FUN, FOOD AND GREAT WINE AT AVONTUUR THIS FESTIVE SEASON!
7 November 2008
Avontuur Estate, which lies on the Helderberg Wine Route between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, has a full programme planned for the Festive Season. Apart from the tasting room, which is open daily and offers tastings of the Estate’s wines by qualified and enthusiastic staff, the well-known and popular Estate Restaurant is planning an exciting programme to highlight great food and wine.
From November, the restaurant which is usually open daily only for breakfast and lunch, will offer a fine dining experience as well on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. The a la carte menu will feature well-loved dishes from the daily menu as well as seasonal specials. “There are few things more pleasant than sitting on our terrace on a balmy Summer evening, looking out over False Bay and the Helderberg, and enjoying stunning food and great wine,” says Zunia Boucher-Myers, one of the owner-chefs of the Restaurant.
The Tasting Room is offering patrons a delectable South African cheese platter daily at R75 per couple. This can be ordered between 15h00-17h00 and can be enjoyed out on the terrace with a bottle of wine or two. “We often have visitors in the late afternoon who want to sit outside and relax after a busy day. We have a stunning view over the Helderberg and False Bay and the cheese platters offer them the opportunity to enjoy something light but classy, with a bottle of Avontuur’s best,” says Pieter Myburgh, one of the tasting room managers.
Saturday, 22 November promises to be an evening with a difference when the sounds of Pepe dos Santos, well-known Portuguese musician and singer, will ensure a romantic evening under the stars on the terrace at Avontuur. A lavish menu of southern mediterranean food, with a strong Portuguese influence will round off the evening. Avontuur’s wines will feature with a complimentary tasting for all guests on arrival, and more wine flowing throughout the evening will guarantee a festive vibe!
Monday, 15 December gives visitors the chance to live out their eighties fantasies with the “Mamma Mia” evening, featuring Abba music and gear, combined with OTT food & enough wine making it difficult to fit into those bell-bottoms! (Luckily, the next day is a public holiday!)
For the first time ever, the restaurant is offering a Christmas Eve dinner on Wednesday, 24 December with traditional Xmas culinary favourites adapted to South African tastes, combined once again with the Estate’s wines. “We want to underbook the venue so that one doesn’t end up squashed into a corner as often happens at these events The menu will lean towards dishes suited to our warm climate but with a definite nod towards tradition”says Zunia Boucher-Myers.
All the events will be popular and reservations are essential. For more details and to book, contact the Restaurant at 021 855-4296 or book on-line at openhand@polka.co.za
For more info, check out the Avontuur website at www.avontuurestate.co.za or phone us at 021 855-3450.
NEW WINE ERA DAWNS AT AVONTUUR ESTATE
21 October 2008
It’s the start of a new era in wine at Somerset West winery Avontuur Estate, with the appointment of a new winemaking team from 1October 2008. Young winemaker, Natalie Nel (25) takes over in the cellar and will be assisted by oenological expert, Charl Theron.
“This is my first position as winemaker after completing my studies at Stellenbosch University in 2007,” says Natalie. “ I am the youngest and the only girl in a family of three kids and they have always supported me in my dream to work in the wine industry. My dad is a great wine lover and the rest of the family are learning fast!”
Natalie assisted previous winemaker Adèl van der Merwe in the cellar for the last two years and therefore has a good grasp of the stock in bottle, tank and barrel, as well as knowing the winemaking team well, which ensured a smooth takeover and continuity.
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Charl Theron needs no introduction as he was a lecturer in Oenology at Stellenbosch University for many years and is still a guest lecturer. His list of achievements include a stint at at KWV at director level as well as many other leadership positions in the industry. He has an ongoing commitment to improving the quality of South African wines as proven by his memberships of organisations like the SA Brandy Foundation, the Wine & Spirits Board, Winetech and others. Regular invitations to chair or participate in the judging panels of local and international wine competitions including Veritas, the Terroir Awards, the ABSA Top 10 Awards and many others, are a testament to his standing in the wine |
| Natalie Nel, Avontuur Estate’s new
winemaker and Charl Theron, Oenological Advisor, in the vineyards at Avontuur. |
Charl proposed a three point plan for Avontuur Estate which kicked off at the start of October with an intense period of assessment of current wine stocks with the winemaking team. By early November decisions will be taken with management on the current stock situation and future ranges to be produced to ensure a market-driven product.
From mid-November he and Natalie will be very involved with preparations for the 2009 harvest and Charl will obviously be on hand throughout the harvest to assist and mentor vineyard and cellar staff where needed.
