Chef Marthinus Ferreira, middle, with Lucas Carstens, left, from Cavalli Estate and Fabio Danie of Rust en Vrede.
De Wetshof Chef's Lunch
As winter set in, De Wetshof provided a glow from its warmhearted sense of hospitality by hosting a select team of top chefs from the Cape at what has become known as the De Wetshof Chef's Lunch.
This institution began in 2011 when De Wetshof took the initiative of hosting an annual lunch for the region’s leading chefs. The motivation behind this occasion is to, over a casual lunch and a selection of De Wetshof wines, just simply show our appreciation for the important role chefs play in creating a culinary environment that provides such a vital market for South African wine in general.
Food and wine are synonymous. And by creating the excellent local restaurant and hotel offering for which South Africa has become known throughout the world, the chefs responsible for these provide a platform for showcasing the country's wines.
Besides this close relationship where wine and food are experienced at the many tables of the Cape, the skills-set of local chefs also inspire. As Johann de Wet said at the recent Chef's Lunch: "It is no small coincidence that the quality of South African wine has over the past decades grown alongside the phenomenal escalating excellence of our food offering," he said. "The better the food is which is being served in our restaurants and hotels, the better the wine must be. So, in this instance chef's should not underestimate the role they play in inspiring us to make better wines."
Gourmet delights from chef Marthinus Ferreira; Cheese for the finish; Johann de Wet at the Chef's lunch.
This year saw the De Wetshof Chef's Lunch hosted for the first time since 2019, that dastardly Covid-virus having disrupted the series of events. A different venue is selected for every Chef’s Lunch, and this year the chef's joined the De Wetshof team at Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch where Chef Marthinus Ferreira has his eponymous fine-dining eatery.
Some 25 chefs from various top Cape establishments joined Johann and Peter de Wet, as well as our marketing director Bennie Stipp at Chef Marthinus's table. It was pouring with rain outside, but the conviviality provided by an array of excellent dishes, the camaraderie between like-minded food and wine people and the glasses of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made for another truly special occasion. Photos by Sam Linsell.
New vintage wines on the market
It seems as if it was just the other day that the trucks of grapes were rolling into the cellar for crushing and vinifying, but five months on the season’s first 2024 De Wetshof wines are already bottled and on the market. On the Chardonnay side, the unwooded wine Limestone Hill 2024 is on the shelf, soon to be followed by of De Wetshof Bon Vallon and Calcrete. Of this year’s other wines Sauvignon Blanc and the stylish Lilya Rosé are already out in the market.
With Chardonnay yields being down this year for a number of climatic factors, grapes that made it through ripening showed immense fruit-concentration at time of harvest. Now that the juice has been fermented and allowed a few months’ on the lees, that concentration has evolved into wines expressing their sense of place and the Chardonnay variety in a brilliant, profound manner.
The discernible identity and unique traits of Bon Vallon, Limestone Hill and Calcrete are leaping from the glass, and this is a great vintage for consumers to experience the role terroir distinction plays in the final product. One grape – Chardonnay. Three different geographical sites, each with their own soil profile, aspect and climatic exposure. And this leads to three very different wines showcasing the world from which they come while remaining true to the wonderful backbone provided by the Chardonnay cultivar.
To buy the wines, click HERE.
The quiet magic of winter vineyards
The days are bright and cold on De Wetshof Estate, the vines now bare and deep in their invigorating winter slumber. This is the time for pruning, an essential part of the vineyard cycle, and the clickety-clack sound of snipping secateurs break the wonderful pastoral silence.
Pruning a wine vineyard is a critical viticultural practice that profoundly impacts the health and productivity of grapevines, ultimately influencing the quality of the wine produced. This essential task involves selectively removing parts of the vine, such as canes, shoots, and leaves, to regulate growth and optimise fruit production.
One of the primary reasons for pruning is to manage the vine's vigour. Grapevines are naturally vigorous plants that can produce excessive foliage if left unchecked. This overgrowth can lead to a dense canopy, which inhibits sunlight penetration and air circulation. Proper pruning ensures that the vine maintains a balanced canopy, enhancing photosynthesis and reducing the risk of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis.
Pruning also directly affects the quantity and quality of the grape yield. By removing unwanted or less productive shoots, growers can concentrate the vine's resources on the remaining shoots, promoting the growth of high-quality grapes. This process helps in achieving a more consistent and desirable fruit set, which is crucial for producing wines with concentrated flavours and balanced acidity.
Moreover, pruning is vital for maintaining the structure and form of the vine. It helps in shaping the vine to suit specific training systems and facilitates ease of vineyard management practices, such as harvesting and pest control.
Pruning is an indispensable practice in vineyard management. It ensures vine health, improves grape quality, and enhances the overall efficiency of vineyard operations, all of which are essential for producing premium wines. Which is, at the end of the day, our ultimate goal.
If you are planning a visit to Robertson in Spring, be sure to join De Wetshof for the Chardonnay Life Family Day on 21 September for what promises to be a delightful celebration of wine, food and family.
Enjoy fresh oysters from the famous Mussel Monger Oyster Bar, paired with our Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs and other award-winning Chardonnays. Boerewors rolls will also be available, and the range of De Wetshof wines will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the tasty offerings of this renowned estate. Live music, lawn games and a child friendly environment promises to make for an unforgettable day of enjoyment and relaxation in the serenity of a world-renowned Robertson wine estate.
For reservations, e-mail frontdesk@dewetshof.com or WhatsApp the front desk at 084 584 7494. Hoping to see you there!