Cape Weekly Digest | Saturday, 29th May, 2021
Curated roundup of local news & events for Wine & Travel
Welcome to the latest issue of The Wine Tarte – the newsletter that keeps you updated every week with bitesize news from around Cape Town.
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Tourism Roundup
SANParks launches a new ‘group travel’ scheme with discounts and payment plans - South African National Parks (SANParks) has launched an exciting new product for Stokvels & Travel Clubs that will offer special payment terms and discounted rates at selected National Parks on particular dates…….. article via My City By Night
Cape Town’s trendy Infusion on Long gets creative with cannabis - Bustling Long Street in the heart of the Mother City is home to one of its trendiest restaurants, Infusion on Long. It’s recently been revamped and now offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu infused with CBD…….. article via Cape Town Magazine
Western Cape commits to biodiversity conservation with Edinburgh Declaration - Efforts to promote biological diversity conservation in the Western Cape received a boost on the weekend when the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and MEC Anton Bredell signed the Edinburgh Declaration on Biological Diversity Day…….. article via IOL
South Africa nominated in various categories at 2021 World Travel Awards - Last year, the Maldives cemented its reputation as the definitive secluded sanctuary to win the World’s Leading Destination for the first time. Now, Table Mountain, Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront have been nominated among the likes of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt…….. article via The South African
From a kitchen in Strandfontein to cooking a feast for Federer - Shanon Peters probably didn’t have any idea, when he was out fetching ingredients for his mom back in Strandfontein, he would one day end up cooking for the royalty of the tennis world- Roger Federer, Serena and Venus Williams…….. article via Cape Town ETC
WC calls for remote working visa to boost tourism - In a bid to make Cape Town and the Western Cape a top destination during the pandemic the province wants a new visa introduced…….. article via Cape Talk 702
For the love of local: Three Wine Farms Create a Space for SA Artisans to Shine - These wine estates are putting SA makers at the forefront of their retail offerings: Boschendal, Groot Constantia & Plaisir…….. article via Wanted Online
Recipe For Autumn
Ease into winter with Constantia Glen red wine & French onion soup - Sink your spoon into a rich bowl of Constantia Glen’s classic French onion soup paired perfectly with their elegant Bordeaux-style reds. Recipe can be found on The Wine Tarte
Local Events
Introductory Book Repair Course - Do you love your old, neglected hardcover books, and wish you could master the art of repairing them properly? Then book repair specialist George Wentzel’s courses at the Afrikaans Language Museum and Monument (ATM) in Paarl are once again the answer to your dreams.
Venue: Afrikaans Language Museum and Monument (ATM), Paarl
Date/Time: 28 June – June 30 from 9AM to 4PM
Cost: R2 000p.p., bookings via bemarking2@taalmuseum.co.za
A New Bloom – Wellness Day - Escape Events hosts a wellness day at the Radisson Red Hotel including a morning of yoga, running and a DJ. Escape your daily routine at ‘A New Bloom‘ – get your legs moving by entering a 5 or 10km run and/or flex and stretch your body with a 45min Vinyasa flow yoga class on Radisson’s iconic rooftop, complete with breathtaking city views – all levels welcome!
Venue: Radisson Red Hotel
Date/Time: 29 May, from 8am
Cost: Escape Run and Yoga R200 | Yoga R160 | Escape Run R160
Amagokra and Curlew River - Cape Town Opera presents a double bill of Amagokra and Curlew River, two contrasting one-act operas conducted by Jeremy Silver and directed by Christine Crouse, with designs by Linda Mandela.
Venue: Cape Town Opera, Novalis Ubuntu Institute
Date/Time: 5 June, from 7pm
Cost: R300pp, tickets available through Computicket
Online Reading of Neil Coppen’s HAMLET - Theatre enthusiasts have the rare opportunity to experience a professional, rehearsed reading of a new version of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, Hamlet, adapted and directed by Coppen.
