Make your way to the picturesque Franschhoek Wine Valley, over the weekend of 4 and 5 September, for the unique spring wine meander, Franschhoek Uncorked. This multi-faceted celebration takes place on satellite farms throughout the Valley, and affords award-winning wineries – as well as the smaller hidden gems – the opportunity to ‘bloom’ as they showcase new vintages and releases, coinciding with the onset of spring.

Highly acclaimed wineries, participating in this much loved event include Boekenhoutskloof, Boschendal, Cabrière, Solms-Delta, Graham Beck Wines, La Motte, Anthonji Rupert Wines, Môreson, Vrede en Lust and Plaisir de Merle. Also included in the line up are some of Franschhoek’s smaller gems such as Dieu Donné, GlenWood, Haut Espoir, La Bri, La Petite Ferme, Topiary and Maison. In addition select wineries will keep their visitors entertained with a range of events, whilst sampling their fine wines.

Take in the picturesque scenery while soaking in country hospitality at its best. Wander along leisurely from farm to farm, enjoying some of live entertainment on show while sampling fine wines and delectable treats, such as oysters, smoked salmon, creative curry combos, tapas and al fresco platters; a taste of what you can expect from South Africa’s gourmet capital.

With most of the Franschhoek Vignerons participating in this innovative initiative, there promises to be something for everyone with: cellar- and vineyard tours, barrel-tastings, a micro-brewery tasting , delectable food- and wine pairings, art exhibitions, a flower-bulb market, a food-and-wine market boasting fresh, organic food, a fynbos trail and wine-blending, to name but a few. For music-lovers, there are live music extravaganzas which cater for all tastes, ranging from jazz- and blues bands to French bistro genres to fiesta Española flamenco. To add to the ‘local is lekker’ flavour, visitors can also expect to be entertained by a handful of top local musicians. Motor car exhibitions add an innovative and ‘racy’ element to this year’s Uncorked with: Aston Martin, Porsche, Maserati and Ferrari’s all on show.

An access card system will be implemented to ensure the successful running of Franschhoek Uncorked. The access cards, available directly from participating wineries on the day or through Computicket, at R80.00 each, includes a tasting glass and free wine tasting at participating wineries for the duration of the event. A shuttle service will assist responsible tasting and allow for easy, hassle-free transport at this popular social calendar event.

So, with something for everyone, make a weekend of your visit, taking full advantage of the various accommodation packages on offer. Come and indulge yourself as you witness the country’s gourmet capital blossom and come alive.

For more information about the festival, please contact: Darielle Robertson Events Manager: Franschhoek Wine Valley Tel: 021 876 2861 Email: events@franschhoek.org.za

source

Franschhoek’s Bastille Day Festival Celebration is happening again, and because of the winding down of the event that Fifa will not allow me to mention on a public website without paying them for it, we are sure that this year’s festival will be packed to absolute capacity.

All the usual fun activities will be taking place again.

There is the fun run and walk from the Victor Verster Prison. The Franschhoek Wine Valley has throughout the years been linked with the pursuit of freedom, as the destination where the French Huguenots sought refuge from persecution. Aside from the European legacy, the connection with freedom is also evident in a local context with the Drakenstein Prison (formerly Victor Verster), the prison from which the iconic Nelson Mandela was released, situated between Franschhoek and Paarl. This year in particular will be more significant as it commemorates the 20th anniversary of Mr Mandela’s release from the exact prison.

The Franschhoek minstrels will parade through the village on Saturday Morning. There will be the Barrel Rolling Competition where Franschhoek’s Wine Estates take part in rolling Franschhoek’s finest wine barrels to victory.

The ever popular Boules Competition will again take place in fine style as members of the public compete in teams for the coveted title of Boules Champions for 2010. Click here to book by email in the Boules Competition

A farmers’ market, craft market stalls, musicians and children’s activities are also included in the line up of festival celebrations.

So make sure that you book early for the Food & Wine Marquee.
Tickets can be obtained from the Webtickets Website Here.

As usual our video camera will be there to capture all the action of this year’s event.

Coming to the Bastille Festival? Keep an eye on the weather here!!!