“I offer Avontuur my own expertise as well as the services of a network of other experts to call on throughout the winegrowing and making process. I want us to be innovative and creative in our outlook and Natalie and I both believe in experimentation, so therefore we look forward to creating new and exciting wines for the local and international market.” Charl concluded.
"FOOT OF THE HELDERBERG FESTIVAL" DIARY ENTRY
25 August 2008
Wine lovers should not miss out on the inaugural Rola Motor Group “Foot of the Helderberg Festival” which takes place along the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West from Friday, 10 October - Sunday, 12 October.
Twenty of South Africa’s top wineries are participating in the festival which takes the form of tailor-made events and programmes at each of the wineries. In addition lots of fun activities like the “Os-innie-Bos” party on Friday evening with Hempies du Toit at Annandale Wines, a golf day at Stellenbosch Golf Course, a Family Fun Festival at Somerset college, a mountain bike race and Big Walk on the Helderberg for the more sporty types and “Music under the Oaks” at Eikendal Vineyards on Sunday afternoon, will entertain the crowds.
Tickets cost R50 each and can be purchased at any of the participating wineries. Funds raised will be donated to Round Table, Somerset West.
For the full programme check out the website www.thewesterncape.co.za.
Participating wineries are: Dornier, Blaauwklippen, Stellenzicht, Kleine Zalze Wines, Annandale, Alto Estate, Bilton, Rust & Vrede, Ernie Els Wines, Guardian Peak, Hidden Valley Wines, Uva Mira Vineyards, Eikendal Vineyards, Somerbosch, Longridge, Ken Forrester Wines, Grangehurst, Peter Falke Wines, Webersburg Wines and Avontuur Estate.
HELDERBERG WINERIES OFFER NEW EXPERIENCE AT FESTIVAL
17 July 2008
“Who says some of South Africa’s best-known and highly-rated wineries can’t shake off their imposing images and re-invent themselves – if only for a weekend?” said speaker, Hempies du Toit, ex-Springbok rugby player and now much-respected winemaker of Annandale Distillers and Vintner’s.
 Deirdre Zunckel of Alto Estate, Anthony van Schalkwyk of Ken Forrester Wines and Adel van der Merwe, winemaker Avontuur Estate. |
“We produce some of the world’s best wines, but we’re also known for our hospitality and the great characters who live and work in this part of the historic Stellenbosch Wine Region. This is a chance to meet the people and experience the region in an informal and different way ” he said. Hempies was the guest speaker at the launch of the inaugural “Foot of the Helderberg Festival 2008, presented by Rola Motor Group”, held on Thursday, 17 July in the Altitude Tasting Room at Uva Mira Vineyards, high up against the Helderberg. With 19 of the country’s top wineries participating in the festival, planned from Friday, 10 October until Sunday, 12 October, it promises to offer regulars and new visitors a chance to see what’s happening behind the scenes and experience the wines and people of the region in a whole new way. |
Wineries are offering individual experiences tailor-made to suit their wines and facilites. Ranging from the Ad Lib Comedy show, whilst enjoying Gourmet Burgers at Alto Estate, a bread and wine matching experience at Stellenzicht, to a fondue evening at Eikendal and an educational tasting matching wines with specific food flavours at Avontuur Estate, the festival promises a weekend to remember.
Visitors can arrive at any of the participating wineries, pay R50 per person for a branded tasting glass, map and 12-bottle branded wine carton, after which they can enjoy what each farm has to offer.
Title sponsor representative, Rola Motor Group Marketing Director, Marius Claassen reiterated their commitment to the area and the charity organisations supported by the Festival. Ian Meldrum, Chairman of the Somerset West branch of Round Table commented that they were very excited about their participation and asked the community of the Western Cape to support the event as it could mean a huge injection into the coffers of NGO’s in the region.
Other sponsors include Rotolabel, American Express Stellenbosch Wine Routes, The District Mail and tourism website www.thewesterncape.co.za. Participating wineries are: Dornier, Blaauwklippen, Stellenzicht, Kleine Zalze Wines, Annandale, Alto, Bilton, Rust & Vrede, Ernie Els Wines, Guardian Peak, Hidden Valley Wines, Uva Mira Vineyards, Eikendal Vineyards, Somerbosch, Longridge, Ken Forrester Wines, Grangehurst, Peter Falke Wines and Avontuur Estate.