Venue: Online, KKNK
Date/Time: 31 May, 6pm
Cost: Free
Winter of Wander at Durbanville Hills - In this series, the winemaking team showcases how the cool climate red wines reflect the unique terroir by matching the Durbanville Hills Collector’s Reserve range with the diverse food flavours of Northern Portugal.
Venue: Durbanville Hills Winery
Date/Time: 10 June, 7PM
Cost: R350pp
Vintage & Vine Faire - Tulbagh has a rare collection of Cape Dutch architecture which makes it ideal for this kind of event, which also promotes the region’s wines, olives and handmade products. Visitors get to meet the winemakers and other team members who see the wine from vine to bottle.
Venue: Morgansvlei Country Estate
Date/Time: 29 May, 10AM to 4PM
Cost: R100pp, +27 23 230 1348, info@tulbaghtourism.co.za
Community Shout Outs & Local Listings
The Homestead on Hazendal Estate - Visitors to Hazendal Estate in the Stellenbosch Winelands have yet another reason to linger a while longer, with the long-awaited opening of The Homestead, a luxurious exclusive-use 5-bedroom Cape Dutch home set in the heart of this historic Cape farm. Contact Details & Map
Klawer Wyn's African Ruby Rooibos Vermouth is a unique South African product. It is a fortified wine with muscat tones, infused with indigenous rooibos and buchu which have many healing properties. Great for gifting! Contact Details & Map
Simon’s Town - a name that every Capetonian knows, it’s a stunning place to spend an afternoon as well as an ideal place for a weekend getaway (at The Grosvenor Simons Town!) So why not book your stay today? Contact Details & Map
Diemersdal Wine - Only eight rows of vines in a premium Sauvignon Blanc vineyard were given to Thys Louw when he first joined his father, Tienie. These eight rows, still used today, and Thys’ years of experience, have resulted in a captivating wine that is still the stuff of legends. Contact Details & Map
Cypress Cottage Guest House - is a majestic, unique, small family-run bed and breakfast accommodation in the centre of Swellendam. It has long enjoyed a storied past in this historically rich Overberg town. Contact Details & Map
Kiff Kombi Tours is definitely one for the bucket list - Kiff Kombi Tours was founded by Drew Campbell, a South African-born Australian who moved to Australia with his family at a very young age. Campbell always had a deep connection with his country and had a dream of returning to live here permanently. Contact Details & Map
Du Kloof Lodge has been awarded the title of “Most breathtaking venue in the Western Cape” by UK Lux Life Global Wedding Awards 2021, and rightfully so! This unique estate, venue and lodge near Paarl is surrounded by mountains that will literally take your breath away. Contact Details & Map
Bartholomeus Klip: Exceptional Hospitality at a Farmstead in the Riebeek Valley - Fit for royalty, this farmhouse in the Elandsberg Nature Reserve is drenched in history. Like a scene straight out of The Crown, Bartholomeus Klip (or BK as it is affectionately known) is a charming Victorian-era homestead situated on a working wheat and sheep farm amid the 10 000-hectare Elandsberg Nature Reserve. Contact Details & Map
Orchard to bottle – the core of Loxtonia Cider from the Ceres Valley - The true essence of the apple from ‘orchard to bottle’ is the promise of every Loxtonia Cider made with hand-picked apples from the Ceres Valley. Contact Details & Map
Community Vacancies
Assistant Management Couple - A stunning 4* Lodge located on a working Ostrich Farm in the Western Cape, is looking for a couple who will manage the property when International clientele begin to return to South Africa (Anticipated July/August/September 2021). To apply contact Angela Aveyard on +27 011 789 3337 quote LS-82198-1012
Hotel General Manager - The hotel, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the wine region around Stellenbosch, is a 4-star venue in a fantastic location. They are looking for a candidate to manage economic, financial and operational management of the hotel. Login and upload your CV to Lodge Staff
Sales, Marketing & Events Coordinator - A candidate is required to manage the sales, strategic planning and administration of all revenue streams. Contribute to the sales team promotional activity plan and share in the responsibility for achieving revenue targets. Apply through Bamboo HR