We are always excited for the weekend as the tasting room is packed full of jovial folk from the fairest cape and beyond. This year the real Frenchies will no doubt be wanting to celebrate and forget their team’s performance in the World Cup. Let’s hope a Frenchman can take the stage at the Tour de France to reinstate some French pride.

If you want make your way to the farm for a tasting, please be sure to call in advance as it is going to be jam packed all weekend. Make sure to use the contact form in the top banner.

An exciting new Food & Wine Bloggers Club has been launched in Cape Town, and its first meeting will be held at the Chef’s Warehouse and Cookery School on 19 May, from 18h00 – 20h00.

Based on bloggers’ needs to always learn something new about Social Media Marketing, and given that there is no Bloggers’ Manual to teach one about blogging, I decided to start a Bloggers Club, as I too wish to learn more.   As I enjoy writing about food, and enjoyed attending the Food Bloggers’ Conference in March, I decided to form a Bloggers’ Club that focuses on food and wine, and that “pairs” a food blogger with a wine blogger.  Every month a different food and wine blogger pair will address the Bloggers’ Club meeting.

I am delighted that Liam Tomlin, owner of the new Chef’s Warehouse and Cookery School in the Cape Town city centre, has come on board as a partner in the Food & Wine Bloggers’ Club, and his Cookery School, seating 20 persons, will host the meetings.  He will also make snacks to match the wine that the Wine Blogger will be presenting during his/her talk.

Each of the selected wine and food bloggers will speak for 30 minutes about his/her blog, giving a description of the content, spelling out their goals, and providing guidelines to the other bloggers present about how to be a better blogger.

Our first food and wine pair to speak is Michael Olivier of Michael Olivier Blog (www.michaelolivier.co.za) and Anel Grobler of Spit or Swallow Blog (www.spitorswallow.co.za).

Our programme of speakers for future Food & Wine Bloggers’ Club meeting are Pete Goffe-Wood of Kitchen Cowboys Blog (www.kitchencowboys.wordpress.com), Pieter Ferreira of Graham Beck and Bubbles of Wine Blog (www.bubblesonwine.wordpress.com), Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick Wine Estate and Vilafonte Blog (www.warwickwine.com/blog), Sam Wilson of Food24 (www.foodblogs.24.com), Rob Armstrong of Haut Espoir (www.hautespoir.com), Dax Villanueva of Relax-with-Dax Blog (www.relax-with-dax.co.za), Hein Koegelenberg of  La Motte and Hein Koegelenberg Blog (www.heinkoegelenberg.com), Clare Mack of Spill Blog (www.spill.co.za), Simon Back of Backsberg Blog (www.backsberg.co.za/blog), and Emile Joubert of Wine Goggle Blog (www.winegoggle.co.za)

Future Club meetings will be on 1 July, 28 July, 18 August, 22 September, 20 October, and 24 November.  A new speaker list for 2011 will be announced closer to the time.

The Chef’s Warehouse and Cookery School opened 3 weeks ago, and is a stockist of the most wonderful  local and imported kitchenware, glassware, crockery, utensils, pots, as well as a broad range of unusual ingredients, oils, essences, and teas.   Chef Liam Tomlin was the co-owner of Banc, Sydney’s top restaurant, whilst he was there.   He consults to British Airways, and to La Motte for their new restaurant opening in September.  For more details about the Chef’s Warehouse and Cookery School click here.

To attend a meeting of the Food & Wine Bloggers’ Club, or to volunteer to be a speaker, please e-mail me at info@whalecottage.com.  All aspirant bloggers, avid Blog readers wishing to meet their blogging heroes in person, and regular bloggers, are welcome to join the Club!   Entrance is R 150 per meeting, payable in advance by bank transfer or credit card.

The Chef’s Warehouse and Cookery School is at 50 New Church Street.  From Buitengracht Street turn into Buitensingel Street near the Caltex garage, below Bo-Kaap.  Turn first right into New Church Street.  The Cookery School is on the right, just off the corner, diagonally opposite the Protea Fire & Ice Hotel.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

Followers of good food and fine wine are in for a treat. The Beverly Hills hotel exclusive gourmet wine evenings are receiving rave reviews.

