Once again local cellars achieve top honours

Allesverloren’s Fine Old Vintage 2008 (previously known a Allesverloren Port) and Riebeek Cellars’ Kasteelberg Shiraz 2010 both received gold medals at the recently held Michelangelo International Wine Awards.

The following wines by local cellars also received silver medals: Het Vlock Casteel Cabernet, Sauvignon 2010, Het Vlock Casteel Merlot 2010, Riebeek Cellars Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc 2010 and Riebeek Cellars Kasteelberg Shiraz 2011.

Beautiful weddings at Café Felix

If you type in Café Felix on Google you will be inundated with photographer's websites and blogs filled with stunning images of past weddings at Café Felix. We at Shiraz Estate are very lucky to host so many of these wedding guests and since wedding season is in full swing I thought I'd share just some of these lovely celebrations.



See more of this wedding



See more of this wedding



See more of this wedding

See more of this wedding

See more of this wedding

See more of this wedding

Valley looks forward to Shiraz and Art Weekend 2012



The Riebeek Valley is definitely a creative place and boasts a large number of not only nationally but internationally renowned artists who call it home. Unlike many other festivals the Shiraz and Art, as it is locally known, does not draw tens of thousands of visitors but rather a select number of art lovers making it an ideal opportunity to visit. In addition to art exhibitions and performances, there are several markets on the go and most of the restaurants have Shiraz inspired menus on offer as well as excellent winelists. Being only an hours drive from Cape Town the Valley is the perfect place to explore this coming weekend.

The Darling Wildflower Show 2012

Images courtesy www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/show.htm

The Darling Wildflower Show takes place this weekend and with the weather forecast looking beautiful for the duration of this yearly event it is the ideal opportunity to visit the district which represents approximately 1200 species of wildflower.

Images courtesy www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/show.htm

The event takes place at the Darling Sports Club and R30 entrance includes entry to the landscaped as well as a ride on a tractor drawn wagon to see the Oude Post Wetland, which is only  accessible during the show.

Images courtesy www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/show.htm

Various food and refreshment stalls are available, but Darling is a stone’s throw from the Riebeek Valley with its selection of eateries and with Groenrivier Slow Food and Craft Market taking place on Sunday, why not make an entire day of it?

Images courtesy www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/show.htm

Images courtesy www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/show.htm

For more information:

Tel: 084 916 1111

darlingwfs@telkomsa.net

Images courtesy www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/show.htm

Lesley Charnock's work now available at The Gallery

Lesley Charnock, renowned Cape Town landscape artist, now has work available to view and buy at The Gallery in Main Street, Riebeek Kasteel. Lesley will be joining us later in September to host a four day landscape painting workshop at Shiraz Estate.
For more information on the artist and her work visit http://www.lesleycharnock.com/
 

Het Vlock Casteel

Next up on the list of must sees in the Riebeek Valley is Het Vlock Casteel which is the first stop on the right as you drive into Church Street. Het Vlock Casteel’s shop comes with a warning ‘come armed with cash or credit cards’ as you will want to stock up on some seriously scrumptious treats. Homemade dessert toppings, jams, chutney’s, olives, oils and much more are all available to taste while being assisted by highly competent staff – many of whom have been on the farm their whole lives and are actively involved in production.

Môrester, the farm on which Het Vlock Casteel is situated, has been in the Vlock family since 1958 and in addition to olives grows approximately 23 cultivars of grapes mainly for the export market. They also make wine including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

The farm runs grape tours from end December to end March which literally cover the whole process from vineyard to pack house and offer the whole family an authentic farm experience. Het Vlock really has something for everyone and is well worth a visit whether you are a wine enthusiast, an olive lover or are simply looking for a bit of retail therapy.

For more info on grape tours and wine and olive oil tasting visit www.hetvlockcasteel.co.za or contact 022 448 1488

Well worth a visit

The weather seems to be improving (I’m crossing my fingers as I type that) and the Swartland scenery is utterly spectacular at present with fields of golden canola in bloom and everything lush and green after the rains. It is a wonderful time to take a leisurely drive and explore some of the gems that the Riebeek Valley has achieved recognition for.

One such gem is Kloovenburg, stretching along the lower slopes of Kasteelberg (Castle Mountain). It is a wonderful place to start your foray into the Riebeek Valley, being the first farm on your left as you pass over the Bothmaskloof Pass before turning into Church Street – literally the gateway to the Valley.

Kloovenburg was planted with grapes in the 18^th century, but it wasn’t until 1998 that Pieter du Toit produced the first Shiraz on the farm. This was the first of many successful wines and later vintages have won numerous top awards.

A visit to the farm is a delight and you’ll be treated with warmth and hospitality. Kloovenburg is not only known for its wines but also a range of olive products ranging from oils and tapenades to body butters and shower gels.  Their annual Christmas Market Day has become fixture on the Cape Town Calendar and is well worth a visit to stock up on some delicious wines, olives and other homemade goodies for the festive season. For more information on opening and tasting times or the hiking trails please contact info@kloovenburg.com

Busy weekend ahead for Riebeek Valley

The weekend of 28 and 29 July promises to be an activity filled one in the Riebeek Valley.  First up we have the PPC Riebeeck Bergmarathon on Saturday 28 July, starting and finishing at the PPC Cement Plant in Riebeek West. The Riebeek Valley Country Fair will be held at the cement plant on that Saturday, so why not come and browse and support the runners at the same time? The Gallery in Riebeek Kasteel will be playing host to demonstrations by Mike Hillier’s cement sculpture students between 10 am and 3 pm, this is an absolute must see for anybody interested in art and sculpture.

Courtesy http://www.ppc.co.za/ Runners embark on the marathon



A cement sculpture by one of Mike Hillier's students



Courtesy of Groenrivier - Enjoying the market!

Sunday 29 sees the return, after a winter break, of the Groenrivier Slow Food Market. Taking place between 12pm and 4pm, the market includes kids’ entertainment, live music, loads of delicious things to buy, good local wine, handmade goods and an excellent opportunity to sit back and relax in a stunning setting for a few hours.



Courtesy of Groenrivier - Live entertainment



Courtesy of Groenrivier-Delicious things to try and buy

Courtesy of Groenrivier - a little bit of retail therapy 

The Wine Kollective

When visiting the Riebeek Valley make absolutely sure that you schedule a stop at The Wine Kollective, which is without a doubt one of the most interesting wine shops you’ll ever visit. Owned by Anton Espost, who opened the shop in 2008, it boasts a range of local (“within a two hour donkey ride of Riebeek Kasteel”) wines - some of which you’ve probably never heard of.

We are very fortunate in this area to be surrounded by some of the best vineyards in the country that have yielded wines which are innovative and receiving international recognition. You’ll find the well-known likes of Sadie Family Wines, Badenhorst Family Wines and Mullineux Family Wines in the shop and then some lesser known gems such as Nativo, Lammershoek, Nuweland and Dragonridge.  Wines are available at cellar door prices and can be delivered anywhere in the country. Wine tasting is free on weekends so it’s probably best to phone ahead to book a slot.

Courtesy http://www.thewinekollective.co.za/

The Gallery

The shopping area in Riebeek Kasteel has a new addition; The Gallery which stocks an impressive selection of works by popular local artists such as Sol Smook, Claudia Gurwitz, Robin Mann and Estelle Kenyon, as well as a collection of photos by renowned photographer Alain Proust. The Gallery situated on Main Street, Riebeek Kasteel should definitely feature on any visitor’s “to see” list. For more information contact curator, Astrid McLeod, 083 653 3697 or visit www.galleryriebeek.co.za.