Buitenverwachting Wine Estate
[E] Ntsiki Biyela winemaker at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch
*Come on a wine & food tour with us!* --- An interview with the winemaker at the Stellenbosch winery Stellekaya, Ntsiki Biyela. She is one of the very few black women wine makers in South Africa, perhaps even the first. The winery is close to the town Stellenbosch which is also the name of the wine region. The vineyards are quite a bit a way from winery. The name Stellekaya means home of the stars. Most of the wines are named after astrological star constellations (Capricorn, Taurus, Scorpio, Orion etc).
Stellekaya only make red wines: blends and varietals. They have cabernet sauvignon (called Scorpio), a merlot and a shiraz. They make several blends: sangiovese, merlot and cs (called Hercules), Bordeaux style (cs, merlot, cab franc), Cape blend with merlot, cs and pinotage. Wines often highly rated by John Platter in the Platter guide. The wines are generally very elegant with a lot of fruit. Ntsiki Biyela, the wine maker wants to have the fruit prominent with a lot of freshness.
Ntsiki has been winemaker since 2004. Over the years her wine making has changed, improved, learning from experience. There are always changes depending on the vintage but the style with fruit and elegance remains the same.
Making wine was not originally something that Ntsiki Biyela had thought of doing. Her first taste of wine was a strange experience: it was horrible, why would anyone want to drink this, she thought. She had the opportunity to study viticulture and vinification so she came to study at the Stellenbosch University on a scholarship. She has since been named Woman Winemaker of the Year (in 2009). Ntsiki comes from KwaZulu-Natal where they grow sugar cane, bananas but no grapes, and where drinking wine is not part of the traditional culture. Not yet.
More on Stellekaya:
Music: Marco Esu, Primo risveglio,
By BKWine, Interviewer: Per Karlsson, BKWine. © Copyright BKWine, Per Karlsson.
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Wine Time at Mont Rochelle | Sir Richard Branson's South African Luxury Hotel and Vineyard
Discover the incredible wine tasting experience at Sir Richard Branson's luxury hotel and vineyard in Franschhoek, South Africa. Meet Mont Rochelle's wine maker and learn about wine tasting tours on horse back or by bicycle, along with the wine tasting experience at Mont Rochelle. Discover the rest of the Virgin Limited Edition collection
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South African Wines, Cape Winelands Official Video
Adventure through South African wine farms, dive with sharks, explore 4x4 trails and hiking in cape town.
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There are tons of exciting things to do in South Africa's mother city like, windsurfing in cape town, Killarney racing, mountain climbing, mountain biking and many more.
With Cape Tourist Guides helping you explore South Africa's Nature and it's surrounding Wilderness such as kruger national park, garden route, world of birds south Africa, south african west coast, nature trail, bushman art, robben island, kirstenbosch botanical gardens and soo much more.
there is no reason for you not to come explore our beautiful country.
South African Wine Safari Moreson Chardonnay
We are introduced to Moreson's wonderful Chardonnay by Clinton, winemaker extraordinaire...
Stellenbosch Wine Route
Stellenbosch is a place of great beauty and culture that's steeped in South African tradition. The Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Route is arguably the country's most famous, and includes over 140 farms - most of which are open to the public. Enjoy a long day's wine tasting, and wine buying and you'll sip more than our great South African wines - you'll taste our South African way of life.
Patatsfontein - A South Africa wine story
In 2014, three friends undertook a journey. They began bottling a vineyard from the unheralded wine-making region of Montagu. Patatsfontein Steen has gone on to great things, becoming one of South Africa's great wine stories of recent years.
This is that story.
It’s also about those who helped them along the way. And coincidence. And old vineyards. And terroir. And the price of grapes. And friendship. It’s about other things too.
With an ever-increasing number of outstanding wines to their name, the “Ronnie B” team now sits with a number of others at the forefront of a South African wine revolution. There’s a way to go yet, but it’s stories and wines such as theirs that bring much needed and well-deserved attention to South African wine.
Ep 292: The Secret, Stunning Wine of Swartland, South Africa
Just 40 miles/65 km north of Cape Town lies a large area that makes the most exciting, sought after wines in South Africa. Swartland (Dutch for 'black land') is full of young, passionate winemakers making wines that respect the hot, dry land from which they derive and are able to create wines of such depth, flavor, and nuance that it’s hard to believe so few know about them. In this show, we tell you about the Syrah, Rhône and Mediterranean varietals, the Chenin Blanc and other stunning white blends coming from this area and why you need to seek it out ASAP!
