{"id":24517,"date":"2011-09-12T08:57:47","date_gmt":"2011-09-12T06:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whalecottage.com\/blog\/?p=24517"},"modified":"2011-09-20T21:35:29","modified_gmt":"2011-09-20T19:35:29","slug":"hermanus-wine-route-is-heaven-on-earth-in-hemel-en-aarde-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/wine-news\/hermanus-wine-route-is-heaven-on-earth-in-hemel-en-aarde-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"Hermanus Wine Route is heaven on earth in Hemel en Aarde valley!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I had the most heavenly experience, visiting the little-known and relatively new Hermanus Wine Route with outstanding wine estates located in\u00a0the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Valley outside Hermanus recently, on a perfect warm winter’s day.<\/p>\n

As a guest house owner in Hermanus, I stopped at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau and at the Village Wine Shop, in search of a\u00a0map of the wine estates in the area.\u00a0 I was most surprised that both stops could only offer me the ‘2011 Overberg Wine: Cape South Coast’<\/em> booklet, which lists wine estates in the broader Overberg district, including Hermanus.\u00a0 Our experience is that a wine map, such as that of Franschhoek,\u00a0is a handy way to explore a wine route. \u00a0 I drove to the furthest wine estate on the Hemel en Aarde Road, to start my winetasting journey at Creation, of which I have heard such good things, and then made my way back towards Hermanus. It was at Creation that I received a number of A4 copies of the brand new Hermanus Wine Route map. I did not manage to visit all 17 wine estates, as my stay in Hermanus was cut short due to an emergency which necessitated my return to Cape Town.\u00a0 I have provided contact details, and impressions of the estates which I visited:<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Creation:<\/strong> Dynamic husband-and-wife team Swiss-born JC and Carolyn Martin (daughter of Walter Finlayson) are producing excellent artisanal, terroir-driven wines at the foot of the Babylons Toren mountain range, on 22 ha, 350 meters above sea level, 7 km from the Atlantic Ocean, in conjunction with Swiss winemaker Christoph Kaser.\u00a0 The last 7 km is on gravel road, and the province has promised to prioritise the tarring of this road connecting Caledon and Hermanus. \u00a0The tasting room staff is headed by Joanne Kuhn, who used to be the Manager of the Hermanus Tourism Bureau. \u00a0She is a friendly, chatty and informative hostess, supported by Pamela. \u00a0 The tasting room is also the restaurant, with an interesting collection of tables (made from wine crates, and some from floorboards) and Biedermeier chairs, in different colours. \u00a0I loved the chandelier made from sparkling wine glasses. Works of art (e.g. by Jaco Sieberhagen, Jeanette Unite, Leon M\u00fcller) are an interesting part of the tasting room, and are for sale. The view onto the mountain range is amazing, and Joanne told me that it is 80 meters higher than Table Mountain. \u00a0 The wine estate uses Social Media actively, being on Twitter, Facebook, and having a Blog. \u00a0Its range of wines includes Creation (Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc\/Semillon, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Merlot\/Cabernet Sauvignon\/Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Syrah\/Grenache), \u00a0Whale Pod (which we stock in our Honesty Bar), and Shark Alley (created in conjunction with White Shark Projects). \u00a0 Creation is part of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, and its A3 information sheet printed on recycled paper says the wine estate stands for ‘Original, distinctive flavours. \u00a0Exceptional, harmonious matches’. \u00a0Creation has teamed up with chefs Anli and Andre van Vuuren of Season restaurant in Hermanus, to offer a small menu. A wine pairing menu is offered at R90, consisting of Asian salmon dumpling with aubergine and goat’s milk cheese canneloni, paired with Creation Sauvignon Blanc; spicy chicken and apricot satay is paired with Creation Viognier; cauliflower soup is paired with Creation Merlot; springbok rillete with cherry jelly is paired with Creation Merlot\/Cabernet Sauvignon\/Petit Verdot blend; chorizo espanadita with duck and sour cherry pie is paired with Creation Syrah; and bobotie spring roll, beef carpaccio, and prune chutney is paired with Creation Syrah\/Grenache blend. \u00a0 Should one just wish to taste wines, there is no charge. \u00a0One can order Creation wines with a meal, at R 20,50 – R 40 per glass, or R79,50 – R159 per bottle. \u00a0The information sheet details the food suppliers used, including Nouvelle Mushrooms, Chocolates by Tomes, Richard Bosman’s cured meats, Adamskloof olive oil from the same property, and Camphill Bakery. Monday – Saturday 10h00 – 17h00, Sunday 10h00 – 16h00. Tel (028) 212-1107. www.creationwines.com<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Jakob’s Vineyards<\/strong> – Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blend. ‘Passion, excellence and simplicity’ <\/em>form the\u00a0foundation of this wine estate. \u00a0Located next door to Creation, tastings by appointment only. \u00a0Tel (028) 371-5686. www.jakobsvineyards.