Out and about in Bottelary, Stellenbosch
Terroir is the notion that wines should taste of the place where the grapes grow. We invite you to travel with us as we explore South Africa's different wine-growing appellations.South Africa's Wine of Origin (WO) scheme originally came about in the early 1970s and was based on the classification systems of Europe, where the relationship of wine to the land and the particular human societies living on it have been specifically delineated over time. Today the WO classification recognises 'geographic units', 'regions', 'districts' and 'wards' in order of size from biggest to smallest.
INTRODUCTION
Bottelary is one of seven wards that the intensively farmed district of Stellenbosch is divided into and it is located to the north-west of the town. The name 'Bottelary' probably stems from the Dutch word bottelarj which was used for a storeroom or cellar housing bottles.
Bottelary Hills is one of the five sub-routes that make up the famed Stellenbosch Wine Route and incorporates an area bigger than that which officially falls under the WO classification. Hence you will encounter such well-known wineries as Mulderbosch and Villiera if you follow the Bottelary Hills route - even though they are not formally located within the Bottelary ward. For more information, see
www.wineroute.co.za
WHAT TO DO
Lace up your boots and do the Vineyard Hiking Trail. This takes in the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy created by Oom Stevie Smit of Koopmanskloof and Tielman Roos of Mooiplaas.
Tel 021 903-6273.
Play a round of golf at Devonvale. "Another beautiful country course that is improving all the while and changes character completely given different weather conditions - would benefit from improved bunkering," according to sister magazine Compleat Golfer.
Tel 021 888 4735.
WHAT TO SEE
Take in the Marvol Museum at Hazendal, which houses a collection of Russian religious icons and Faberge eggs. The winery's Wooded Chenin Blanc and The Last Straw dessert wine are worth checking out too.
Tel 021 903-5112.
WHERE TO STOP
The Bottelary Hills Wine Centre located at the junction between the M23 and R304 offers a sales venue and information centre for all the wineries in the area. You can also enjoy wine by the glass or dine at the Rose restaurant.
Tel 021 865-2955.
WINES TO TRY
Alongside are some of WINE magazine's favourite wines from Bottelary. The selection is by no means exhaustive - space constraints mean only a finite number can be featured, while we also want to showcase examples spanning different price points rather than simply those that are most highly acclaimed. Nevertheless, they provide a good introduction to what the ward has to offer.
