Our first tasting stop was at Fairview Winery in Paarl for a tasting of wine and cheese. I have since discovered that it is here that the wine Goats do Roam is produced - this is a wine that we used to be able to get in Tesco and which we liked a lot because it's like a Cotes du Rhone. Goats are a feature of this winery.
We had quite an extensive tasting with the wines and cheeses well matched. However, the whites did not really appeal to me but I liked 3 of the reds. One was available on offer, a cheaper rate for 6. But we could not see how we could drink all 6 bottles before we left South Africa and none of us was too keen to put bottles of wine in our luggage. However, we could get wine shipped to Scotland and Ireland so Charlotte and I started the negotiations. Charlotte was first to fill in her details on the tablet produced. After 3 attempts she had to give up. When the assistant filled in her details, neither of Charlotte's credit cards were accepted - so no wine for Charlotte! Then it was my turn - no difficulty! Details entered and card accepted and I would have a special treat for Christmas. Not! Coming close to Christmas there was no sign of the wine so I contacted the supplier, based in Germany, to be told they had to search for my order. Once they found it they let me know that there was some difficulty in shipping the wine from Germany to Ireland. So, no wine for me either!
This is the Goat Tower at Fairview. The Goat Tower was built following the inspiration of the owner by a tower in Portugal. Shortly after it was built the son of the owner accidentally left the gate to the paddock open and the goats roamed and were discovered selecting the ripest grapes from the vines. This led to the name "Goats do Roam".
On the way to the second winery we passed the Drakenstein Correctional Centre (formerly Victor Verster Prison). It is famous as being where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his imprisonment for campaigning against apartheid. In 1982 Mandela was released from the maximum security prison on Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town . From there he was moved to the then Victor Verster Prison where he lived in a Prison Warder's cottage. He served another 14 months here before being released on the 11th February 1990.
This is the entrance to Drakenstein Correctional Centre, a low security prison. There were a lot of people about - according to Tracey (who was back with us as her mother was stable in hospital) it was visiting hours. There was an ATM so Jim voiced the intention of using it but was warned off by Tracey who reckoned it was far from safe.
Jim entered the gates to walk a little of the Long Road to Freedom in the steps of Nelson Mandela but, because I hadn't got off the bus he hadn't anyone to record it. He was very annoyed with me. Why he didn't ask Charlotte I don't know!
As you see, not a giftstore!
On the road again and this time to a smaller winery in Franschoek - Eikehof Wine Estate. It is situated to the west of the village of Franschoek in the vicinity of La Motte. It takes its name from the lovely old oak trees. We were entertained to a tasting with nibbles, mainly several varieties of peaches which were just delicious, by the wife of the estate. It was just like a lovely picnic despite the fact that the wines, other than the rose, did not appeal to me. It was 12.35 and 37 degrees, the hottest day so far.
Wasn't it a beautiful setting!
From where we were sitting we could see this King Protea - really beautiful!
On the road again and on towards our 3rd tasting over a pass (Helshoogte Pass) to Stellenbosch. This pass was originally an elephant pass and it crosses the Jonkershoek and Simonsberg Mountains. We stopped in Stellenbosch for lunch - there was a great selection of restaurants but we weren't very hungry because of all the nibbles we had had at the wine tastings.
This certainly did not appeal to us!
These little girls were dancing and singing to raise money for a school trip. One of them crossed the road to ask us. So we contributed but they immediately stopped performing!
Now this would be more our style . If only we were hungrey!
Back on the road again and on to Lanzerac Wine Estate where we were to taste wine paired with chocolate. The idea did not appeal to me and, as it happened, neither did the experience.
The avenue up to the estate which is also a hotel and spa.
What a huge amount of chocolate - I wouldn't eat that much in a year.
Lanzerac is one of the regions most distinguished examples of Cape Dutch Architecture. the winery dates back to 1692.
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