The Plantation Room of the hotel is the venue where one long mahogony table seating only 22 guests offers an exclusive yet interactive wine and food extravaganza. Four exceptional and sublime courses are served, each perfectly complimented by wines from the Haut Espoir Winery in Franshhoek.

The evening commences at 7.00pm for 7.30pm, with a glass of Haut Espoir Shiraz Rose 2008 served on the terrace before adjorning to the Plantation Room. Your host for the evening is Anne Armstrong, owner of Haut Espoir and it promises to be an memorable event!

Menu
First Course

Seafood Terrine

Dill scented smoked salmon wrapped terrine of mixed seafood

Haut Espoir Sauvignon Blanc 2008

• • •

Second Course

Queen Prawn au Gratin
Cognac flamed langoustine tails with sautéed mushrooms
oven-baked with a Dijon mustard and tarragon flavoured béchamel and emmental cheese

Haut Espoir Chardonnay 2008
• • •

Third Course
Asian Duck
Sesame seeded honey glazed confit duck leg set upon wasabi scented sweet potato mash
accompanied by an aromatic five spiced breast of duck satay
complimented by a sweet chilli plum sauce

Haut Espoir Gentle Giant 2006
• • •
Dessert
Selection of Matured Midland Cheeses with Lavash and preserves

Haut Espoir Shiraz 2005

Coffee and homemade Turkish delight

Bookings
Reservations are essential.
R325 per person

Please call Paula on 031 561 2211 or email paulan@beverlyhillshotel.co.za

Reservations only confirmed on receipt of payment.

Haut Espoir has recently upgraded our daily look into farm life. Whilst our website is now a little more corporate (with Rob and Mom keeping an eye over the new web guy) we still want to offer you a daily look into the farm and what goes on here, and some interesting articles we find around the internet.

So, we have created an account with Posterous, a simple tumble blog, and you can find it HERE.

There are even rumor spreading around The Hoek that we might get our winemaker to contribute, but they are rumors and we cannot confirm that any of this is actually true.

Have a surf across and keep a daily eye out for changes…

Naturally, a good way to find this out would be to follow us on Twitter on our page, HERE. You know we gave away some Gentle Giant on twitter last week, right?

You missed out?

Shame.

Keep watching….

Shiraz South Africa announces first Shiraz Showcase

This thursday, at the CTICC on 12 November 2009, Shiraz SA, the recently formed organization for all producers of Shiraz, are having a very unique tasting, and Haut Espoir are proud to be a part of the experience.

Shiraz SA have just announced their presentation of the first ever Shiraz Showcase where approximately 60 winemakers from South Africa will be exhibiting their best Shiraz wines.

The event will take place on Thursday 12 November 2009 in the Jasminum Restaurant at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Tickets will be limited to 300. Wine lovers and enthusiasts will not only be able to taste the best wines showcased by local producers but also some imported Shiraz products as well as the latest winners from national and international wine competitions.

The Shiraz Showcase will be presented between 17:30 and 20:30. This gives all lovers of Shiraz an excellent opportunity to pop in after work and taste this very exciting line-up of local and overseas wines.

Tickets, at R100.00 per person include a glass and catalogue of all the wines on show, and can be booked through Computicket, Shoprite Checkers or Checkers Hyper. It is advisable to purchase tickets prior to the event as no collection facilities will be available at the venue. More information can be obtained from http://www.computicket.com/

According to Edmund Terblanche, Chairman of Shiraz SA, the association’s mission is to focus on the promotion of the image of South African Shiraz. “In our pursuit of this we want to create a sustainable culture of acceptance and enjoyment around the world for South African Shiraz as well as maintain an organization that will fulfill the needs of its members.

Shiraz SA recently staged a most successful technical workshop and tasting which was attended by more than 100 winemakers and viticulturists. International as well as local producers took part in panel discussions that covered a number of topics.

We will be doing our tasting with our Shiraz 2005 and the Syrah 2006, two wines we are extremely proud of. There is a difference between Shiraz and Syrah and Rob will be more than willing to explain if you attend. Hope to see you there.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elsabé Ferreira at 083 309 7621 or Sandra Lotz at 082 924 7254

Tomorrow night, Wednesday the 28th of October, 2009 (I know, almost November already!) will see a fantastic event happening out in Noordhoek, at Rioja Restaurant. They have recently moved venues, so take note of the following, from their website:

Rioja Restaurant has moved premises to Solole Game Reserve, Noordhoek. The buffalo are still wandering, springbok are still greeting you at the gate as you enter the Solole Game Reserve. The tranquille setting lends itself to a lingering lunch, a romantic dinner or even the quick pizza and beer.

