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For a limited time only, experience our Valentine’s Tasting, which features the new and elegant Dome Rosé, as well as three of our acclaimed Cap Classiques – the Brut, Brut Rosé and slightly sweeter Nectar. A quartet to charm any palate. Available at R60 per person, exclusively from 5 – 14 February.

Get 25% off these wines until 14 February. This discount is available at our Tasting Room and online at https://lourensford.co.za/our-wines/

And, since love is in the air, we’ll include a bottle of beautifully blush Flower Collection Rosé for each person booking an outdoor Vinfari experience this month. Please email winetastings@lourensford.co.za for more information.

ART IS LOVE

Corne Weideman is exhibiting at the Art Curator Gallery in February and is offering two exquisite Flower Studies of 50cm x 60cm, done as oil on board, for R14 500 each (valued at R22 500). To surprise your valentine with a bunch of “longer lasting flowers”, please feel free to contact info@artcurator.co.za. You can also view the artwork on offer on their Facebook page.

LAUGHTER IS BRIGHTEST WHEN FOOD IS BEST

We have 2 irresistible options to offer you:

Ghenwa from Ghenwa’s Culinary Club is preparing a Middle Eastern Feast at 12h00 on the 14^th of February. You will be welcomed with canapés and drinks, followed by a wide selection of Lebanese mezze and her signature Shish Taouk chicken and herbed potatoes. Every good Valentine’s Day should include a sweet surprise, and this will be in the form of a Valentine’s dessert. There will be live jazz music by Dara as well, all at the cost of R550 per person. Please note that bookings are essential on info@ghenwasculinaryclub.co.za.

Life’s a picnic at the Millhouse Kitchen this season! At R395 for 2 people, you’ll receive artisan cold cuts, chicken liver parfait, brie & goat’s cheese, olives, hummus, grape chutney, roasted butternut and beetroot salad with couscous, and freshly baked ciabatta with butter, balsamic and olive oil. Pre-book your picnic and pick your spot in the garden for a relaxed morning or afternoon. You can add wine by getting a cold bottle from our Tasting Room. Their picnics are available daily and bookings are essential on charliecgeyer@gmail.com

For the moms, you are not forgotten! Organise a play date for your children and friends at Wunderkind on Friday, Saturday or Sunday of Valentine’s weekend and get rewarded with a free daiquiri. Win-win situation in our opinion.

COUPLE’S RE-TREAT

For a pamper package to enjoy with your partner, a visit to the Wellness in the Winelands spa should be on your list. They offer various packages for February and continuing into March:

Valentine’s Package

R 1300 per couple/duo

2 glasses of MCC

2 x 60 minute full body Couple’s Massage

Valentine’s Picnic Package Deluxe

R 2099 per couple/duo

2 x glass of MCC

2 x 60 minute full body Couple’s Massage

2 x 30 minute scalp massage

2 x 30 minute foot massage or pedicure

Ghenwa’s Lebanese picnic for two

2 skewers of grilled free range chicken (Shish Taouk), 2 skewers of grilled halloumi with cherry tomatoes, 4 vegan spinach fatayer with sumac, 4 Lebanese samosas filled with lamb and pine nuts, 4 vegan falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush (aubergine caviar), 6  free range lamb kofta meatballs, 4 dolmades (organic vine leaves), tabbouleh salad (parsley, tomatoes, onion, mint , bulgur wheat with extra virgin olive oil & lemon) & homemade flat bread with Za’atar

Healing EARTH Valentine’s surprise

Valentine’s Package Supreme

R 2199 per couple

2 x glasses of MCC

2 x 60 minutes full body Couple’s Massage

2 x 30 minutes scalp massage

2 x 30 minutes foot massage or pedicure

High tea for 2 at The Coffee Roasting Company: Bottomless single shot cappuccino/Americano, mini carrot cupcake, mini brownie, scones with cream, cheese, butter & strawberry jam, mini quiche, BBQ chicken mayo sandwich

Healing EARTH Valentine surprise

* Valentine’s packages can be booked in February and March 2021. Gift vouchers also available.

Valentine treatments

A couple’s massage treatment in a couple’s room with 2 therapists

A 30 min massage for both                                          Now R 850

A 45 min massage for both                                          Now R 1000

A 60 min massage for both                                          Now R 1150

A 90 min massage for both                                          Now R 1450

Wellness in the Winelands at Lourensford. www.wellnessinthewinelands.co.za marc@wellnessinthewinelands.co.za 073 431 0459

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Born from Cellarmaster Hannes Nel’s passion to create wines capturing the true essence of the land Lourensford’s vines call home, the range has been produced using traditional terracotta amphorae and includes the Kleipot Petite Sirah, Rousanne and Chardonnay.

