Mention the name Blaauwklippen and three things immediately come to my mind: Zinfandel (one of the very few Zin specialists in SA), their weekly Sunday family market, and their unique and fun-filled annual Blending Competition. I have taken part in the competition with my KGB Wine Club, and this year I was invited to sit on the judging panel, which was a wonderful day spent tasting the 99 entries. At the awards ceremony there was much abuzz as, for the first time in the 31 year history of the competition, there was a six-way tie for the winning wine.
The six winning club’s red blend will be bottled under the Blaauwklippen Barouche label and sold commercially. The label for this winning blend is based on a specially designed artwork by well-known Stellenbosch artist, Frans Groenewald, and all six wine clubs will receive recognition on the back label. The wine is sold in Magnum bottles from selected retail outlets, and from the farm at R120 per bottle.
The awards luncheon also gave us a great opportunity to try the new ‘taste extravaganza’ which launched on the farm on 1 October. Celebrating their 333rd anniversary next year, they have transformed their wine centre into a venue dedicated to sensory ecstasy.
Their new Bistro is the culinary playground of charcutier Steve Jeffery of Cape Town’s famed The Charcuterie, who brings his fresh and easy approach to food. He supports the principles of free range, hormone free, pasture-fed and ethically farmed animals cured in the classic timeless fashion. Here you will find the finest ingredients, prepared with passion and served with love. The Bistro offers a selection of platters available daily and a classical bistro home-cooked style menu in the evenings. While parents enjoy their meal in a tranquil setting, there’s a jungle gym for the children to enjoy. Picnics are also on offer.
Blaauwklippen’s reputation for fine food is further bolstered in a new wine and food offering. Not to be missed is the Wine & Chocolate Experience which, at R80 pp, the value is outstanding. If it’s something more substantial you’re after, then the new wine and food pairing adventure is for you. For only R150 pp, you’ll be able to enjoy five sumptuous bite sized nibbles accompanied by five Blaauwklippen wines, meticulously paired to showcase their best flavour and aromatic attributes.
There is also a Spirits room, an Oak Terrace and a beautifully manicured Piazza to discover so be sure to give yourself a day to explore!
OF NOTE
Where Blaauwklippen Wine Estate, Strand Road, R44 Stellenbosch
Trading Hours Monday to Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
Contact +27 21 880 0133, www.blaauwklippen.com
Karen Glanfield is host of the very successful ‘Unwined’ wine appreciation courses, a Wine Specialist Tour Guide and is involved in many other vinous activities.
Photographs Courtesy