Overview of the region…
Swartland was oncea rural backwater, better known for wheat fields than vineyards Vineyards traditionally grew where wheat couldn’t -- on the northern side of Paardeberge Mountains in the south, the plains of Piketberg in the north, and the smaller Ward of Riebeekberg and Kasteelberg Mountains in the east Lots of old vines on slopes where nothing else grows, hand harvested The climate ishot and dry with very low summer rainfall but with consistent afternoon and evening breezes off the Atlantic Ocean. Growers have less concern about fungus and other diseases. They use the ecosystem to keep the vineyards healthy with integrated pest management, bush training of vines, and dry farming
We dork out on plate tectonics!
Swartland has ancient geology. The terroirresulted from a combination of tectonic collisions, ancient volcanic activity and continental separation The soils are the oldest in the world and are a mix of shale, arenite sandstone and granite, schist based terroirs. Malmesbury shale on Kasteelberg Mtn is the dominant soil. vertical layering structure caused by tectonic shifts. Water drains away and vines dig deeper for liquid nourishment
Grapes/Winemaking
We talk about the grapes and terroir driven wines of the region Red grapes: Syrah/Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Carignan, Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca, Pinotage White grapes:Chenin blanc, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette, Palomino, Sémillon, Muscat d’Alexandria, Muscat d’Frontignan, Colombard and Verdelho. Viticulture:A lot of natural, noninvasive methods of farming Winemaking:larger barrels that impart less flavor, less racking and stirring to keep earthy flavors, unfiltered, unfined wines – low input wines The Ward of Riebeekbergnear the towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West has vineyards on eastern slopes of the Kasteelberg Mountain make big reds of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay that are complex
We talk about South African and Swartland Wine history
We discuss how South Africa lies somewhere between the Old World and New World styles. We discuss the early history in the 1660s, with the arrival of the French Huguenots who planted vineyards. We tell the story of how, in late 1990s, Charles Back of Goats do Roam fame went to Swartland to source grapes and wound up transforming the area by buying land and hiring Eben Sadie to run his “Spice Route” wines in 1998. We discuss the modern history of the region and why it takes a special person to make wine in conditions withlow rainfall, un-irrigated vines and paltry yields.
Producers and the Swartland revolution
We discuss Swartland Independent Producers (SIP), an association that runs the Swartland Revolution celebration every November Their goal: Wines that are a true expression of their origin. Like old world AOPs -- distinctive wines but also making them so as to speak about a sense of place See the list of requirements and the producers here:
Top producers
AA Badenhorst: AA Badenhorst Family White, AA Badenhorst Family Red are flagships; Secateurs produced from purchased fruit Lammershoek:Traditional producer Testalonga:“naked” style, funky wines Lammershoek:Libero No. 5 Mullineux: Syrahs and white blends; entry level Kloof Street Porseleinberg Sadie Family: Columella – Syrah-based blend (famous), Palladius – rich style white; cheaper, co-owned Sequillo range
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Last Bottle
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Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with,...
Chamonix Wine Estate
Experience the award-winning quality that is Chamonix Wine Estate in Franschhoek, South Africa, and meet Thinus the winemaker.
FineWinesnMore - Waterkloof Stellenbosch South Africa.
At Waterkloof the belief is, minimalistic approach to winemaking following traditional ways results in the production of fine wine.
#Stellenblog 2017 Day 4: Spier Segway Tour, Hoghouse Lunch & Party Time
Day 4 started with a bang! A Segway tour through the vineyards of the always beautiful Spier Wine Estate. Afterwards we had a wine-tasting on the Werf with winemaker Johan Jordaan.
After all the excitement we were ready for lunch. And man we were not disappointed. Lunch at Hoghouse, which is situated at Spier, was amazing.
We ended the afternoon with a local Tweet Up & Instawalk through the town of Stellenbosch. We explored some of the great locations within the town.
Then it was off to get ready for the highly anticipated #stellenblog party at Jordan Wines.
For more information on our day follow these links:
Spier -
Segway Tours -
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Winemaking, Cape Town
Gurjap loved the Cape's world-famous wines, while Radha watched in amusement as he attempted to learn the art of wine tasting.
Gurjap: I don't know about you, but I think tours can seem a bit impersonal, so when our journey took us to the Cape Winelands, we arranged a behind-the-scenes tour of a winery in Stellenbosch.
Rickety Bridge Winery has a long history of winemaking in this area. The Cape Winelands remind me of the English countryside, so green and lush.
