AVONTUUR INTRODUCES NEW STALLION, WINE AND RESTAURANT
Avontuur Estate in Somerset West today (24/8) introduced their new breeding stallion, VAR, four new wines and a newly renovated restaurant to invited guests from the racing, wine and media fraternity.
VAR, the 2004 European Champion Sprinter, arrived in South Africa from Britain on 22 July and was installed in his stable on the Estate on Friday, 19 August.
According to General Manager, Pippa Mickleburgh, the opening up of the international market to SA breeders over the last 5 years and the lack of a top speed stallion in the country, created the opportunity for an internationally renowned world class sire.
"VAR is the most expensive first-season sire purchase ever to come to South Africa," she says. "His stud fees will start off at R35 000 and we hope to service up to 90 mares between September and December 2005. Shares in VAR are priced at R120 000 each which entitles share holders to one service per year and dividends."
After viewing VAR, Guests returned to the enlarged restaurant where a buffet was served. The restaurant was re-designed by well-known Cape Town architect, Alex Smuts, who also handled Avontuur's restaurant in Cape Town.
The outside of the cellar is largely untouched but the interior now provides seating for 100 guests instead of the previous 40 and is decorated with a carefully chosen selection of old and new furniture, paintings and artifacts. Comfy sofa's in burnt orange sit side by side with dark leather chairs and couches. Restaurant seating is provided by an eclectic mix of mismatched vintage chairs and tables.
Willie Malherbe, Avontuur's winemaker introduced the guests to the 2005 Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay/Pinot Noir as well as the eagerly awaited 2003 Shiraz and the 2004 Pinot Noir Reserve, named "Minelli" after another of the Estate's top horses.
"After this substantial investment in our new facilities, we can now host larger events and offer a more comfortable visit to guests. Add to that the sweeping views from the tasting room and restaurant over the horse paddocks, and Avontuur Estate is the perfect place for a winelands visit this summer," says Ms Mickleburgh.  |
AVONTUUR'S BACCARAT GARNERS AWARDS
Celebrations were in order at Avontuur Estate in Stellenbosch during June when Decanter magazine (UK) announced that Baccarat 2001, the Estate's Bordeaux blend, had been awarded a silver medal in the 2005 Decanter World Wine Awards . 5500 international entries were received which showed an increase of 20% on the previous year.
Barely a week later, the wine also achieved a silver in the 2005 Fairbairn Capital Trophy Show . Already sporting a Gold Veritas 2004 and described by wine maker Willie Malherbe as an expression of the best the Estate can produce, the Baccarat 2001 is velvety and smooth with a backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by voluptuous Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The wine sells at R115 from the Estate and is also available at selected liquor outlets and restaurants locally and internationally.
|
FIRST HELDERBERG GOURMET MEANDER TO TAKE PLACE
Don't miss out on the first Helderberg Gourmet Meander which takes place amongst the vineyards and stunning mountain scenery of this part of the Boland on Friday evening, 6 May at 18h30 for 19h00.
The brainchild of Cobie van Oort, Marketing Manager of Avontuur Wine Estate, the meander involves three of the area's top restaurants and chefs - all situated along the R44 a few kilometres apart - three wine makers and three incredible menu's which guarantees that this will be an event to remember.
Gourmands and wine lovers are invited to partake in a starter and a specially chosen glass of wine at one of the three restaurants, then have a main course and wine at another and finally end off the evening with dessert at the last. To ensure that everyone can choose the menu they prefer, patrons can start at any one of the three venues and in that way "put together" their favourite combination. Each of the three menu options are named, which simplifies bookings. "Three groups of 40 guests each will therefore criss-cross between the restaurants at the same time, as each group moves on to the next venue! The logistics for the organisors are a nightmare," says Ms van Oort, "but we believe it will be a lot of fun!"
The Avontuur Estate restaurant, owned and managed by Zunia Boucher-Myers and Melanie Paltoglou is offering a Kingklip fillet in a saffron-flavoured veloutè sauce as a main course on the Marina Menu and this will be complemented by Avontuur wine maker Willie Malherbe's Chardonnay Reserve Luna de Miel 2004.
Justin Hoffe and Kathy Banks, owners of newly opened Burnt Orange restaurant is preparing a Ballotine of Chicken with Grainy Mustard sauce on the Helderberg Menu while wine maker Nicholas Gebers of Post House Cellar matches Cabernet 2002 to this exquisite dish.
Die Fonteine at Somerbosch winery, run by well-known Stellenbosch caterer and Chef, Elzahn le Roux serves Loin of Venison with a Cassis sauce as the main course on the Adventure Menu. This is paired with Somerbosch Pinotage 2004 or wooded Chenin Blanc 2003 and presented by wine maker Marius Roux.
"We specially chose the restaurants for their innovative menu's and ambiance. The wineries participating are also some of the Helderberg wine route's best. At each venue, the wine maker will personally introduce each wine and explain why it was selected to complement the dish. All of this adds up to an exclusive gourmet experience," says Cobie.
Cotlands, Western Cape, which cares for abandoned, abused and terminally ill children, will benefit from a percentage of the proceeds as well as the charity auction which takes place at the end of the evening in each of the three venues.
Each menu costs R250 per person and includes a welcoming drink and the meal with a glass of matching wine per course.
Bookings & pre-payments are essential. Contact Moerieda Carrim at Avontuur Estate (021) 855-3450 or recep@avontuurestate.co.za before 3 May to ensure your place.
|
NEWS ARCHIVE:
|
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JENNI PRINGLE AT (021) 855-3450