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Domaine des Dieux<\/strong> – located next door to Creation, tasting by appointment and at La Vierge restaurant. \u00a0Tel (028) 313-2126. www.domainedesdieux.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Mount Babylon<\/strong> – SMV (Shiraz, Mourvedre, Viognier blend). Located next door to Creation, tastings by appointment. \u00a0Tel 084 511 8180. www.mountbabylon.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Ataraxia<\/strong> – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Serenity. \u00a0Located just before Creation. \u00a0Wine tasting Monday – Friday 9h00 – 16h00, Saturday 10h00 – 15h30. \u00a0Tel (028) 212-2007. www.ataraxiawines.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 La Vierge Collection<\/strong> – private cellar, with tasting and sales at La Vierge restaurant, not on same property. \u00a0La Vierge Noir, Original Sin Sauvignon Blanc, The Last Temptation Riesling, Satyricon Italian blend, Nymphomane Bordeaux blend, Shiraz, and Chardonnay. \u00a0Tel (028) 313-0130. www.lavierge.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Spookfontein<\/strong> – Merlot, Phantom Bordeaux blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. \u00a0Wines made using ‘Old-World techniques with New-Age attitude’<\/em>. \u00a0Organic and single vineyard wines. \u00a0Tasting by appointment. \u00a0Tel 082 265 1071. \u00a0No website.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Newton Johnson Vineyards<\/strong> – the only wine estate of those that I visited that was seemingly disinterested in providing information and doing a tasting.\u00a0 I arrived at 15h20, forty minutes before closing time,\u00a0 and I got the feeling that everything was packed away already.\u00a0 There was no wine in the counter, and the tasting room was extremely bare, with only one couch. \u00a0Lisa, the tasting room lady, told me that due to cash flow problems, that is the only furniture that the winery can afford!\u00a0\u00a0 First wines were made by Dave Newton Johnson, with sons Bevan and Gordon, in 1997.\u00a0 Natural methods are used in the winemaking, including hand-picking grapes, yeast is not added to the fermentation, using gravity, no chemicals added, with soft extraction, creating wines with a ‘purity of flavour and natural expression’<\/em>. \u00a0Newton Johnson Domaine Range (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), Newton Johnson range (Resonance, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah Mouvedre), and Felicit\u00e9 Range (No Oak Chardonnay, Dry Ros\u00e9, Pinot Noir). \u00a0New Patron Chef Stefan Louw has taken over Heaven Restaurant, with a heavenly setting. \u00a0Lunches only currently, but will open for dinner in season. \u00a0 Interesting menu, and all starters and main courses have a Newton Johnson wine recommendation. \u00a0Monday – Friday 9h00 – 16h00, Saturday 10h00 – 14h00. \u00a0www.newtonjohnson.com<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Sumaridge<\/strong> – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Maritimus, Merlot Ros\u00e9, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Syrah and Epitome. \u00a0\u00a0Monday – Sunday 10h00 – 15h00. www.sumaridge.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Bouchard Finlayson<\/strong> – Peter Finlayson was the first winemaker in this valley. \u00a0Blanc de Mer, Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Kaaimansgat Limited Chardonnay, Sans Barrique Chardonnay, Hannibal, Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, and T\u00eate de Cuv\u00e9e Pinot Noir. \u00a0Monday – Friday 9h30 – 17h00, Saturday 9h30 – 12h30. \u00a0Tel (028) 312-3515 \u00a0www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Ashbourne<\/strong> – part of the Hamilton Russell collection. \u00a0Tasting by appointment. \u00a0Sales via Southern Right. \u00a0Tel (028) 312-3595. \u00a0No website.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Hamilton Russell Vineyards <\/strong>– one of the best-known wine estates in this valley, owned by Anthony Hamilton Russell, and synonymous with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. \u00a0Monday – Friday 9h00 – 17h00, Saturday 9h00 – 13h00. \u00a0Tel (028) 312-3595. \u00a0No website.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Southern Right<\/strong> – also part of Hamilton Russell collection, and co-owned by Mark Wilcox. \u00a0\u00a0Stocked by Whale Cottage Honesty Bar. \u00a0Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. 