Safari style wine evening with “young guns”
Join Howard Booysen, Jurgen Gouws, Craig Hawkins and Johan Meyer as they present their wines at this unusual evening. None of these winemakers own their own vineyards, they each source grapes from the areas that have ignited their passion and are deftly crafting wines in borrowed spaces and using natural processes. We guarantee the wines will be full of surprises!
Chef Roland has donned his bush hat to whip up a four course dinner with each course carefully paired with one of the outstanding wines these bright young winemakers have produced. The winemakers will also offer post dinner tastings of their additional wine labels.
A journey of discovery with young winemakers who are making their mark with their innovative principles.
Howard Booysen has been mentored by the finest and his approach to wine and his ideas place him firmly as a "guide" in this wine journey. Working with the more old fashioned varietals such as Riesling and Cinsault guests will enjoy his HB Riesling 2011. Howard sees these older varietals as opportunities for the modern wine drinker. Knowing the Riesling varietal well, and with his passion for food, aromas and age-able wines, he was convinced that Riesling was what he needed to make. His debut vintage saw him receiving accolades in Australia, South Africa and across the world, underlining his confidence in this varietal.
"JH Meyer Signature Wines" sprang into existence in 2011. Using his extensive experience of producing some of the best wines in the world, Johan Meyer put his knowledge to the test by crafting 1000 bottles of Pinot Noir which achieved best in its class. Guests will enjoy the Pinot Noir 2011 vintage with the dinner. Now he has launched his own company and, as a small boutique wine producer of hand crafted natural wines he selects grapes from small vineyards in the south coast region of South Africa. Operating out of Meerhof Winery in Riebeek Casteel and part of the Swartland Revolution, Johan's pedigree is enviable - his enthusiasm unrivalled and his wines sublime.
Jurgen Gouws worked a stint with Eben Sadie in 2008 and found his passion in the Swartland bush vine! These "struggle" vines are old bush vines aged between 35 and 65 years and Jurgen maintains that these old, well established vines help to keep the structure and purity of the wine with no additives the natural processes ensure a fine taste. Under the label Intellego he will be showcasing the red blend of Syrah and Mouvedre. For Jurgen the term "winemaking" doesn't exist - he guides the wine in a certain direction without interference allowing the natural processes to do the rest.
The very special Cellar Foot Straw Wine 2010 by Craig Hawkins from Lammershoek will be the perfect complement to the dessert. With its intriguing honey tones this is a dessert wine that can be laid down for more than 20 years. The clean line of natural acidity punches its way through the sweetness. The wine is made from Chenin Blanc grapes on farmed dryland with no irrigation. Each vineyard block is treated according to its strengths and weaknesses and the vines are farmed organically. Craig's ultimate goal is to use biodynamic principles that suit the soils and the climate.
Passion, youth and working with nature are the common threads with all of these wines so if you are looking for an unusual evening - this Safari is a journey to embark on.
Date: 26 October
Time: 7pm
Dinner: R365 p/p
Accommodation: B&B: R1665 p/room p/night
Bookings: 021 863 5100 az.oc.ehcorednarg@enitsirhc
Christmas novelty calendar
Date: 26 October 2012Time: 19:30 - 22:30
Venue: The Grande Roche Hotel, Paarl
Cost: R365 per person
More info:
Plantasie Street
Paarl