Rustenberg Manor House

The local launches of Google Maps and Street View reflect Google’s investment in South Africa, as well as our commitment to making the Internet more useful and relevant to South Africans.  Street View also shows South Africa’s heritage to the world, ranging from the iconic winelands to the Kruger National Park.

A world first is that Cape winelands images are featured on Street View. Right now it is possible to visit via Street View:  Bouchard Finlayson,  De Rust Estate, De Wetshof, Fairview,  Jordan Wines, Klein Constantia, Meerlust, Morgenster,  Rustenberg,  Vilafonte Vineyards and Warwick Wine Estate.

South African wine connoisseur, Juliet Cullinan, commenting on Street View and the growing importance of digital technology within South Africa’s wine industry, says:

Wine-lovers all over the world can now visit the estates of some of our leading wine domains using Street View, plan their own wine routes and buy online.  As the world’s first vineyards to be placed on Street View, South African wineries will receive great exposure and can take advantage of this new technology in innovative ways, whilst expanding tourism and their global and local customer base.

The scope for improving the online presence of wineries is huge as Richard Cheary of Afrozaar explained:

There are so many ways wine farms can utilise geo products, including the creation of virtual wine route tours, incorporating video and interviews; mobile applications, comprising travel directions and preloaded tourist information; and online bookings with specific requests.

Soon to be added to Street View are  Ataraxia Wines,  Boekenhoutskloof Winery, Constantia Glen, Glen Carlou, Groote Post, Hamilton Russell, Iona Wines, Journey’s End, Kaapzicht, Le Riche, Mont Du Toit, Mooiplaas,  Ormonde Vineyard, Raka, Rickety Bridge, Robertson Winery, Saronsberg,  Strandveld, Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Vergelegen, Villiera and Weltevrede.

Using Google Street View
In areas where Street View is available, you can see the images on Google Maps (on a PC or Internet-enabled mobile) by zooming into the lowest level, or by dragging the orange “Pegman” icon on the left-hand side of the map onto a blue highlighted street.

Google has gone to lengths to safeguard privacy while allowing all South African users to benefit from this feature. Street View only contains imagery that is already visible from public roads and features technology that blurs both faces and licence plates.  In addition, any user can easily flag images for removal that he or she considers inappropriate by clicking on “Report a problem”.  South Africa is the first country in Africa to get Street View imagery in Maps.  Street View first launched in 2007 and is currently available in 23 countries and 100 metropolitan areas worldwide, including large areas of the US, Australia, Japan, France, Italy and Spain.

To learn more about Street View, visit www.google.co.za/streetview

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Ross Gower

Ross decided at a young age to become a winemaker and qualified locally before studying at the Weinsberg Wine School in Germany. He was offered a position at a winery in New Zealand where he became head winemaker. Dougie Jooste bought the historic Constantia estate – Klein Constantia – and sought Ross out to be the winemaker there. Acheiving many awards for his wines, he revived the legendary 18th and 19th century wine Constantia, which was lauded by Napolean, Frederick the Great, Bismark and the kings of France and England. Ross crafted the modern Vin de Constance as closely as possible to the original formula from extremely ripe, unbotrystised Muscat de Frontignac grapes. This is an exquisite dessert wine which Simon van der Stel would have been proud of. More recently Ross and his wife Sally and their three sons moved to a neglected apple farm in the Elgin Valley wine ward where he planted vineyards and built a winery. One of his top wines is a Pinot Noir Brut and Ross has been known to comment:

If I could invite any person to a wine tasting at my winery I would invite Madame Bollinger, because I admire her tenacity and style in creating the Bollinger brand and more importantly – hopefully – she would bring a couple of bottles of her R.D.

Our heartfelt condolences go to all of the family and friends who remain behind.

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Santam partners with La Revue Du Vin De France and the judges of the competition are:

Christophe Durand

Owner of Vins D’Orrance.

Marc Friederich

Owner of  Chez Marc’s restaurant, Paarl, Western Cape.

Patrick Landanger

Owner and winemaker of the Domaine de la Pousse in Burgundy, Cote d’Or.

Laure Gasparotto

French journalist for the magazine Le Point and Figaro. Wine Writer.

Claude Gilois

French wine importer. Owner of Vins du Monde.

Germaine Lehodey

General Manager of Aquila Private Game Reserve.

Jean Yves Muller

Co-owner of Caveau and Headquarters restaurants.

Olivier Poels

Editor/Journalist RVF

Miguel Chan

Deluxe Brands Sommelier for Southern Sun Hotels.

Pieter De Villiers

C0-owner of Domaine Mas Angel in Faugeres.

Philippe Dietrich

Winemaker/Director of Michael Partzold Wine Services (Pty) Ltd.

Denis Garret

Chef sommelier export at Gefimag Chateau Peyrat Fourthan.

