Wining and Dining in South Africa

                                                                                         

Wine Farm Restaurants

Although South Africa has been producing wine since the late 1600s, the industry has really come into its own over the past few post-apartheid decades.

The Constantia region became an established wine producing area in 1685 after Simon van Der Stel, then Governor of the Cape, built an estate in False Bay.
It was only in 1918 that the Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika Bpkt (or KWV) was established in an effort to manage and organise the industry and allow for farmer representation.

In the period that followed between the establishment of Constantia and the wine and dine industry we know today, there were varying restrictions on the production and consumption of wine.

With its headquarters located in Paarl, the KWV co-operative is still operating today – although, it has passed many of its regulatory responsibilities to the South African Wine Industry Trust.

The Constantia region was extremely successful and is still known for its produce, especially the Constantia desert wine, as well as the scenic wine farms and award winning restaurants scattered throughout the area.

The Modern South African Wine Industry

South Africa is one of the top ten producers of wine in the world, along side France and Australia, Chile and many others and therefore has a definite level to live up to in terms of industry standards – a level which South African wine producers on the whole reach and often surpass.

Most South African producers focus on Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Colombard grapes - while Pinotage, South Africa’s own grape variety - a blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsault - is also gaining major popularity worldwide.

These days, viticulture and the so called ‘wine lifestyle’ are ingrained into many elements. It’s not uncommon for many wine regions in South Africa to be immersed in domestic vineyard housing. Luxury homes set in between the rolling hills of Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s better known regions, create opulent living alternatives in the humble heart of the farm lands.

Wining & Dining at South Africa’s Wine Farm Restaurants

From the famous vines in the Western Cape to the fortified wine lands of the Klein Karoo, there are plenty of farms tucked away around the many wine regions of the country. Most of these farms host tastings of their selected favourites along with great restaurants and eateries.

These wine farm restaurants are some of the most sumptuous in the country, while many winemakers may offer other produce such as strawberries, cheeses, olives or chocolate to compliment the wine.

Many farms in South Africa are home to museums or galleries which are open to the public, and house anything from appealing collections, artworks and photographs to the history of the farm itself.

Featured South African Wine Farm: Hazendal Estate

Established in 1699 during the initial boom of South African wine farming and later purchased in 1994 by Dr Mark Voloshin, Hazendal Estate is a family run farm situated on the majestic hills just outside Stellenbosch.

Owner, Dr Mark Voloshin is of Russian origin and has instilled a Russian culture, tradition and charm to the estate, without losing the Cape Dutch style that the Western Cape Winelands naturally exude - a characteristic unique to this part of the world's wine industry.

Award winning Hazendal winemaker Ronel Wiid uses mostly natural processes, while the Russian touches are responsible for the creation of the estates most noteworthy selections; the premium label Hazendal, Kleine Hazen and the well liked White Nights Methode Cap Classique.

Hazendal Estate invites wine experts and novices alike to visit the farm for tasting of their popular wines with the beautiful mountains of the area as a backdrop. Picnics are also offered seven days a week, featuring a selection of snacks, breads, cheese and preserves – there are also kiddies picnics available suitable for those underdeveloped palates.

The Marvol Museum of Russian Art and Culture is also based on the South African wine farm, and features a collection of Russian realist paintings, religious artworks and Faberge eggs. The museum, which doubles up as a conference and lecture venue, also has a jewellery showroom.

About the author:
About The Author
Hazendal Wine Estate on the Bottelary Hills of South Africa's Western Cape blends established cape wine making culture with Russian nuances. Boasting the marvellous Hazendal restaurant, this wine estate offers travellers an ideal day out in the Winelands.

http://www.hazendal.co.za


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