We sat down with Hannes to chat about these exciting new releases:

1. What can you tell us about the limited edition Kleipot wines?

Our Kleipot range consists of three wines crafted using handmade 100% terracotta amphorae or clay pots. This ancient winemaking method dates back thousands of years.

The Petite Sirah is a natural wine made with minimal intervention, producing an authentic wine of purity and finesse.

The Roussanne is an elegant fruity, yet complex, wine with lots of depth and structure.

The Chardonnay expresses the heart and soul of grape and soil, resulting in a textured wine with roundness on the palate and a beautifully integrated minerality.

2. Why did you choose the amphora method rather than the use of oak barrels?

The shape of the amphora impacts the quality of the wine. Deposits of residual yeast, otherwise known as lees, are naturally and gently kept in motion due to the shape of the amphora, resulting in a bigger and more complex wine. I was amazed when I tasted the pureness of wines made in this way.

I challenged myself to make premium wines without using oak, to produce special wines which express the vastly different terroirs available at our magnificent cool climate wine estate. To this end I selected our finest grapes within the Petite Sirah, Roussanne and Chardonnay vineyards to craft limited quantities of wine made and aged with minimal intervention using amphorae.

3. What can you tell us about the amphorae and how you use them?

We have 400 litre and 800 litre handmade 100% terracotta clay amphorae crafted at Manetti Gusmano & Figli in the Chianti region of Italy.

With the Petite Sirah and Roussanne, whole bunches were gently packed in the amphorae to complete carbonic fermentation inside the whole berries. This technique produces fruitier wines with soften tannins, than would be achieved using traditional methods of fermentation which involve more manual extraction of colour and flavour.

The Chardonnay grapes were pressed and the free run juice added to the amphora together with a portion of whole berries where it fermented spontaneously – resulting in elegant, fruit-driven and complex wines with ample depth and structure. An authentic wine of purity and finesse. Soft and elegant.

The wines were in their respective amphora for 11 months.

4. You have touched on the importance of terroir, can you elaborate?

A vine is influenced by its specific site’s micro-climate, or terroir, where temperature, sunshine, wind and rain forge its physical characteristics.

Our micro-climate is 3-5 degrees cooler than the Stellenbosch wine growing region as we are only 8km from the ocean and benefit from the cooling sea breezes. The natural amphitheater created by the mountains surrounding the estate contribute to our cooler conditions and relatively higher rainfall than even our immediate neighbours.

However, the most important influence is the soil, where deep underground, the intricate roots of a vine seek vital nutrients to grow its grapes. The composition of the soil forms the soul of the grape, and Lourensford, nestled in one of the richest floral kingdoms of the world, is blessed with a treasure chest of different soil types.

5. Food pairing suggestions for the wines?

Petite Sirah: Middle Eastern cuisine like lamb koftas.

Roussanne: foie gras.

Chardonnay: fresh salmon.

6. Is the Kleipot range a once off, or are you up for another challenge?

The aim is for annual releases of limited quantities of these three cultivars. I am excited by the challenge because this ancient winemaking method enables you to produce wines which display honest fruit purity and express the perfectly balanced natural soils. Wines which capture the true soul of the terroir.

To purchase the Kleipot Petit Sirah 2018 (R550), Rousanne 2019 (R460) and Chardonnay 2018 (R460) visit Lourensford.co.za or the Tasting Room, open Monday to Sunday from 9am – 5pm.

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A vine is influenced by its specific site’s micro climate, or terroir, where temperature, sunshine, wind and rain forge its physical characteristics. However, the most important influence is the soil, where deep underground, the intricate roots of a vine seek vital nutrients to grow its grapes. The composition of the soil forms the soul of the grape, and
Lourensford, nestled in one of the richest floral kingdoms of the world, is blessed with a treasure chest of different soil types.

It is with this knowledge that Hannes meticulously selected vines from three distinct varieties, in order to ultimately capture Lourensford’s finest grape offerings. Very small quantities of wines were made from these grapes in the most natural way possible. Traditional terracotta amphorae (or claypots) were used to showcase honest fruit purity and
expression of perfectly balanced natural soils. The true soul captured.

Discover our Kleipot Wines

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As our loyal locals returned to replenish their wine collections, our team were hard at work processing, packing and readying the huge volume of online orders received over the past 10 weeks. We cannot thank you all enough for your support! We’ve extended our lockdown specials – offering 2015 prices on some of our best-loved wines – until the end of June. These specials are available from our Tasting Room and on our website.

Speaking of our Tasting Room, we are open for wine sales and collections from 09h00 to 17h00, Monday to Thursday until further notice. For our locals in the Helderberg who’d rather keep safe and warm at home, we offer free delivery on orders of R500 or more.