Fine Dining Restaurant Waiters - An iconic wine estate restaurant located outside Stellenbosch, is seeking dynamic and experienced front of house employees. Apply through LinkedIn
Assistant Winemaker/Administrator - Our client, based within the Stellenbosch region, is looking for a Winemakers Assistant/Administrator to join their team. Someone who thoroughly enjoys administrative duties as well as exposure to the winemaking side of things will thrive in this role. Apply through Cardoso Recruitment
General Manager for 5 star Boutique Hotel - We are looking for an experienced General Manager to run a well-known, 5 star Boutique Hotel located close to V&A Waterfront and Cape Town’s pristine beaches. To apply for this position, please send CV in WORD document with recent photo and contactable references through Job Placements
Cape Wine News
If it's good enough for Napoleon, it sure is good enough for this buyer at wine auction - An extremely rare bottle of wine that was said to be Napoleon Bonaparte’s favourite, fetched nearly half a million rand on auction in Stellenbosch on Saturday. The bottle, an 1821 Grand Constance made at the famous Groot Constantia estate, sold for R420,000 at the Cape Rare and Fine Wine auction…….. article via Times Live
Bumper Cape Wine Harvest, with Top Quality to Boot - Wine lovers from across the globe can enjoy outstanding wines from a much cooler and later 2021 wine grape season in South Africa. This according to the annual South African Wine Harvest Report 2021…….. article at Wine Goggle
Michael Fridjhon: A scorecard for wine industry transformation - The government’s deep distrust of the wine industry, often vehemently expressed by ministers during the various lockdowns, should serve as a clarion call to producers to ensure our house can withstand the kind of scrutiny reserved for the disliked and unloved…….. article via WineMag
High surplus of wine stock blamed on alcohol bans - The wine industry is currently sitting on between 250 million to 300 million litres of surplus stock and this surplus can largely be ascribed to the impact of the lockdown on domestic sales, says Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer…….. article via CapeArgus
Announcement from Kleine Zalze: Changes to Wine Making Team - Every harvest brings new challenges and new opportunities and this year is no different. With this in mind, we are sad to announce that Alastair Rimmer, our cellarmaster of the past seven vintages will be leaving Kleine Zalze Wines at the end of May to start another exciting chapter in his career…….. article via Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Viticulture research turns over a new leaf - Centenary celebrations at the Stellenbosch University in 2019 prompted the academic institution to turn over a new leaf at its viticulture and oenology research and training programme…….. article via Wineland
International Wine News
Argentina harvest 2021 report: ‘Extraordinary and surprisingly healthy’ - Decanter
Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir: What a Difference a Clone Makes - Bigger Than Your Head
Dining Out Again, With Wine: Restaurants And The Post-Vaccination Experience - Forbes
What to Eat, Drink and Do in the Miami Art Deco District - ThirstyMag
The Handy Guide to Wine and Steak Pairing - Wine Folly
Blockchain Technology, Fraud Prevention and the Future of Wine - Wine Enthusiast
Wine Releases
Hamilton Russell Vineyards new releases - Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2020 & Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2020. Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Thorne & Daughters: Rocking Horse 2020, Wanderer's Heart 2020, Snakes & Ladders Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Cat's Cradle Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2020, Paper Kite Old Vine Semillon 2020 & Tin Soldier Semillon Gris 2020. More information via Thorne & Daughters
Luddite: Saboteur White 2020, Saboteur Red 2017, Chenin Blanc 2020 & Shiraz 2017. More information via Luddite
Genevieve MCC: Blanc de Blancs Brut 2016 & Rosé Brut nv. More information via Genevieve MCC
For next weeks Cape Weekly Newsletter, please email us your news or shout outs by the 3rd of June for inclusion in our next newsletter.
And Finally The Tweet of The Week…..
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