Lourensford tasting room review

Lourensford

It's rare to find a tasting experience where the wine has not just one but several complements. Within the amphitheatre of the Helderberg Mountains, a day out at Lourensford can involve a multimeandering to many points of interest.

 

It begins with a path through symmetrical gardens complete with roses and fountained welcome, and can end with chocolate and nougat tastings, or at the coffee roastery, or at the cheesery, or at the fine arts centre, The Bell- Roberts Gallery.

But let's not forget the wine! Here is a case where you will really feel spoilt for choice.

Which flavour domain to indulge in first? The initial stop has to be the wine tasting counter, backed by a glassed overview which draws you into a behindthe- scenes tableau of the cellar. With over 350 hectares of vines planted, it's no wonder stainless steel vats and barrels abound. Dr Christo Wiese purchased the property in 1998, and vineyards are divided into 50ha units, each with an individual manager who cultivates the vines according to their regionality, producing premium grapes for the three ranges.

The wines speak for themselves, from an interesting Viognier 2008 (R80) of Turkish Delight aroma, to the flagship Seventeen Hundred 2005 (R90) - a great buy as it promises to age well, with leather and vanilla aromas, a plummy, full-bodied intensity and tannin structure.

The Chardonnay (R66) is also worth a mention for those who are not after an over-oaked variation, the wild-fermented component giving it a layered structure. Plus there's an unfi ltered honey liqueur (R95), also used as a centre in their chocolates.

The devilishly decadent chocolate counter is to the side of the wine tasting area, boasting around 40 different types. The truffles are made using the finest cocoa sourced from Ghana and the Ivory Coast, as well as South African sugar. A Wedgewood nougat and wine tasting is also an option here.

But perhaps a more natural progression after a wine tasting is to the cheesery which offers a complete experience, from gouda through to gorgonzola. Shavings of cheeses at various stages of maturation are available to sample.

No flavour enhancers or preservatives are used but the traditional farmhouse cheddar, for one, is enhanced by the natural cave-like environment for maturation. Also worth noting are the excellent gruyère (R16 per 100g) and a very creamy gorgonzola (R20 per 100g).

And onwards to the coff ee roastery! The Coffee Roasting Co offers an informal setting, where you can try Arabica coffees delivered at their peak. Handpicked on plantations at altitudes above 1 500m, these are the world's best coff ees, grown in temperate highlands including Hawaii, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, India and Indonesia.

The River Garden Deli offers an excellent breakfast as well as lunch menu, including toasted brioche, lamb and rosemary burger with onion marmalade, panfried kob, rib-eye steak with fondant potato, and pear and frangipane tart. It is also a very child-friendly setting, with different sections of wooden deck, interior or the garden catering for all preferences.

NEIGHBOURS OF NOTE:
Morgenster - notable for its Italian grape varieties, and for its olives (11 varieties) and olive oil tasting. Look out for the Lemon-Enhanced Extra Virgin Olive Oil (R93 for 500ml).

Vergelegen - wines not to miss include the Mill Race red. Another must is a picnic in a private camphor tree-topped alcove, complete with picnic table, chairs and proper crockery, cutlery and wine glasses. Open-air concerts in summer. Erinvale - if you are a golfer, complete the weekend with a visit to these immaculate greens. Open to the public, not just members.

ADDRESS: Lourensford Road,
Somerset West
TEL: 021 847 2333
EMAIL: info@lourensford.co.za
WEBSITE: www.lourensford.com
TASTING & SALES: Mon-Sun
9:30-16:30