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Take it slow in Robertson Wine Valley

Brad Morgan

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21 July 2010

The beautiful Robertson Wine Valley in the Western Cape hosts the fourth "Robertson Slow" from 6 to 9 August. It's an opportunity for visitors to experience 26 world-class wineries and guesthouses and what they have to offer ... slowly.

Covering the area of Ashton, Bonnivale, McGregor and Robertson, the four-day programme is jam-packed with options.

Try a gourmet dinner with Arendsig Handcrafted Wines, or a picnic with Ashton Cellar next to a dam, reachable only with a 4x4, or their murder mystery dinner, or an eight-course Masquerade dinner at Bon Cap Organic.

Through the Breede River Hospice, there is an opportunity to enjoy a sit-down dinner with the people who were the pioneers of the Robertson Wine Valley. Learn about the history of the area and share in its stories.

Winetasting on horseback

Breakfasts and traditional lunches are also among the options. And there is, of course, ample opportunity for wine tastings, including Burcon Wine's day outing on horseback to visit three wineries.

At Golden Kaan, food and wine is combined with art, giving visitors a taste of local art and photography.

For those who wish to try something from further afield, Gubas De Hoek's Gunter and Balbina Huerttlen will host a South Africa meets Bavaria evening.

One way of learning how winemaking is done to be part of it and Kingsriver Estate's Ruud de Clercq is offering a hands-on vineyard experience and lunch that will include getting down and dirty in the vineyards and taking part in pruning.

Enjoy a two-day exploration of food with the award-winning Paul Engel, chef of the five-star-rated Mardouw Country House, who will share his secrets and guide visitors through menus from start to finish, and through different techniques of cooking.

Cheese and wine

Montagne Cheese and Wine Deli brings together two favourites: cheese and wine, to be tasted at the foot of a breathtaking waterfall.

"Poena" @ 9 Bree Street, McGregor will put on a Middle Eastern feast, while the Rhebokskraal Olive Estate will present an evening of food and song.

The Robertson Valley Regional Market takes place at the Klipdrift Farm on the R317 where a wide variety of farm fresh treats and delicacies will be on sale.

At Rusticus Vintage Cellar, Stephan and Lindi Busch will teach visitors how to make their own pasta and gnocchi, with a variety of Italian-inspired, homemade sauces, made from the freshest of ingredients.

At Tanagra Wines, Robert and Anette Rosenbach will put on a Sunday lunch, traditional of the German wine country.

Private tutored tasting

Loveren Vineyards will host a private tutored tasting of their reserve wines with winemaker Danelle Van Rensburg. After that, join the Four Cousins, Bussell Phillip, Hennie and Neil Retief for dinner.

Van Loveren have also carefully selected some of South Africa's favourite traditional food flavours and paired them with some of their award-winning wines for a great taste experience.

With Viljoensdrift Wines and River Cruises, visitors will take a cruise and have an opportunity to create their own picnic for the trip.

Italian fare is on the menu at Wederom where the "singing Italian pig farmer" Lorenzo Ciman from La Masseria will show how to make salami, coppa, pancetta and Italian sausages, employing the artisanal way that has been passed down from generation to generation.

A full programme of events is available on the Robertson Slow website. It also contains useful information including accommodation, other attractions, bookings, a map, and contact details.