PATRICK GRUBB BURSARY BENEFICIARY RETURNS TO SA
19 November 2006
Hennie Bunding, Foreman at Avontuur Estate in the Helderberg area returned to SA recently after spending a month in Australia as a beneficiary of the Patrick Grubb Scholarship, which aims to offer people from previously disadvantage groups who work in the wine industry, the opportunity to gain experience in some of the world’s finest wine regions.
Hennie, who has worked at Avontuur for most of his life, was the guest of AHA viticultural consultants in Dunnsborough, near Perth. Every day was spent visiting one of the 20 wineries under their wing, and Hennie also met many of the owners and viticulturalists who work on the farms who were generous in sharing their time and expertise.
“Many things are different in Australia” Hennie says. “In the first place there is no permanent labour force who grew up on the farms like we have in South Africa. This means that new and mostly casual labourers have to be trained continually in basics like pruning and harvesting which leads to time wasting. Also as labour is casual, they often don’t turn up for work which means hours are lost! However, many farms use machinery to replace the work force.”
According to Hennie owners often don’t live on the farms and at one of the wineries he visited they only employed 2 labourers for 30 hectares. “I jumped in and helped with the pruning as they were very behind due to excessive rain in the previous month, but using their fancy hydraulic pruning scissors was quite a learning curve,” he said.
Thanks to the generosity of his sponsors, Hennie was able to see quite a bit of the region around Perth in between visiting farms. “One of the things which really got me was how relaxed the Aussies are, especially on the roads! And everyone keeps to the speed limits!”
Hennie’s thanks go to Avontuur’s GM, Pippa Mickleburgh who suggested that he applies and the Patrick Grubb Scholarship panel under the auspices of Dave Hughes, who awarded him this opportunity of a lifetime!
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SUNSET AND A VIEW AT AVONTUUR ESTATE
23 October 2006
Watch the sun set over False Bay from the terrace at Avontuur Estate in Stellenbosch every Wednesday and Friday from 1 November between 4 and 7 pm.
“Sundowners at Avontuur” is now in its third year and is a popular option for locals and tourists during the Summer festive season.
Patrons can choose from a selection of mezze snack platters from the Avontuur restaurant, which is served with a complimentary glass of Avontuur wine for only R60 per person. Thereafter wine can be ordered from the restaurant wine list at very reasonable prices. Avontuur’s tasting venue with its knowledgeable and friendly staff is open for tastings and wine sales.
“Sundowners” are served in a comfortable outdoor setting on the terrace in front of the cellar. Great views over the green paddocks and pedigree horses of the Estate’s Stud with stunning mountain scenery as a backdrop, will ensure a visit to remember.
Reservations are preferable and must be made by contacting the restaurant at (021)855-4296. Avontuur Estate is on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
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AVONTUUR APPOINTS NEW WINE MAKER
18 June 2006
Adèl van der Merwe has been appointed wine maker at Avontuur Estate in the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch.
24-year old and passionate about wine, this is her first position as a fully-fledged wine maker. "I love the idea of creating something beautiful out of a natural product like great grapes," she says. "Being involved with the process from the beginning right through to that moment when the wine is poured, is what gives me a thrill. I'm very excited about the opportunity at Avontuur and see it as a wonderful challenge!"
After completing her B.Sc Agric(Viticulture) degree at Stellenbosch university, Adèl worked at Hartenberg Estate and Waterford Estate to gain experience. A stint in Germany, added to her knowledge.
Adèl takes over from outgoing wine maker, Willie Malherbe on 1 July.
Adèl van der Merwe celebrates her new position with a glass of Avontuur bubbly.
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“TEST YOUR TASTE BUDS” ADVENTURE
14 May 2006
Food and wine pairing is controversial topic and an inexact science. Now Avontuur Estate offers the novice and more experienced wine lover the opportunity to find out for themselves which tastes and flavours work best with certain varietals.
The brainchild of Tasting Room Manager, Margaret Kloppers, Avontuur’s Test your Taste Buds concept is a 30-minute tutored tasting, offered in the tasting room on the Estate.
On arrival, participants are seated with 5 wines ranging from Semi-sweet and Dry, White and Red to the Estate’s Potstilled Brandy, set up before them. In addition, small bowls featuring edibles representing the 5 main flavours ie. Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter and Umami are set out. Participants taste each wine with each flavour and jot down their comments and scores on a specially provided tasting sheet, which they take home afterwards. In this way, everyone can ascertain for themselves which flavours match optimally.
Avontuur’s trained tasting room staff provide general food and wine pairing tips and hints throughout the tasting.
The Test your Taste Buds Tasting is offered daily during usual tasting room hours and can be presented to up to 10 people at a time. Although pre-booking is preferable, a few minutes of patience on arrival without a booking, will allow personnel to set up the tasting while you enjoy the view from the terrace over False Bay.
The cost is R35 pp.
For more information or to book your tasting, contact Margaret at winery@avontuurestate.co.za or at (021)855-3450.
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AVONTUUR CITY RESTAURANT APPOINTS OWN CELLAR MANAGER
| The Avontuur Estate Restaurant and Wine Cellar in Cape Town announced the appointment of a dedicated Cellar Manager, Vanessa Lampon, recently. Vanessa has many years of experience in the hospitality industry and worked at Avontuur Wine Estate in Somerset West for many years. "My first responsibility is to increase the wine knowledge of our restaurant service staff through regular training sessions. I like to make it fun and informative at the same time. During busy periods I assist with sommelier duties and am also responsible for all cellar activities like group tastings, promotions and ordering," says Vanessa. The Avontuur Restaurant and Wine Cellar offers patrons a Fine Dining experience in the restaurant, a Bistro menu on the deck and Wine tastings in the historic cellar downstairs. Only wines from Avontuur Estate are sold, with older vintages from the Estate's vinoteque also available from the wine list. |
 Avontuur City Restaurant waitrons Michelle van den Berg and Thando Sigweia learning more about wine service from Vanessa Lampon, new Cellar Manager at the venue. |
Special tastings for tourist groups, wine clubs or anyone else interested in learning more about wine, can be booked through Vanessa at (021)421-0044/5.
The restaurant is at the entrance to the V & A Waterfront and free, safe parking is available.
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NEWS ARCHIVE:
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JENNI PRINGLE AT (021) 855-3450
