Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate, Wellington
Published: 16 May 07
There must be something in the air at Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate, and I wish I could bottle it. Not only did my teething 10-month-old sleep through the night, but so did I. And I never sleep we
ll in a strange bed.Since returning home, we've even tried to replicate the Diemersfontein experience,
at least during what many new parents refer to as Suicide Hour. To start with,
a gentle walk in our garden (a nice garden but without Diemersfontein's perfectly
manicured lawns, secluded pool, abundant roses and azaleas, busy squirrels,
and any guinea fowl able to outrun the chef). Then, what the baby books refer
to as a "calming bath" (though such is the splashing that I wonder
whether these so-called experts actually have children…). At Diemersfontein,
however, the bathroom fittings are simple and the tiles and towels clinically
white - all perfect for avoiding "over-stimulation" (while the Heavenly
bath products work wonders on stressed and sleep-deprived grownups). Finally,
bedtime, and no longer do we attempt to darken the baby room - not since the
relative lightness of the pretty country-style décor at Diemersfontein
resulted in happy cooing rather than tired grizzling after lights out.
So has it worked? Not entirely. Perhaps we need to ask soprano Zanne Stapelberg to sing lullabies every night, with Diemersfontein having put on a sunset concert when we stayed there (R120 per person, including canapés and a glass or two of Carpe Diem Viognier). Her "opera-cabaret" should have taken place in the gardens but an unseasonably cold spell meant that the conference centre had to provide a more conventional (and cosy) concert venue.
Diemersfontein is owned by the Sonnenberg family, well-known patrons of the arts. Woolworths cofounder, Max Sonnenberg bought the farm in the early 1940s as a country retreat, and that's precisely what it still is. TV? Forget it. WiFi Hotspot? You must be joking. Accommodation is mostly in 14 en-suite bedrooms with private entrances (R395pp for bed & breakfast, or R225 for children under 12 and free for children under five). In your air-conditioned room, pretty much all you can do is make a cup of tea or coffee (including instant decaf), put your feet up and read a magazine - unless, like me, you're too busy keeping Junior out of the fireplace, which must come into its own in winter (when there's a special: R465pp for a threecourse dinner, bed and breakfast).
Meals are served at Seasons Restaurant, which boasts panoramic views over the farm dam and horse paddocks, and contemporary art for those facing inwards. We decided to put the promise of a warm welcome to the ultimate test by inviting friends who also have a baby to join us for lunch - a test which our waitress, As for the food, masterminded by head chef Johan van Schalkwyk, formerly of Constantia Uitsig's River Café… I can't speak for my fellow diners, but they tucked in with gusto. My starter of Balsamic Onion Tarte Tatin (R35) was delicious and an inspired match for the Thokozani SCV 2005 (R65), while the Guinea Fowl and Porcini Mushroom Pie (hearty fare for a miserable day, R95) was matched by The Duke's Blend 2003 (a wine jointly made by members of the Wellington Guild of Fine Wines to mark a visit by the Duke of Wellington, R150).
To finish, I thoroughly enjoyed the Trio of Sorbet of the Day (namely mango and vanilla, plum and orange, and watermelon, R30). But, oh, if only I could have ordered a bottle of that Diemersfontein air as a takeaway…
MORE ABOUT DIEMERSFONTEIN
Diemersfontein has long had a close relationship with the arts, particularly since the 1950s when actress Cecilia Sonnenberg, the wife of second-generation owner Richard, co-founded Cape Town's Maynardville Open Air Theatre. Today, artist and chorister Sue Sonnenberg sponsors local artists, providing them with materials and a place to work, while it was David who built the cellar in 2000, securing Diemersfontein's place on the wine map.
It's mostly Pinotage that's done it, namely the highly acclaimed Carpe Diem and the "standard" Diemersfontein Pinotage so famous for its coffee and chocolate notes. You can also sample Thokozani, a range of wines made in partnership with Diemersfontein's staff and other black economic empowerment investors. Wine tasting is offered daily from 10am till 5pm (R15) and you can book a cellar tour, a vineyard tractor ride (R35pp), a picnic (R120 for two, including wine) or even a food and wine pairing at Seasons Restaurant (R120pp).
