It was written somewhere that the chief reason for South Africa’s European colonization was food and wine. I’m not going to agree with that. But rather use the alluring and romantic notion of it to say. If that were to be true.Β Then it was a statement tailor-made for the group of individuals that I had the pleasure of hosting for 5 days. The Wine Tour Group from Mauritius, literally two weeks before lockdown.Β
I had 12 Mauritians for a little shy of a week. Wine lovers are keen enthusiasts who meet every week and learn about wine. Led on a tour by their Mr Ram who was the head of Food and Beverage at the Mauritian Hotel School.Β And is the Wine group wine teacher in Mauritius. This group was made up of individuals from different walks of life, professions, and cultural heritage (German, Chinese, and Indian to name but a few).Β Coming together weekly to enjoy and appreciate wine, But finally decided to take it up a notch and indulge in the best of what the Cape Winelands could offer them.
What better way to start them than taking them to Cape Town’s Pinot Noir haven – Hemel en Aarde Valley – which translates as Heaven and Earth Valley. An early 815 AM departure from Stellenbosch Lodge. The weather was overcast and slightly windy. We traveled on the N2 national highway toward Hermanus. Everyone was excited to taste their first glass of wine!Β
First destination Hemel en Aarde Valley and proceeded to our first wine farm for the day. The elegant yet laid-back Bouchard Finlayson. Before entering the tasting room, we spent some time walking through the vineyards.Β Then up to where the grapes were crushed and fermented. The group was able to meet the winemaker himself.Β Who took us through and explained the processes of the stage where the farm was at with their yield.
By this time everyone’s lips were begging to taste the wine and so we moved into the tasting room and were met by Danielle. It is at this point I leave my guests in the hands of someone else to look after them and I am so happy and fortunate to leave them in the capable hands of Danielle.
And so the tasting began!
Now while the tasting is going on outside and everyone is experiencing an array of changes to their taste buds so too is the weather experiencing a change in an array of conditions! From what started as an overcast slightly gusty day changed into an absolute scorcher! That is Cape Town for you – 4 seasons in one day!
Now it was time to leave Bouchard Finlayson and traverse our way through the hills of the valley to our next destination for a food and wine pairing lunch. I have to pause for a second here and explain something – this is a group of wine enthusiasts that enjoy, appreciate, and respect their wine, having said that I don’t think my group was ready for the seduction awaiting them at Creation Wine Farm!
A little about how Creation Wine Farm goes about its business: All meat is locally sourced, all ingredients are locally grown and every member in the restaurant is of the highest calibre that any establishment would be lucky to have. And that’s just the restaurant. 7 food courses are each carefully designed and cooked to perfection. Coupled with meticulously paired wines this culminates in a recipe of unbridled decadence. My group was looked after by Pamela. I need to pause here for a second to illustrate and explain the level of professional craftmanship I was greeted with by Pamela. Here is the perfect write-up about this delicious experience – Click Here
I am on a tight schedule whether it’s a small or big group, I wanted to squeeze in a surprise visit to an extra farm on the way to our last stop and I explained this to Pamela, she explained that she needs as much time as possible for the group to savor the experience as its something to be nurtured and enjoyed at the right pace. And on that note, I knew my group was in the right hands and agreed with her. When done properly, less is more.
This brings us to Hamilton Russell vineyards our third and final stop for the day. Don’t let looks deceive you, this is minimalism at its finest. An understated tasting room with a beautiful calming view of the lake surrounded by huge trees backed up with exquisite wine.
Chantal looked after us and had the group hanging onto her every word. Expertise, passion, and a healthy dose of humor from Chantal. Was the perfect way to end off the day. With purchases made at all of the wine vineyards from the day, I wondered if the airline was going to handle this extra “luggage”. This Mauritius Wine Group was shopping for excellent wines!Β
If ever as a guide you need to know where you think you stand with your group.Β You know things are going in the right direction when the Mauritius wine group is laughing already! Sien-Sien asked me what is it with the Germans and ending their sentences with a verb. Much like Afrikaans – a distant derivative of the German language. Sentences tend to end in verbs too. Sien-Sien couldn’t help herself from mocking poor Brigitte when Brigitte was asking Sien-Sien to turn the air-con not on!
And so came to end of the first day of our Mauritian Wine Group’s first adventure together. We decided to go the coastal route home and try to catch the sunset which we did in Gordons Bay. Along the way, I think Creation Vineyard paved the way for some Tunes.Β We played music and we danced and sang our way along the coast home.Β While a few others napped. Like, Mr. Ram, Harri, and PravinΒ
A great day, with amazing wines, delicious food, wonderful weather, and a gorgeous sunset all of which was glued together by the most important ingredient, the people experiencing it. What an amazing wine group from Mauritius!Β
At Guided Cape Town Tours, we believe that travel is about immersing yourself in the local culture, discovering hidden gems, and connecting with the locals.
