The opening of the new winery and tasting room shines a markedly positive light on the future of the wine company. Cape Wine 2012 also sparked a great level of excitement amongst the team having received optimistic feedback from numerous wine connoisseurs worldwide. The inauguration of Aaldering Vineyards & Wines stunning new facilities was held on the 28th of September with a celebratory ‘Braai’. Guests included South African and International wine press, notable figures of the international wine industry and even the Dutch Consular General, Mr. de Waal and his wife made an appearance. The event was a great success and was a perfect way to cap off Cape Wine week. The Braai was a chic affair with the talented Henri O’Dyke on the piano to set the tone for evening. Chef Guido cooked up a gourmet storm with highlights including eikeboom boerewors served with a balsamic onion marmalade as well as open flame grilled peppered venison fillet with port-wine mushrooms. The selection of French and Dutch cheeses for dessert accompanied by a sneak tasting of the 2012 Pinotage, poured straight from the stainless steel tank 4 months into aging delighted, amazed and excited guests with a complex fruity explosion. Winemaker Dustin Osborne was “beyond elated to see the ubiquitous enthusiasm in regard to the adolescent wine”. “A lot of time, effort and planning went into organising both Cape Wine and our Braai” says Janine Smink, the Global Marketing and Sales Manager. This was evident at Cape Wine and the Braai as they both came off with an air of ease and resulted in a luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere, echoing the wine brand perfectly. Aaldering Vineyards & Wines came to the decision to create the winery on the Aaldering estate in order to have full control over the wine-making process. A new tasting room was also built to complement the development. It elegantly picks up on cultural themes of South Africa, with the interior design by Marianne Aaldering herself. “I really wanted to reflect the charm and class of the brand whilst incorporating the rich culture of our location” Marianne Aaldering comments. The winery has also just launched the Maiden Vintage Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and the Maiden Vintage Pinotage Blanc 2012. These were showcased at Cape Wine and of course enjoyed at the Braai. The Pinotage Blanc intrigued the wine industry, as a so called Blanc de Noir from a Pinotage grape is very rarely seen, especially in a 100% stainless steel production. It was overwhelmingly well-received with its lovely floral and peachy aromas along with a graceful depth in the mouth feel. The Sauvignon Blanc 2012 was also a hit amongst industry heavy-weights. This wine was aged Sur Lie in stainless steel tanks for 7 months and displayed a refreshing tropical taste with a balanced acidity as well as a lingering finish. Fons Aaldering is “very enthusiastic” about the future of the company. “We have been constantly growing and improving since Day 1, so it was a privilege to see our hard work pay off during Cape Wine,” he states, “and of course seeing our winery full of people having a good time at the Braai was a very surreal and wonderful experience”. Fons and Marianne Aaldering’s aspiration to produce iconic wines began to come into fruition in 2004 when they bought a 24 hectare estate in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch, South Africa. This was the birth of Aaldering Vineyards & Wines, a company focused on delivering premium quality wines to wine lovers all around the world. These boutique, artisan wines are characterised by their undeniably focused and carefully crafted flavours and aromas. A highly sophisticated wine making process as well as a devoted team have allowed this dream to flourish into a great success. Visit Aaldering Vineyards & Wines on Devon Valley Road, 7599, Stellenbosch, South Africa | Telephone on +21.27 79 526 8026 | Visit their website | Follow on Twitter