Wynand, our guide, taught me the Three S's of tasting: swirl, smell and then sip. When I spluttered after my first try Radha teased me. It's three S's, Gurjap, she laughed, not four! Fortunately, I'm a fast learner, but with wine this good who wouldn't want more than just a little sip.
Africa Travel: Spier Wine Farm, South Africa
Set amid the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the Western Cape peninsula of South Africa, the Cape Winelands area is home to whitewashed homesteads, Cape Dutch architecture, and towns with French names. It is also the heart of the nation’s flourishing wine industry. Spier Hotel, your base for exploring this region, is home to picturesque vineyards and world-class wellness centers and spas.
Click here to book a deluxe river cruise to Africa:
Gugulethu teacher turned wine entrepreneur
A story of one of South Africa’s few female winemakers and the uphill journey she takes to change the face of wine production in Africa.
Deetlefs Wine Estate Rawsonville South Africa
Deetlefs Wine Estate was founded in 1822 and is is the 4th oldest family owned wine estate in South Africa
The vineyard is about an hours drive from Cape Town in the Western Cape at the foot of the Du Toitskloof Mountain range.
We got a beautiful day where the owner showed us around the premises and production facilities. The winemaker Ferdi Visser gave us a tasting of excellent wines. Our favorites was some of the Chenin Blancs and Pinotages. The setting is beautiful, the people are the nicest and most professional you can ask for, and the wines are just amazing. If you’re in Cape Town a visit is highly recommended. And if you don’t happen to be on site in South Africa, we still recommend you to try out their wines.
Why we cycle in Stellenbosch
Why we cycle in Stellenbosch is a production of Stellenbosch Fietsry/Cycling, an NPC promoting bicycling in Stellenbosch, South Africa, as a means of mobility, excercise and fun. This video was funded by the Pedal Power Association.
Springbok Casino Salutes South African Wine
This month Springbok Casino ( raises a glass to toast South Africa’s ten world-renowned wine producing areas. To celebrate the country’s rich wine-making history, the casino is giving free spins on its popular Lucha Libre slot.
One of the top ten producers in the world, South Africa produces about 4% of the world’s wine, mostly near the coast in the Western Cape. To earn the important Wine of Origin (WO) designation, wines must contain grapes from only one of the 27 diverse districts. Springbok has collected a series of videos ( introducing players to ten of these fascinating regions.
Established in 1679, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s Napa Valley. The second oldest settlement in South Africa it has a winemaking tradition of more than 300 years.
With more than 250 years of winemaking knowledge and close to 20,000 cultivated hectares, the Worcester winelands, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, account for almost a third of the country’s wine and spirits production. Worcester Wine Route forms part of Cape Route 62, the longest wine route in the world.
Paarl is another one of the most famous wine-producing areas in South Africa, named after the way rounded granite outcrops on top of Pearl Mountain glisten after the rain. Red, white and rosé Paarl’s wine are well recognised among wine connoisseurs around the world.
Boasting a history of more than 300 years, the Constantia Valley is the oldest wine-producing region in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Cape’s most northerly wine-growing region stretches along the Orange River providing an extensive range of dessert wines, semi-sweet wines and blends, though reds are also being increasingly planted.
Springbok’s videos ( also showcase wineries in The Klein Karoo where and harsh conditions are ideal for the production of excellent wines which are largely grown organically.
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Springbok entertains South African online casino players with hundreds of games from Realtime Gaming. They’re all played in Rands and customer service is available in both English and Afrikaans. Next week, the casino will introduce Gemtopia, a dazzling new jewel-encrusted game from Realtime Gaming with expanding wilds, free spins and progressive jackpots.
Blaauwklippen Wine Estate South Africa - Africa Travel Channel
at Blaauwklippen Wine estate youll find a unique mixture of old and new, local and international, tradition and innovation. This is also mirrored in our philosophy and approach to winemaking and viticulture. When it comes to the history of Blaauwklippen we are proud of it, enriched by it, and determined not to forget it. It is a wealth that lies deeper than what we own; it is the heart and soul of who we are. Our roots, our heritage and the very heartbeat that still drives the Blaauwklippen brand and products today.
Allee Bleue Vineyards
The first of a series of Allêe Bleue video clips:
ABOUT ALLÉE BLEUE ESTATE Allée Bleue Estate is situated in Groot Drakenstein, in the heart of the Western Cape winegrowing region. Close to Franschhoek, the picturesque Estate owes its name to the giant, 'blue' eucalyptus trees which line the entrance to the farm. Elke and Wilfried Dauphin acquired what is now known as Allée Bleue Estate in 1999. The farm was established in 1690 and is one of the oldest and most cherished properties in the Cape. Over the past decade, the Dauphin's have invested significantly in the farm including the re-introduction of wine making which had not been in practice for the past 150 years and also placed a focus on hospitality; making Allée Bleue a sought-after destination amongst South Africans and international visitors to the Cape.