For the more energetic, there's horse riding as well as walks through the vineyards and fynbos, most notably the Wellington Wine Walk, a three-day hiking trail with stay-overs at Diemersfontein and other historic establishments. Nothing too onerous - your luggage is transported between stops so as not to weigh you down as you taste wine, cheese and olives along the way.
For more information on things to do in the area, visit www.wellington.co.za or call 021 873 4604/8.
So has it worked? Not entirely. Perhaps we need to ask soprano Zanne Stapelberg to sing lullabies every night, with Diemersfontein having put on a sunset concert when we stayed there (R120 per person, including canapés and a glass or two of Carpe Diem Viognier). Her "opera-cabaret" should have taken place in the gardens but an unseasonably cold spell meant that the conference centre had to provide a more conventional (and cosy) concert venue.
Diemersfontein is owned by the Sonnenberg family, well-known patrons of the arts. Woolworths cofounder, Max Sonnenberg bought the farm in the early 1940s as a country retreat, and that's precisely what it still is. TV? Forget it. WiFi Hotspot? You must be joking. Accommodation is mostly in 14 en-suite bedrooms with private entrances (R395pp for bed & breakfast, or R225 for children under 12 and free for children under five). In your air-conditioned room, pretty much all you can do is make a cup of tea or coffee (including instant decaf), put your feet up and read a magazine - unless, like me, you're too busy keeping Junior out of the fireplace, which must come into its own in winter (when there's a special: R465pp for a threecourse dinner, bed and breakfast).
Meals are served at Seasons Restaurant, which boasts panoramic views over the farm dam and horse paddocks, and contemporary art for those facing inwards. We decided to put the promise of a warm welcome to the ultimate test by inviting friends who also have a baby to join us for lunch - a test which our waitress, As for the food, masterminded by head chef Johan van Schalkwyk, formerly of Constantia Uitsig's River Café… I can't speak for my fellow diners, but they tucked in with gusto. My starter of Balsamic Onion Tarte Tatin (R35) was delicious and an inspired match for the Thokozani SCV 2005 (R65), while the Guinea Fowl and Porcini Mushroom Pie (hearty fare for a miserable day, R95) was matched by The Duke's Blend 2003 (a wine jointly made by members of the Wellington Guild of Fine Wines to mark a visit by the Duke of Wellington, R150).
To finish, I thoroughly enjoyed the Trio of Sorbet of the Day (namely mango and vanilla, plum and orange, and watermelon, R30). But, oh, if only I could have ordered a bottle of that Diemersfontein air as a takeaway…
MORE ABOUT DIEMERSFONTEIN
Diemersfontein has long had a close relationship with the arts, particularly since the 1950s when actress Cecilia Sonnenberg, the wife of second-generation owner Richard, co-founded Cape Town's Maynardville Open Air Theatre. Today, artist and chorister Sue Sonnenberg sponsors local artists, providing them with materials and a place to work, while it was David who built the cellar in 2000, securing Diemersfontein's place on the wine map.
It's mostly Pinotage that's done it, namely the highly acclaimed Carpe Diem and the "standard" Diemersfontein Pinotage so famous for its coffee and chocolate notes. You can also sample Thokozani, a range of wines made in partnership with Diemersfontein's staff and other black economic empowerment investors. Wine tasting is offered daily from 10am till 5pm (R15) and you can book a cellar tour, a vineyard tractor ride (R35pp), a picnic (R120 for two, including wine) or even a food and wine pairing at Seasons Restaurant (R120pp).
For the more energetic, there's horse riding as well as walks through the vineyards and fynbos, most notably the Wellington Wine Walk, a three-day hiking trail with stay-overs at Diemersfontein and other historic establishments. Nothing too onerous - your luggage is transported between stops so as not to weigh you down as you taste wine, cheese and olives along the way.
For more information on things to do in the area, visit www.wellington.co.za or call 021 873 4604/8.
DIEMERSFONTEIN WINE AND COUNTRY ESTATE
Off the R301, Wellington
Tel 021 864 5050
Email: hospitality@diemersfontein.co.za
www.diemersfontein.co.za