33000 olive trees on farm. \u00a0Paintings by Olive Hamilton Russell, with earthy textures created by mixing paint and soil from the farm. \u00a0Big quartz from farm in the tasting room, representing the quartz in the sandstone soils. \u00a0Tasting room has brown earthy decor. \u00a0Very friendly and informative manager Elmarie Pretorius. \u00a0Sell Southern Right Eucalyptus honey too. \u00a0Meat and cheese platters available in summer. \u00a0Monday – Friday 9h00 – 17h00, Saturday 9h00 – 13h00. \u00a0No website. Tel (028) 312-1318. \u00a0Independently operated Deli on property, Tuesday – Sunday 9h00 – 15h00.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Whalehaven<\/strong> – Whalehaven Pinot Noir, Merlot, Old Harbour; The Idiom Collection Idiom Cape, Viognier, Sangiovese, Zinfandel. \u00a0Monday – Friday 9h00 – 17h00, Saturday and Sunday 10h30 – 16h30. \u00a0Tel (028) 316-1633. www.whalehaven.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Hermanuspietersfontein :<\/strong> Located in the Hemel en Aarde Village, the modern wine cellar\u00a0building is visible as one comes into Hermanus. Well-known venue for its Saturday morning Food\u00a0 & Wine Market with interesting products and Hermanuspietersfontein wines, and for the excellent and creative Afrikaans -dominated marketing of its wines.\u00a0 Probably has the longest wine brand name in the country, being the original name of Hermanus, but frequently abbreviated to HPF.\u00a0\u00a0 Winemaker Bartho Eksteen is highly regarded for Sauvignon Blanc, and won the 2010 Diners’ Club Winemaker of the Year Award. \u00a0He only makes wines that he likes, the brochure says!\u00a0 They commit to “produce terroir-driven wines of the highest quality, focusing on Sauvignon Blancs and Rh\u00f4ne and Bordeaux-style blends. We are intent on adding value to the Walker Bay reputation as South Africa’s premium cool climate wine-producing region”.<\/em> Wine range includes Bloos (‘blush wine’), Sonner Nommer (Sauvignon Blanc), Swartskaap (Cabernet Franc), 1855 Posmeester (Bordeaux-style blend), Kleinboet (Bordeaux-style blend), Nr 3 Sauvignon Blanc, Die Bartho (Sauvignon Blanc blend), Nr. 5 Sauvignon Blanc, Die Arnoldus\u00a0 (Bordeaux-style blend), Nr 7 Sauvignon Blanc, and Die Martha (Rh\u00f4ne-style Shiraz dominant blend).\u00a0 Open Monday – Friday 9h00 – 17h00, Saturday 9h00 – 16h00.\u00a0 Tel (028) 316-1875.\u00a0 www.hpf1855.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Benguela Cove<\/strong>: \u00a0Open Monday – Friday 9h30 – 17h00, Saturday 10h00 – 14h00.\u00a0 Tel 087 754 8650. www.benguelacove.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

Guest houses in Hermanus would love\u00a0their guests to spend more than one night in Hermanus, and to come to Hermanus, even when there are no whales (December – April).\u00a0\u00a0 The Hermanus Wine Route is an ideal way to enhance the tourist experience of Hermanus, in experiencing its excellent quality wines and friendly wine estates.\u00a0 One would like to see far more marketing of the Hermanus Wine Route, helping the tourism industry of Hermanus as well as the wine estates themselves.\u00a0 The Hermanus Wine Route map has an empty back, which could contain valuable information about the wines made by each wine estate, to help one select which wine estates to visit.\u00a0 Information about the restaurants on the estates should also be listed.\u00a0 The opening hours of some of the wine estates should also be extended, to be as uniform as possible on the Wine Route, and to be open as late as possible (some close as early as 2 pm!). The Hermanus Wine Route map should be made available at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau, the Wine Village wine shop, and at guest houses in the area. \u00a0In the Hermanus Info booklet it is surprising that the first reference to the Hermanus Wine Route (they call it the ‘Wine Wander<\/em>‘) is two-thirds into the booklet!<\/p>\n

Hermanus Wine Route<\/strong>, Hemel en Aarde Valley, Hermanus. \u00a0Tel (028) 316-2761. www.hermanuswine.com<\/a> Twitter: @HermanusWine<\/p>\n

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: \u00a0www.whalecottage.com<\/a> Twitter: @WhaleCottage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I had the most heavenly experience, visiting the little-known and relatively new Hermanus Wine Route with outstanding wine estates located in\u00a0the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Valley outside Hermanus recently, on a perfect warm winter’s day. As a guest house owner in Hermanus, I stopped at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau and at the Village Wine Shop, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[124,75,21,19],"tags":[13250,13247,13260,2505,394,13239,8848,13265,8666,1591,2506,13249,421,13251,32378,13240,2521,13257,13264,13252,13288,2381,13263,32369,13259,129,2721,13258,2501,32377,13266,595,13235,3438,13242,2523,13238,13243,13241,13255,13253,13244,13262,2522,13256,12256,13261,3250,13237,11045,429,13,9456,13248,13246,32395,457,2519,13254,2509,4,1587,13236,2245,9,32373,13245,2993,572,8849,13267],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t