Waterkloof in Somerset West is a fantastic spot for winter wine tasting, with its roaring fireplace and expansive floor-to-ceiling views over rolling vineyards and the distant sea.
I visited the estate on a windy afternoon, and spent a happy hour doing a tasting of their fantastic wines, starting off with the Waterkloof Sauvignon Blanc (R155 a bottle). With its cool sea breezes, Waterkloof has the perfect location for producing great white varietals.
The grapes for the Circumstance Sauvignon Blanc (R90 a bottle) are grown in the middle of the farm, so this Sauv Blanc is more typical than the former estate-branded one. It’s aged in oak for six months and has a soft fruitiness.
The Circle of Life White (R120 a bottle) is a fruity, dry-style blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin and Semillon. The Circumstance Chenin Blanc is oak-matured for 15 months, and is rich in flavour ‚ a good food wine.
Moving onto reds, we tried the Circumstance Syrah (R155 a bottle), not a typical spicy shiraz, it was more on the fruity side. The Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon (R155 a bottle) is matured in French oak for 22 months, and a full-bodied wine (great for pairing with a roaring fire). We finished off with the very quaffable Circle of Life Red (R120 a bottle) ‚ a blend of Rhone and Bordeaux varietals that changes every year.
After doing a tasting, have lunch or dinner in the restaurant. Chef Gregory Czarnecki creates dishes to pair with the estate’s wines ‚ the wine actually comes first in the recipe creation. I tried the Camembert cr√®me brulee with curried walnuts and an apple and celery sorbet, paired with the Waterkloof Sauvignon Blanc, and the monkfish and crispy prawn with ginger beer compressed apple and curry, paired with the Circumstance Viognier, which were all delicious. You can also try the degustation menu, where you have six courses with wine pairing for R490.
If you’re not eating in the restaurant, Order a ploughman’s platter (R120) or a cheese platter (R80) to accompany the wine tasting.
Waterkloof Wines
Tastings take place from 10h00 to 17h00 and costs R30 a person.
For a review of the restaurant, click here. The restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, and for Sunday lunch. Main course prices range from around R100 to R160.
Tel: 021-858-1491
Address: Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West
www.waterkloofwines.co.za
Tagged Waterkloof, Wine, wine tastings, winter
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