The Burger.

My son and his partner Chantal sending a MMS to her mom in KZN. Wonderful weather with a bit of wind at the end. As first time we rode the Burger on this route we got stumped by the old Helshoogte pass. We did make it in the end. Had a good ride and then a long day left to relax and cook lamb shanks for supper. Then some nice red wine with the shanks.

Franschhoek bubbly festival.

Food to die for and then the bubbly. My best combination of the day was Weltevreden Philip Jonkers bubbly . The Philip Jonker Brut Cap Classique first the 4 star Platter Entheos no vintage then the Ring tree and a half star 07, Alethia three star 07 and the Lindelize NV three star rose bubbly.
My second one was Andre 2004 Cup Classic on the lees for six years what a wonderfull bubbly. Dont forget about the band lovely music to sit and relax to and drink bubbly.

Tasting at Eagles Nest.

Today we drove to Constantia to go and tast wine at Klein Constantia on the way there we drove past Eagles Nest and saw it was open. We went in and discovered the most wonderfull wines. Interesting Sav. Blanc made from grapes from Durbanville and Lutzville need more time in the bottle and will develop into a realy nice wine. The Viognier is realy special so is the Little Eagle a blend of Merlot Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Very good value for money. The Shiraz is realy there best red wine. Could not tast at Klein Constantia because they had a 80th birthday party coming up.

Weekend in Slanghoek.

Deetlefs was the first wine farm where we had a tasting. We set the motion detecter alarm off as we arrived at 10 to 10. Luckily the owner came to switch it off. We had a wonderful tasting with him. Then we were off to Slanghoek mountain resort. What an interesting setup with an Afrikaans man that totally think out the box. The dam with the wood houses is on his farm where you can really go and relax. Fish for trout and hike or ride your mountain bike. Then we went to Opstal where we had a nice tasting with the owner and winemaker's son. Very nice and interesting wines. Had a lovely meal and then off to Slanghoek cellar. Here we got the chance to make a red wine blend and had it bottled and labelled to take home. Slanghoek really make some good wines. Enjoyed the tasting. Now back to the Buchukloof guesthouse to go to The Opstal for supper and Frank Opperman's Rooi Kaart. Sunday morning lovely hearty breakfast and then on a drive with Kosie to their stone house up on the mountain. Unfortunately it was now pouring with rain and the mountains were covered in clouds. Back at the house we left to go and have lunch at Jason's Hill. Lovely meal and nice wine tasting and then back to Cape Town via Bainskloof pass. What a wonderful weekend.

Weard plants and picnick.

Having some Cederburg Savy and Fairview goats chease al Elandskloof; end of a good day.

Ideal Shiraz soil at the top of Elandskloof.

The Koue Bokkeveld.

Cederburg to Ceres drive.

What a wonderfull tasting at Cederburg. The tasting assistant highly knowledgableb about there product. Took a drive from there to Ceres and back over the mountain to Citrusdal via Elandskloof.