The Coffee Roasting Company is also greatly enjoying your support, with its market-style offering of farm-fresh produce, baked breads and convenient pantry essentials proving very popular! They’re continuing to roast their delicious coffees daily – grab a takeaway coffee after shopping. You can also order all of their products online for home delivery – visit www.coffeecompany.co.za

Wunderkind has re-opened, offering innovative family-time “out of the house” with a creative difference! Families can book hour-long private arts & crafts sessions in the fabulous Wunderkind studio, where you’re only limited by your own imagination. Visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WunderkindLourensford/ for full details.

The Life Retreat Lifestyle Shop’s online store https://lifestyleshoponline.co.za is offering great discounts on a wide range of Natures Choice products, perfect for boosting the immune system as we head into the chilliest time of year. You can also continue to order organic food boxes from https://www.wildorganics.co.za to collect weekly at the Lifestyle Shop.

Keep following us on social media for updates and stories!

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The Coffee Roasting Company has resumed the delivery of freshly roasted coffee and added fresh produce and other pantry goods to their offerings including freshly baked breads.

 Operations Manageress Suntje Jennings says the farm fresh seasonal produce includes everything from apples to avos, bananas, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, ginger and lemons, lettuce, onions, peppers, celery and sweet potato.

The daily grind of preparing every meal at home means their  pre-cut mix of stir fry or roast veg are most welcome.

So please visit www.coffeecompany.co.za to see the list, for pricing and to shop. Or email orders@coffeecompany.co.za.

Life under lockdown is tough on the body and the mind so we welcome the live-streaming Yoga, Meditation and Nia Dancing classes that The Life Retreat Movement Studio is offering four times daily. Check the website for pricing and there is also a Mother’s Day gift voucher, so email studio@liferetreat.co.za for details.

The Life Retreat Lifestyle Shop Online shop www.lifestyleshoponline.co.za has been approved to deliver, enabling you to shop online and they will courier to your door.

There are discounts on a wide range of Natures Choice products including organic rolled oats; goji granola; chia, poppy and pumpkin seeds; coconut oil; almond and rice milk powders; nut butters; assorted flour including buckwheat, almond and chickpea; as well as Maca powder; and smoothie mixes.

Fresh Wednesdays are back so you can also order organic food boxes www.wildorganics.co.za to collect weekly at the Lifestyle Shop on Lourensford.

After a few more weeks, we’re very sure that you’ll be dreaming about pampering yourself with a professional manicure, pedicure or massage – or all of the above! Wellness in the Winelands, our on-site spa, is selling gift vouchers during the lockdown period, which can be redeemed when they reopen – purchase yours (or buy one as a gift for a deserving friend) and support a small business at the same time. Visit Wellness in the Winelands website

For a welcome and delicious break from all that home cooking, treat yourself to exceptionally tasty meals thanks to the Aleit Group which is doing home deliveries in partnership with Abundance Catering.

The menu changes but current highlights include coriander seed ciabatta, as well as pear and frangipane tartlets. Their superior heat and eat meals include Bo Kaap Cape Malay Curry and braised lamb shoulder and mushroom pie.

Place your order with adele@abundancecatering.co.za before 12:00 for delivery the following day in Somerset West, Strand, Gordonsbay and Stellenbosch. Weekly deliveries will be made to Cape Town and Paarl. Delivery fee of R35.

The Art Curator www.artcurator.co.za at Lourensford is on the lookout for South African Old masters for clients who are looking for investments. So please email photos and info to news@artcurator.co.za.

Unfortunately the Wunderkind play barn is not permitted to operate yet, but is posting lots of engaging content on their Facebook page WunderkindLourensford including fun family and kids activities.

Unfortunately wine tasting and sales, as well as the Market and The Millhouse Kitchen, are still closed under Level 4. Follow us on social media where we will keep you updated on life at Lourensford as we slowly move towards a future where we can crack open a bottle of bubbly and welcome you back to our beautiful home.

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9 September 2018: Stellenbosch Wine Routes will host Stellenbosch Crush, an event for CapeWine 2018 to showcase the best of Stellenbosch wine and hospitality .

10 September 2018: Lourensford, as one of South Africa’s leading Conservation Champions, will participate in Farming with Nature, at Backsberg Estate. The Conservation Champions programme was established by the WWF, and the event will focus on Fynbos Regeneration, Carbon Neutrality, Water Stewardship and Renewable Energy.

12-14 September 2018: Lourensford will be at stand A41 at CapeWine 2018 hosted by Wines of South Africa (WoSA) at the Cape Town International Convention Center. An opportunity to experience our full range including our Limited Release Merlot 2016 which will be part of the Theme Tasting area, while our MCC Brut 2011 will sparkle at the Beautiful Bubbles table.

