Vergelegen tasting room review
VERGELEGEN - money, money, money
Anglo American-owned Vergelegen needs little introduction. It is big. It is old. It is famous. The grounds on which it stands are also immaculately beautiful, with oak avenues, trimmed hedge gardens, rosebushes and a camellia collection all named as attractions in a pamphlet that visitors are handed at the security gate.
You are also informed, by the smiling boom attendant, that visitation rights are subject to a fee of R10 per person, which entitles you to access the homestead, gardens and grounds. Not the tasting, though, which is a further R30 for a selection of six wines (from a choice of eight). And if you want to taste the Vergelegen White or the Vergelegen Red, you have to fork out another R10 for 25ml of the respective flagships. Not the cheapest cellar visit, even if it includes a 5 Star Platter's wine...
The tasting centre is in a thatched building and, as one leading wine commentator once remarked, you have to question the influence that the smell of thatch has on your olfactory senses. It doesn't bother me much, although our group admittedly sits outside.
For such an established winery, they manage quite an intimate cellar door. Only a few tables are arranged along the lavender lush courtyard. And no frills, just numerous framed awards along the walls.
They run an interesting operation with patrons handed whiteboard markers and laminated tasting menus on which to indicate their selection of wines (you can also order biscuits at R1 a pop). Dewald is our attendant, and he asks us to write our names on the boards. It adds a personal touch and makes for easy identification when he brings out the trays with our individual selections. (Or maybe they run background checks? I did detect a WINE mag lying face down on the counter...)
He is a friendly chap, young Dewald, and he absolutely loves his job and wine. It shows. The tasting is made all the more entertaining by his comical but knowledgeable take on the various wines - knowledge backed up by his hands-on involvement in other cellar activities, even during harvest "when tempers flare", he informs.
We love the Mill Race 2006, a Cabernet driven blend (much better than the 2007 that is dominated by Merlot). Price-wise, it is also the more accessible wine of the lot, being priced at R66. I am about to buy a case when I am informed, during a personal phonecall, that a big shopping centre chain is selling it for R55. And since tasting fees are not wavered upon purchasing wine...
TEL: 021 847 1334.
OPEN: Daily 09:30 - 16:00.
SERVICE: 10/10 - Dewald can stay.
AMBIENCE: 7/10 - ordinary but comfortable.
VALUE: 6/10 - not the most affordable farm to visit.
QUALITY: 8/10 - the Vergelegen White gets my vote.