And all of the winners are:

SANTAM CLASSIC WINE TROPHY – OVERALL WINNER

Warwick Wine Estate

BEST WHITE WINE TROPHY

Hoopenburg “Integer” Chardonnay 2006

BEST RED WINE TROPHY

Vriesenhof  Pinot Noir 2007

BEST SWEET WINE TROPHY

Klein Constantia Vin De Constance 2005

GOLD MEDALS – WHITE WINES

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2009

Rudera Chenin Blanc 2008

Villiera Traditional Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2009

Vriesenhof Chardonnay 2009

GOLD MEDALS – RED WINES

Cederberg Shiraz 2008

Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage 2007

La Motte Shiraz 2008

Oal Valley Pinot Noir 2008

Reynecke Reserve Red 2007

Rietvallei Esteana 2007

Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2008

Veenwouden Classic 2006

Warwick Trilogy 2006

GQ CHOICE AWARDS

Hoopenberg “Integer” Chardonnay 2006

Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2008

Reynecke Reserve Red 2007

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Old Cape Wine Festival 2010

Here is the press release:

The one-day festival will see the largest gathering of wine producers and enthusiasts in the Far South ever. Visitors will be treated to the ultimate tasting experience with the opportunity to sample over 100 of South Africa’s best known wines. Over 20 wine producers – including some of South Africa’s most reputable and award-winning labels – will be there. These include Lazanou, Diemersfontein, Springfield, Teddy Hall, De Wetshof, Badenhorst, Cape Point Vineyards, Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia.

 

Every corner of the Cape Winelands map will be represented, including Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Robertson, Wellington, Constantia and the West Coast. Every cultivar grown in the Western Cape is also expected to be showcased, so there is definitely something for everyone. All of the wines available for tasting will be on sale at special festival prices at the Old Cape Wine Shop, while stocks last.

 

Tickets will be on sale on the day at just R40 per person tasting. This includes a wine glass, unlimited wine tastings and sumptuous food tastings. There will also be live music, scenic surroundings to relax in and entertainment for kids. Visitors are welcome anytime between 10am and 5pm and additional parking will be made available on site. There is also a Free Range Coffee Shop and restaurant for those who would like to include a delicious meal. The Blue Water Café offers fresh free range food, stunning views and a great kids’ entertainment area, so booking is essential (021 783 2007).

Adi Badenhorst

 

Organiser of the Festival and owner of the Old Cape Wine Shop, Rael Abramowitz, said: “We are very excited about the amazing response we have had – both from the wine producers attending and from the many people who are very much looking forward to enjoying the wines, the food, the music and the atmosphere at the Old Cape Wine Festival. It’s great to be able to put on a wine festival of this size in the Far South. We have many local wine enthusiasts who can now enjoy a great day out locally. With Kommetjie only being a 35 minute drive from the City Bowl, we are also looking forward to welcoming our city neighbours who will no doubt relish this leisurely day out in the country.”

Date: Saturday 6th March 2010

Time: 10h00 till 17h00

Where: Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie Road, Kommetjie

 

For more information about the Festival, call 021 783 50 54 or visit www.ocws.co.za. For more information about the many other attractions at Imhoff Farm, visit http://www.imhofffarm.co.za

 

 

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Constantia Valley Golden Oldies tasting was presented by Karl Lambour, winemaker at Constantia Glen since November 2006 and producer of  a top notch Sauvignon Blanc with a Bordeaux style blend waiting in the wings.  Dominique Hebrard of Chateaux Cheval Blanc is the winery advisor.

Constantia Valley white wines have fantastic ageing potential and  Karl mentioned as an example, a Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc being rated 5 stars in Wine Magazine 18 years after release!

The wines tasted are listed below with brief notes gathered from the comments of the wine aficionados at our table.

Steenberg Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 1996

Not a reserve wine, it presents an aromatic, floral, fragrant bouquet. On the palate there is a crisp acidity and a finish that goes on forever.

Constantia Uitsig Semillon Reserve 2003

Two different bottles were poured at our table, one screwcap and the other closed with cork. An interesting comparison revealed that the wine with a cork had aged prematurely but the wine in the screwcap bottle kept a clean freshness. The nose was forthcoming with woody cigar box notes.

Constantia Uitsig Blend 2003 – Semillon/Sauvignon

A typical Bordeaux style blend but with less oak treatment. The nose is fairly shy. A balanced wine with good aftertaste, very drinkable and a favourite at our table.

Klein Constantia Rhine Riesling 1994

This king of white grapes presented with concentrated diesel notes at first, typical of Rhine Riesling grown in a warmer environment. On the palate it is smooth, sweetish becoming dryer but retaining its fruitiness. It can easily go on for another six years.

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1992

A magnificent descendant of “Constantia” which was revered by dignitaries and aristocracy in the 18th century. Beautifully balanced and complex it is able to last a hundred years under the right conditions …… but then who wants to keep it?

Steenberg Nebbiolo 1999

The wine has a pale pinot noir like appearance with lovely cherry notes. It bursts onto the palate but with tannins which are subtle and silky and linger for ages.

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2001

This is big, spicy, food wine produced from 18 – 20 year old vines. Its beautifully integrated with soft tannins and a old aftertaste.

Steenberg Vineyards Catharina 2001

A favourite amongst the red wines tasted. It is fresh and smooth showing the Steenberg eucalyptus characteristic.

Karl’s harvest 2009 prediction is that because there was very little rain during harvest, we can expect outstanding whites and reds which are beyond reproach. This vintage is producing wines to buy and keep.

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