Allée Bleue's gardens -- shady oak trees and vast lawns edged with lavender walks and masses of white roses - play host to picnics, concerts, and wedding celebrations.
WINE MAKING The Dauphins initially invested substantially in the farm's infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art cellar which was completed in 2006, and began producing wines under the Allée Bleue label in 2001. Both red and white wines are currently produced, as well as award-winning blends.
Van Zyl Du Toit has a simple and straight-forward winemaking philosophy: Attention to detail throughout the winemaking process is the key to producing excellent wines. The smallest detail, whether in the vineyards or in the cellar, can have a huge impact on the final result in the bottle. Our wines are not the cheapest. What we want at Allée Bleue is to be the best in our price range.
Allowed to develop in American and French oak barrels for a year, the reds are characterised by powerful tannins to ensure an opulent finish. In contrast, the white wines surprise with their refreshing, fine acidity and aromas of peaches and tropical fruits and they are fermented in stainless-steel tanks for nine months.
Visitors to Allée Bleue may enjoy a wine tasting either in the delightfully relaxed courtyard of the Tasting Centre - conveniently located at the entrance to the Estate or by special arrangement with the winemaker. Alternatively, Bistro Allée Bleue, the Estate's stylishly appointed restaurant set in a restored Cape Dutch building opposite the Tasting Centre, is the perfect setting in which to enjoy any of the Estate's delicious wines either by the glass or by the bottle at cellar-door prices.
a BottlePlatePillow production
TRAVEL: Cozy winter getaway in Stellenbosch Part 2
A wintery staycation in Stellenbosch is exactly what the doctor ordered. Get out of the winter slump and explore your country.
Our next stop on our 3 day staycation was Neil Ellis.
Mindful that no single vineyard can satisfy the needs of all grape varieties, Niel Ellis set out
to identify distinct terroir in which individual varieties will excel. He placed the emphasis not
only on the environment but also on caring viticultural practices by a dedicated team of
growers which extends through to the winemaking.
NEIL ELLIS WINES (PTY) LTD.
Tel: +27-21-887-0649
Fax: +27-21-887-0647
Email: info@neilellis.com
Physical Address
R310 Helshoogte Road
Stellenbosch
Winemaking Enquiries
Email: cellar@neilellis.com
GPS Coordinates
Latitude:-33.92522 Longitude: 18.89131
Our next stop was our GORGEOUS accommodation: Zorgvliet
Zorgvliet’s warm and welcoming Country Lodge caters for the needs of every individual with exceptional attention to detail. This Lodge offers guests an opportunity to truly experience the unique personality of the Stellenbosch winelands, from service and hospitality, through to accommodation and dining and individually decorated. All our rooms offer views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. Our Lodge features a private wine studio and outdoor swimming pool area. For other activities on the farm we offer wine tastings and also have a picnic area that will provide the perfect spot to unwind during your stay.
Zorgvliet Wine Estate
Banghoek Valley
Helshoogte Rd
Stellenbosch, 7600
E: info@zorgvliet.com
P: 021 885 1399
Day 2 started with a gorgeous breakfast spread at Zorgvliet and then we hit the road. Just a few minutes from Zorgvliet was our next destination.
Our next stop was Oldenburg Vineyards.
Oldenburg Vineyards is a premium boutique winery, producing small quantities of red and white wine. Situated in the mountains outside Stellenbosch, our vineyards are managed
without compromise to maximise the potential of our magnificent terroir. Set against abackdrop of stunning natural beauty our unique location inspires a sustainable approach in the vineyards; ultimately producing exciting wines.
Oldenburg Vineyards (Pty) Ltd, Zevenrivieren Road, Banghoek Valley, Stellenbosch
GPS co-ordinates: 33° 55′ 45.03″ S, 18° 56′ 45.32″ E
T +27 (0)21 885 1618
F +27 (0)21 885 2665
E tastingroom@oldenburgvineyards.com (for wine tastings and general enquiries)
E homestead@oldenburgvineyards.com (for accommodation enquiries)
Postal Address
PO Box 2246, Dennesig, 7601
Tasting Room Hours
Monday – Friday: 10h00 – 16h30
Saturdays & Public Holidays: 10h00 – 16h00
Sundays: Closed
Part 3 of the 3 day staycation coming next week...
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