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Cellarmaster Hannes Nel explained that ever since joining Lourensford he had dreamt of making a wine that was the ultimate expression of the Estate, irrespective of the choice of grape varieties: “We began our Chrysalis journey with no preconceived ideas of what wine we were ultimately going to make. These uniquely Lourensford blends are the result of years of experimentation, learning and patience.”

Made with minimal intervention from grapes of selected site-specific vines, only a limited quantity is bottled following intensive barrel selection and meticulous blending – 2517 bottles of the Chrysalis Red Blend 2015 and 1412 bottles of the Chrysalis White Blend 2015.

Explaining the symbolism of the name for the flagship range, Nel said: “Nothing demonstrates the evolution of these wines better than the remarkable metamorphosis of the tiny chrysalis. For me the bottle symbolizes the pupa with the beautiful butterfly developing inside. Pouring the wine into your glass releases the rare butterfly, completing the metamorphosis of grapes into a wine of intense complexity.”

Lourensford General Manager Koos Jordaan said that the launch of Chrysalis also celebrates the metamorphosis of the picturesque Estate in Somerset West. “From our beginnings as an unknown fruit farm to the world class wine producer and ‘must-visit’ destination that we are today.”

Available from the Lourensford tasting room from Monday to Sunday 9am until 5pm, the Chrysalis Red Blend 2015 will retail for R430 and the Chrysalis White Blend will retail at R300.

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Lourensford General Manager Koos Jordaan said that to receive global recognition for this exceptional wine from a certified single vineyard is a culmination of hard work and dedication by the vineyard and winemaking team.

“ProWein is the world’s leading trade fair for wine and spirits and the largest industry meeting for professionals from viticulture, production, trade and gastronomy. Being recognized with this Mundus Vini means we can compare ourselves to the best in the world,” said Jordaan. “The Limited Release Chardonnay is also our first wine that was accredited by the Cape Vintners Classification (CVC), which underlines the CVC’s objective to enhance South Africa’s reputation as a producer of world-class wines and to promote the Cape’s distinctive site-specific wines.”

Lourensford Cellarmaster Hannes Nel said unusual weather conditions had contributed to the  exceptional quality of the Lourensford Estate Limited Release Chardonnay 2016.

“The 2016 vintage was characterised by a severe drought and high summer temperatures, resulting in much faster ripening and the earliest recorded harvest in Lourensford’s history,” explained Nel. “But the vines were healthy and in good balance, while the berries were small and concentrated. Ideal for producing a refined and elegant wine.”

The success at Mundus Vini is the latest in a series of awards for the Lourensford Limited Release Chardonnay both locally and internationally. The 2015 vintage was one of only three South African wines to receive a Grand Gold Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and more Gold followed at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, London. It was also ranked one of the Top 100 SA Wines in 2016.

The Lourensford Limited Release Chardonnay 2016 is available for tastings at the estate’s winery, open Monday to Sunday 9am until 5pm.

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Both winners receive a Lourensford Estate Wine collection valued at R1 000. Their images are also eligible for the Grand Prize, which includes a one-night stay at Erinvale plus a Lourensford Estate experience valued at R5 000, to be announced at the opening of the inaugural #SeasonsOfLourensford exhibition at the end of November 2017.

Alfred Thorpe of Instagram handle @vuurtoring loves photography because it encourages him to to explore the outdoors with friends. He used a drone to shoot the winning image.

“A drone is like an aeroplane, without the expensive maintenance plan!” says Alfred. “I used the DJI Mavic Pro as I thoroughly enjoy capturing images from this different angle.”

Alfred’s winning photo.

Clifford Wort of handle @cliffordwortphotos  shot his winning image on a Canon 7D Mark II.

“The array of flowers and plants at Lourensford are so beautiful, and I wanted my photo to capture the extraordinary colours of Spring at the Estate. It was late afternoon, so the light was starting to get that lovely golden quality,” says Clifford. “My wife Bennita and I have really enjoyed being part of the first ever #SeasonsOfLourensford series, and are looking forward to the opening of the exhibition.”

Clifford’s winning photo.

The competition spotlights the beauty of the farm as it is transformed by the seasons, and was open to the public and invited Instagrammers who tagged @Lourensford and used the hashtags #SeasonsOfLourensford and #LoveLourensford. Lourensford selected the best images for each season, reposted them on the @Lourensford Instagram feed and invited the public to comment on their favourites. The images that received the most votes from unique users were declared the winners.

The best of the images from #SeasonsOfLourensford 2017 will be displayed in the wine tasting centre at Lourensford Estate through to Easter 2018.

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