00 only;
– Cheese and meat platter for two to share – R280. Available Monday to Sunday, 09:30 to 16:30.
Please note the trading times: Monday to Friday for wine sales (online sales 7 days a week); Monday to Sunday for wine tastings and cheese and meat platters, whilst lunches and the Wine & Fynbos Cupcake Pairing are on offer Thursday to Monday.
Visitors are encouraged to pre-book their experiences on the Dineplan platform on the Delheim website, to ensure a safe and hassle-free Winelands sojourn. Dedicated safety rules have been instituted and Delheim adheres to all Covid-19 protocols, keeping staff and guests’ health and safety a top priority.
Delheim wines are available from leading retailers and restaurants as well as the winery’s online shop at https://www.delheim.com/shop-online/. Delivery is FREE with orders totalling above R1 200.
Picture/s: supplied