BEAT THE WINTER BLUES AT AVONTUUR ESTATE
Beat the Winter Blues with the salsa sounds of the well-known Los Gitano’s Mariachi trio and a sumptuous buffet of Latin-American dishes at Avontuur Estate’s popular restaurant on Saturday, 26 July from 19h00.
Chefs Zunia Boucher-Myers and Melanie Palteglou are having fun putting together a menu featuring some traditional Latino dishes whilst adding a few twists to other winter warmers – all based on the culinary traditions of Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile. Obviously Avontuur’s award-winning wines will match these perfectly.Guests will enjoy a complimentary welcome drink on arrival whilst getting into the mood to the beat of the music after which the buffet will be ready. All of this in the surrounds of the cosy restaurant with the fireplace going and the red wine flowing – the perfect ending to a winter evening!
The cost is R250 per person, which includes the welcome drink, the buffet and the live music. Seating is limited and reservations are essential at 021 855-4296.
WINE, WOMEN AND ART AT AVONTUUR
11 April 2008
| Avontuur Estate will celebrate wine, women and art on Thursday, 24 April from 17h00 when three of our favourite females who work on the farm and all live in the Helderberg region, will exhibit their works of art in the cellar and tasting room. Jenni Pringle, Avontuur’s PRO presents some of her abstract paintings, featuring the rich textures she’s known for. Jenni studied art at Port Elizabeth Technikon after completing school and has for many years painted and sold work, both on commission for interior decorators and for private owners. Vanessa Lampon is responsible for Avontuur’s wine sales in the Western Cape and is a well-known face at the Estate, having been involved for many years. Vanessa studied graphic art at Wits Technikon and after that worked in the field of graphic art. Her work is spontaneous and ranges from miniatures to large canvases. She works on commission and has exhibited in various galleries country-wide. |
 Vanessa Lampon & Jenni Pringle outside the tasting room on the Estate with some of their works. |
All the works on the exhibition is for sale on the night and we would like to invite our clients and art lovers to join us at the Estate for the event. Winemaker Adel van der Merwe will be on hand with some of the 2008 wines, which will only be released later in the year. Canape’s will be served.
Please RSVP to Jenni Pringle at sales@avontuurestate.co.za by Monday, 21 April if you would like to attend.
AVONTUUR CHARDONNAY RESERVE WINS GOLD IN BELGIUM
11 April 2008
Avontuur Estate announced this week that their 2007 Chardonnay Reserve, Luna de Miel was awarded a gold medal at the prestigious Monde Selection in Brussels, Belgium. Another pleasant surprise was the silver medal for the Estate’s value-for-money red wine, the soon-to-be-released Vintner’s Red 2005.
The Chardonnay Reserve is named after one of the Estate’s famous mares and is young wine maker, Adél van Merwe’s first solo attempt at this much-loved brand. “Last year, I blended and bottled the Luna still produced by previous wine maker, Willie Malherbe, but the 2007 is my own from beginning to end,” she said.
“The wine is elegant and controlled with well-integrated wood and displays more minerality than the 2006 vintage and with its zesty acid, has an ageing potential of at least five years,” Adél comments.
Only 3000 bottles were produced and it is available from the tasting room on the Estate at R85 per bottle. The Vintner’s Red 2005 is a soft, fruity, easy-drinking blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and after release a bit later in the year, will sell for about R40 per bottle from the Estate.
AVONTUUR RELEASES NEW LUNA DE MIEL
26 January 2008
Avontuur Estate announces the release of their 2007 Chardonnay Reserve, Luna de Miel. Named after one of their famous mares, who was responsible for starting the Stud on the Estate, the wine is young wine maker, Adél van Merwe’s first solo attempt at this brand.
“Last year, I blended and bottled the Luna still produced by previous wine maker, Willie Malherbe, but the 2007 is my own from beginning to end,” she said.
“I feel the wine is definitely Luna, with the typical orange blossom on the nose, the lemon and lime on the palate and the fresh ginger aftertaste which Luna fans love! But I also tried to make an elegant, less over-the-top wine, which with its fresh acid, should keep going for quite a few years easily,” Adél comments.
The wine is a food wine par excellence and will be a hit with rich duck dishes, spicy Eastern food or oily fish like smoked salmon.
Luna de Miel 2007 was released about 5 months later than the usual release date for the wine, which has led to a long waiting list. Only 3000 bottles were produced and it is available only from the tasting room on the Estate at R85 per bottle.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JENNI PRINGLE AT (021) 855-3450
