Follow:
Lifestyle, Recipes & Food

Wining and Dining with Nederburg

Sox and I have been pretty stressed out. Our wedding experience has certainly tested us and if I had to actually share everything that’s been happening, you’d think I was making half the stuff up! It has been pretty hectic and while wedding planning stress is a rite of passage, we have really been dealt some heavy cards!

We have decided to serve Nederburg wines and last week we were invited to a wine tasting experience. To be perfectly honest, Sox and I were quite worried because we genuinely didn’t think we had the time to take a few hours out – especially looking at our ever growing to-do list and the few days we have left.

In the car, we decided to just embrace it and enjoy the experience and I am so incredibly happy we did. It was exactly what we needed! It was the few hours we needed to get away from it all, leave the lists and errands behind and reconnect with each other.We were met by Annetjie, who took us on a wine tour. If you visit Nederburg, ask for Annetjie. She is AMAZING! You’ll be transported into the different eras of Nederburg and it’s rich history, thanks to her passionate story telling. She really has a wonderful way of explaining how things work in a way that has you begging for more.

You know how much I love a good story and Nederburg is all about the Story! I can’t believe it all began in 1791 – did you? It really struck me how much love is poured in and family rich this product is! Every person who has been involved and played such an important role has turned Nederburg into the great quality, award winning wine it is!Nederburg AwardsThe tree ahead of us was planted in 1920… There used to be a pool there too, with some crazy pool parties back in the day! I’m always fascinated by trees and the stories they must hold! If only they could talk!1920 tree.jpgWe went through the entire process from beginning to end… It was fascinating.I loved all the smells – I wish I could describe how absolutely delicious it was, but you’ll have to experience that for yourself.

Grape seeds

Thousands of grape seeds pouring out into those bins. It becomes grape seed oil.

Wine bathsWine bathToursInto the cellarTourwine makingCellarCellar ArtBailey and barrells 2Mastering wine picDistillerThis was the very first wine press from 1786wine pressThe First Wine PressThe Bottling process…bottlingWe worked up quite an appetite from the tour and we came right to the original Manor House, which is a heritage site. It has the most incredible energy and I could almost imagine swopping my LABEL Collection floral playsuit for those old, heavy dresses the women used to wear. The Manor HouseThey’ve turned the Manor House into The Red Table restaurant and you can either sit inside or outside on the terrace with the vineyard as a backdrop.

Annetjie, Sox and Bailey

Sox, Annetjie and I

We chose to wander through and again I imagined what it was like back in the day to live in the Manor House. I imagine the laughter, the parties, the daily life stresses, the celebrations… So full of history!Manor HouseThis used to be the piano room of the Beautiful Lady ( a wine named after her) and I could really imagine her sitting there. Do you also see the rainbow shadow on the wall? I don’t know what that’s caused by. Piano roomPvt diningWe decided to sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.Lunch TableTreesWe poured over the menu and decided to take a different starter and main course to try things, even though we both instantly chose the same dish.

Let the wine tasting and dining begin…

We started with the premier white blend called Ingenuity. You can’t buy it at any local store, you’ll find it for sale at Nederburg and also at niched, specialised liquor stores. We loved it so much we bought 2 bottles.White Ingenuity bottleWhite IngenuityIngenuitySox and I wine tastingSox and I cheersOur starters arrived and so did the Heritage Heroes. What I love about this range is that each wine has it’s own story and it’s of the family and each special person who has made Nederburg what it is. We have decided to go with this range because it’s just so fitting. We love a good story and it’s family rich – perfect for our wedding as we join families and create a new family!

This is from the website: This limited-edition gourmet range celebrates the story of Nederburg’s Heritage Heroes. Their story began in 1791, when Philippus Wolvaart – The Anchorman, tamed the wilderness and established the Nederburg farm. Following in his footsteps, Johann Graue – The Brewmaster, then acquired the land in 1937. In preparation to succeed him, he trained his beloved son, The Young Airhawk. It was a sad day when his son passed in a light airplane crash. With her grace and elegance, his mother, The Beautiful Lady, revived the spirit of the winery. Unaware that he was to be the last piece of the Heritage Heroes puzzle; Günter Brötzel – The Motorcycle Marvel, then put foot on African soil. Soon he was promoted to Cellar Master and the sound of his BSA 1954 motorbike emanated from the vineyards for years to come.SoxStarters at NederburgWines 2Wine tastingFiance

Pumpkin Fritters

Pumpkin Fritters

Paprika Prawns

Paprika Prawns

We tried both whites and reds before making our final decision.

The white wine has to be the Nederburg Airhawk: It’s a refreshing, wooded Sauvignon blanc, made from cool-climate vines, is a must-have in our eyes! A bouquet of green figs and asparagus opens onto a crisp, complex and multi-dimensional palate. There is no other way to describe it but DELICIOUS!

It was difficult to choose though because Sox and I both loved The Anchorman just as much!

Our Red Wine of choice: Nedeburg Motorcycle Marvel – “You will marvel in the absolute beauty if this wine. A Rhône-style red blend of Grenache, Carignan and Shiraz that honours the legendary winemaker Günter Brȍzel, who was cellar-master from 1956 to 1989. An abundance of spicy, peppery berry and sweet fruit characters on the nose are echoed in the mouth. It is simply delicious and would go really well with a meat dish.”WinesWines 2PouringWe moved onto our Main courses and we couldn’t decide on which we preferred best! They were both incredible dishes and if you were watching our table you would have seen knives and forks going backwards and forwards from each plate. Sox had the lamb and I had the marrow encrusted fillet.

Lamb

The Lamb

Lamb 2Fillet and wineDeliciousJust look at the perfection of this Fillet.PerfectionWe met the Chef, a smiling, happy man very passionate about food and people! He told us his story too and it was one of the best afternoons we have had in a while!Edmore Ruzoza, Sox and BaileyChef and IRed IngenuityWith our bellies and hearts full, we headed back to the Nederburg shop and bought a bottle of their Brut and 2 bottles of the white Ingenuity. It was such an incredible day!Sox at NederburgWine shopWines nederburgSigning for wineOur Nederburg purchaseI really urge you to book a table at The Red Table, go on a tour and enjoy the experience! I cannot wait to go back and bring all our friends!

See the website, which is really beautiful, for details: www.nederburg.co.za

Share on
Previous Post Next Post

You may also like

3 Comments

  • Reply Megan Hartwig

    I love Nederburg wines too. Great choice for your wedding! Also I adore your jumpsuit…so pretty….where is it from? xx

    March 1, 2016 at 9:08 am
  • Reply Linda Brown

    Loved my tour of the Nederburg winery but my favorite wine was their specialty dessert wine! Must go again and get myself a bottle

    March 2, 2016 at 5:32 pm
  • Reply Vanilla Blonde - Date Night at The Quarterdeck - Vanilla Blonde

    […] I actually tried this wine when we visited Nederburg to taste wines for the wedding. Read the post here. We started with a light Parma Ham, buffalo mozzarella and melon […]

    October 27, 2016 at 9:59 am
  • Leave a Reply