Tag Archives: Cobblers Hill

Jordan Winery celebrates 21st anniversary, now rolling (in) the dough at The Bakery @ Jordan!

Jordan Winery tasting in cellar Whale Cottage PortfolioJordan Wine Estate celebrated its 21 st anniversary of winemaking in its cellar last week, a surprise addition to the event, which had invited us to the launch of their deli.

Tables had been set up in the cellar, a cool space on a hot Stellenbosch day, and Gary Jordan took us through the history of Jordan, the wine farm having been in the family’s ownership for 30 years.  Gary said that they are a hands-on family, his late mom having helped to pick grapes and driving the truck.  Over the 30 year period they rebuilt the worker cottages, planted the vineyards, built their own house, built the cellar, and the restaurant, which opened in 2009 with Chef George Jardine at the helm, the same year in which they opened High Timber in London with Neleen Strauss.  Both Gary and his wife KathyJordan Winery Gary Jordan Whale Cottage Portfolio completed a Masters in Winemaking in California. The late Tony Mossop and Allan Mullins were saluted for encouraging the Jordans to do the course and in their winemaking.

Over time they have added four pockets of neighbouring land, now with a total of 165 ha, of which 105ha  is planted with vines.  The pay-off line at the end of the slide show said: ‘Celebrating 21 years of synergy between soul and soil‘. Continue reading →

Top Cape wines to be served to Prince Harry at charity dinner!

Jordan Estate and Graham Beck wines will be served at the Sentebale Gala Dinner at Summer Place in Johannesburg next Wednesday, launching a fundraising programme to build the Mamohato Centre for children and young persons in Lesotho.  Guest of honour will be Prince Harry.

The new Mamohato Centre is named after Lesotho’s late Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, and will be built on what is said to be the birthplace of the Lesotho people.   The Centre will care for young persons whose lives have been affected by HIV, to build their self-confidence and improve their quality of life.

Prince Harry set up the Sentebale charity in 2006, in honour of his late mother Princess Diana and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso’s mother, the late Queen Mamohato.  Princess Diana was well-known for her charity work, especially for AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention.

Graham Beck Wines is the official Cap Classique sponsor for the Sentebale Gala Dinner, while Jordan will sponsor their Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2011, the Cobblers Hill 2009, and the Mellifera Noble Late Harvest 2011.

POSTSCRIPT 24/2: The Sunday Times reports today that Prince Harry’s girlfriend Cressida Bonas has accompanied the Prince on his visit, and may attend the dinner with him. ‘Top Billing’ presenter Bonang Matheba, wearing a Gavin Rajah creation encrusted with Swarovski crystals, will be the hostess for the evening, and singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka will entertain the 250 guests. ‘A five-course feast with an African feel’ will be served by caterer Vicky Crease, and will include crocodile, Karoo rack of lamb, and pistachio mousse.  Prince Harry may stay on to attend the South African wedding of Sir Richard Branson’s son Sam to the half-sister of Prince Harry’s girlfriend, Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, in two weeks time.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage