The winemaker told us a humorous story about a crooked prospector who convinced investors he had discovered a silver deposit in the Simonsberg in 1740 by salting soil deposits with silver from old coins! Zorgvliet named their premium wine range Silver Myn after discovering the old abandoned trenches on the mountain slopes. These days the winemaker says he ³mines the soil for its viticultural potential at one of the most advanced wine cellars in South Africa". In the Silver Myn range, we tasted the superb single varietal wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc as well as a delicious dry rose and a Cabernet Franc /Merlot blend which won Zorgvliet a double gold Veritas award in 2005.
Building on the concept of Vineyard Holidays, Zorgvliet also operates a travel desk at the wine tasting facility which arranges day-trips, foreign exchange, car-hire as well as a range of leisure activities on the wine farm. In another innovation, visitors can book outings with a vine ranger who will accompany guests on guided vineyard walks every evening on weekdays as well as guided breakfast walks every Tuesday and Thursday. Visitors can sample special barrel tastings and twice-daily tours at the state-of-the-art cellar which has special ramps for the disabled. At Zorgvliet they like to think of everyone living up to their wine label logo, 'special wines for special people'.
One of the most alluring aspects of Zorgvliet is its rich heritage. An avenue of stately date palms leads past a white picket fence, landscaped lawns and a lake to the exquisitely restored Herenhuis 1692 restaurant. With a thatched roof, gables, crooked wooden beams, thick limewashed walls and period furniture, the manor house recaptures the romantic era of the old Cape. In the 19th century the farm belonged to Christiaan Frederik Beyers, father of the Boer General CF Beyers, born here in 1869. Local artist Robert Koch was commissioned to portray the splendour of Banhoek Valley and Zorgvliet in a series of paintings which now grace the three elegant dining-rooms - the Banhoek, Beyers and Bootmanskop rooms (a tribute to the old Cape mariners).
Herenhuis 1692 puts a modern spin on traditional South African cuisine. Over dinner we sampled the summer menu created by hands-on owner Marietjie van der Merwe and chef Wynand Smidt. We started with smoked springbok with preserved green figs and Zorgvliet¹s zesty Sauvignon Blanc. For mains, we shared delicious roast rack of Karoo lamb with rosemary and grilled kudu in a Zorgvliet red wine jus the chef¹s local supplier is a closely-guarded secret - paired with Zorgvliet¹s concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon. The menu celebrates the cultural diversity of South Africa in the form of crayfish, bobotie springrolls, marinated biltong salad, slow-braised oxtail, curry and creamy chicken pie.
Guests at Zorgvliet have three choices of accommodation Le Pommier Country Lodge, Banhoek Vineyard Suites or the brand-new Zorgvliet suites which opened in October 2005. We stayed at the Banhoek Vineyard Lodge an elegant venue in the vineyards. Built around a swimming-pool and courtyard, the spacious, elevated suites feature Balinese blinds and contemporary decor, a fabulous bathroom and a private balcony with a dreamy view of the Simonsberg. I left the shutters up so we could wake up to sunrise in our villa in the vineyards. Who could ask for more on a vineyard holiday?
Governor Simon van der Stel would be mighty pleased to see how things have worked out in the Banhoek Valley - A legacy that draws tourists from all over the world to the Cape Winelands today. |