Rioja’s menu still has the tapas style starters to choose from, the favourite mains are in the menu as well as daily specials on the black board. The Italian style wood fired pizzas are as thin-crusted as before and homemade ice creams and cakes are prepared daily for the sweeter tooth.

Rioja have teamed up with TEARS to do a wine tasting with the hope of raising some much needed funding for their amazing cause, which simply, presents itself as:

What Does “TEARS” Do?

* “TEARS” is run by a committee, ably assisted by a team of volunteers, and is purely voluntary.
* We rescue dogs, puppies, cats and kittens from abuse, cruelty, neglect and starvation and offer shelter to abandoned animals. They come from the townships, the freeways, and industrial and residential areas.
* We run an informal clinic from a shipping container in the centre of Masiphumelele (Site 5) on the Kommetjie Road, offering basic help to the township animals, such as dipping and de-worming, arranging for spays/neutering, homing puppies, hospitalising injured animals, supplying kennels, collars and limited food. We are also active in the Ocean View, near Kommetjie, and visit the Red Hill informal settlements once a week, providing the same services as we do for Masiphumelele.
* We also respond to hundreds of calls for help from the general public from areas ranging from our local communities to as far as the Northern Suburbs, Milnerton and Table View.
* All our rescued animals are vaccinated, de-wormed and sterilised by veterinarians.
* People wishing to adopt an animal are interviewed either personally or on the telephone and home visits are made to ensure the home is suitable, e.g. high walls, warm sleeping conditions, being taken in as part of the family, regular exercise, veterinary care when necessary.

What an amazing cause, right? As you all know, Haut Espoir is particularly vocal when it comes to the environment, and animals get the same amount of respect from all of us here in Franschoek.

Officially the tasting begins at 7:30pm, and you can find the details here on our Facebook page.

We are asking you to bring something, anything really, to benefit the animals who are a part of TEARS and their efforts. Blankets, petfood, shelter, and yes, even ZAR will be accepted to really make a difference to those people who donate their time and effort selflessly to help animals who have run out of options in life.

We hope to see you there…

To all the  loyal followers of Haut Espoir, you will have to excuse me please while I find my feet again with the internets…coming off a great Cherry Flava Media day, where we learnt all about digital media and had a very ‘intense how to for the SA Wine Industry’ session,  my mind is overflowing with ideas.  I was inspired by Jon Cherry and what he had to say about the strategy required.  One of my favourite take aways from the day was a reference to Steve Jobs, and how he is as proud of the things he didn’t do, as he is of the things he did do.     So expect less, maybe expect more.  This whole exercise we’re embarking on is about finding a strategy that works for the farm.

Hence I am going to excuse myself from the vibe for a while, and you will be my guinea pigs.   There might be a few non relative posts coming and going while I try out new features, the whole look and feel of the farm might change while I’m practicing…during this time I would encourage you to leave as many comments about what you are liking and disliking on the pages.    What you would like to hear from us?  More on the family, more about BWI, more about wine and farming, more on fynbos, I need your input.   Please.    In the words of Fred from Heavy Chef, never trust a skinny chef, and be focused.   Here comes the focus.   Brand ambassadors please step up.   Ill make sure you dont go thirsty while were going through the teething and growth phases.

A quick update: the Haut Espoir fan who posts the most constructive comments will win a magnum bottle of Gentle Giant 2006!  get typing!

Here is a bit of local Franschhoek spice for you, in the early hours  Monday night… I didn’t hear a thing, Erica tells me she heard the bang and crash…its left awesome skid marks.  Luckily no one was hurt in the making of this blog post….

These shots coming from Garth,  literally right outside the farms gates.   According to Franschhoek’s Medicare EMR, the occupant of the Sentra ran away, and the Farmwatch driver was taken to hospital for x rays on his arm and knee.    The Farmwatch Bakkie is totalled.  Shame.