Charl du Plessis describes himself as a beer drinking winemaker, preferring micro-brewed Jack Black lager. This makes sense when you consider that Charl is a scratch golfer and cyclist who has completed the Cape Epic and Cape Pioneer Mountain Bike stage races several times – what better way to quench the thirst after competing.

The Spice Route winemaker, Charl Du Plessis

Chatting to Charl at the new home of the Spice Route restaurant and tasting room on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, I asked how it was that he became  a winemaker. While studying viticulture at Elsenberg  College in Stellenbosch he was intrigued by the elite group of Cellar Technology students who wore t-shirts splashed with red wine and who converted an extra dormitory into a wine tasting laboratory which only they had access to. He was soon accepted into the course as one of only 10 students and remembers drinking classic 1970′s premium wines, (which formed part of research stock for the wine making course) at inter-varsity rugby games whilst most students were drinking Black Label or Carling.

Charles Back, owner of The Spice Route winery

More recently Charl was sought out by Charles Back, Spice Route owner to create his innovative wines. Charles has this to say about Charl:

The man has enormous passion for wine and pays incredible attention to detail – with talented winemakers it’s usually either the one or the other; it’s rare to find both in one. He has an incredible affinity for the Swartland and dryland viticulture.

Charles Back is one of the originators of the Swartland revolution in South African wine culture. He bought a farm near Malmesbury in partnership with Gyles Webb of Thelema, wine writers John & Erica Platter and wine activist Jabulani Ntshangase in 1997, although he soon bought over the shares of the other partners leaving him to develope Klein Amoskuil into The Spice Route Winery.

Restaurant interior

Select blocks of 40 year-old Chenin Blanc and  Pinotage were retained and unusual to the Western Cape, Mediterraen varieties, were planted: Shiraz, Mourvedre, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Barbera, Tannat, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Carignan and Tempranillo. Viognier was established as a blending component for the rich, full-bodied, Rhone red cultivars. The Portugese grape, Souzao was also planted. These vines grow in deep composite soils without irrigation and benefit from the cool effect of the Atlantic ocean breezes. The resulting wines created by Charl and his team are of exceptional quality.

Currently these are The Spice Route wines with their prices ex cellar door:

Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – R60.00

Spice Route Chenin Blanc 2010 light – R60.00

Spice Route Chenin Blanc 2010 – R60.00

Spice Route Viognier R90.00

Spice Route Mourvedre 2008 – R75.00

Spice Route Pinotage 2009 – R90.00

Spice Route Shiraz 2008 – R90.00

Spice Route Chakalaka 2009 – R110.00

Spice Route Syrah 2007 – R210.00

Spice Route Malabar 2006 – R350.00

My favourites? The flagship Syrah 2007 and Malabar 2006. The Viognier too is utterly delightful and a great friend of food.

Flagship wine, Malabar 2007

Visiting the new Spice Route restaurant with fellow bloggers last week I was amazed at how busy it was with large groups of diners and that after being open for only a couple of weeks. Relishing Chef Philip Pretorious’ cured linefish marinated in citrus with Szechuan pepper and wasabi mousse, and the traditional Indian butter chicken with rice pilaf, fresh roti and espresso foam, makes it easy to see why foodies are talking about this exciting new destination.

All of The Spice Route wines are served by the glass in the restaurant and there is no markup. From the tasting room a Sommelier Tasting of 6 wines is on offer for R35.00 per person and a deluxe tasting of 9 wines with samples of the dishes served in the restaurant for R90.00 per person.

Set to become The Biscuit Mill On Steroids, this family lifestyle venue will also be home to Jack Black Micro Brewery, a glass blowing studio and DV Artisan Chocolates.

The Spice Route Wines are sold at Caroline’s Fine Wine Shops and also at Makro if you need them in a hurry. Why not rather take the N1 out of Cape Town and visit the relaxing destination which has been created around these special wines?