Category Archives: Elgin

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 13 August

August 13, 2013

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* Good news is that the UK travel industry is seeing the first signs of recovery, after two years of a ‘meltdown‘, which severely affected the Western Cape tourism industry too!

* One third of active American travelers travel with a smart phone and a tablet, and are an important market to watch for trends, now called the ‘Digital Elite’!

* Ataraxia Serenity 2008 was the best selling wine at the recent Free State FNB Wine Show. (via media release from Ataraxia)

* Sarah Baker of Wild Peacock Emporium has moved to the wholesale division of Wild Peacock, focusing on the supply of artisanal boutique cheeses.

* French wine estate owners are being warned against fraudulent Continue reading →

Restaurant Review: De Brasserie European style food, beer, wine, and service!

On Saturday I was introduced to De Brasserie in Strand by Annette Beller-Sogor, whom I had met at an art exhibition recently and who lives in Gordon’s Bay. She raved about the excellence of the restaurant, and mentioned that it is owned by the Belgian wine family Van Almenkerk from Elgin. We found an unexpected European haven in a most unlikely town!

It was the most beautiful clear day, with the snow capped mountains of Somerset West visible from Beach Road. False Bay looked flat and one could even see Cape Point, the raised former Kaapzicht restaurant offering an excellent view. The restaurant exterior looks very modern from outside, but the restaurant name could be difficult to read, being partially blocked by beams. In smaller type size it states ‘Est 2012 by Almenkerk’, which one cannot read from the road. Having booked last minute, we were seated at the bar counter first, but were promised a table as soon as one became available.

De Brasserie is Joep van Almenkerk, who is a most amazing host, friendly, attractive, charming, attentive, and he makes one feel that he knew what was happening at each table, and that he made every Continue reading →

‘Elegantly Elgin’ Wine Route launched!

October 7, 2012

This weekend the sixteen Elgin Valley wine producers have launched a new Wine Route, which they have called ‘Elegantly Elgin’, to market the ‘superior and complex structured wines synonymous with this district’, says its media release.

Almenkerk, Arumdale, Elgin Ridge, Elgin Vintners, Hannay & Catherine Marshall Wines, Highlands Road Wines, Iona Vineyards, Lothian Wines, Mofam Wines, Oak Valley Wines, Oude Molen Brandy Distillery, Paul Cluver Wines, Shannon Vineyards, Spioenkop Wine, South Hill Wines, and Winters Drift make up the ‘Elegantly Elgin’ Wine Route. The vines in the Elgin area ‘benefit from diverse soils and cool maritime breezes which ensure perfect conditions for slow ripening. This allows the grapes to develop their intense flavours, great natural acidity, complexity and strong core of elegance’. The wines of this region are fruity, and Sauvignon Blanc, Rhine Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz wines perform well in Elgin.

To attract visitors to the new wine route, ‘Elegantly Elgin’ has arranged ‘Open Wine Weekends’, held on the first weekend of every month, from 10h00 – 17h00, starting this weekend with the theme ‘Celebration of Cool Climate Wines’. All sixteen wine estates will open their doors on these weekends, in addition to their normal operating hours, focusing on the designated theme for the open weekend. Further themes which have been planned are the following: