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Safari Journal: South Africa

Waterford’s unique approach to wine tasting

Expert
Carlien in South Africa
January 15th, 2010 at 7:23am

At Waterford Estate, wine tasting is a unique experience: time slows; reality blurs; the daily stresses are left outside the gate.

Past green lawns and old trees and through a naartjie orchard, the entrance road leads to the ranch-style manor house.

image copyright: Waterford Estate

As we walked up to the house, Sean (one of the wine waiters) waited on the steps to welcome us. Instead of taking us to a counter lined with spittoons and glasses, he showed us to a table in the courtyard.

Image Copyright: Waterford Estate

Sean gave us a few minutes to relax into the courtyard’s calm. Quiet. Comfortable. Images of a slower time. He returned with a wine list and a few options for wine tasting. We opted for the wine and chocolate tasting experience (R50 p/p); a seven-course menu showcasing Waterford’s wines and chocolates.

Between tastings, we talked about the wines; the weekend ahead; the peacefulness of our surroundings. And then I saw the unique magic of Waterford: apart from describing the wine in our glasses in detail, Sean left us to ourselves. He didn’t ask whether we tasted the cut grass in the Sauvignon Blanc, and we didn’t need to do small talk. We could simply enjoy the wine and each other’s company.

The last three wines on the tasting menu are paired with chocolate. Unusual, yes, but these pairings are carefully chosen and they work. The Kevin Arnold Shiraz is paired with masala chai-infused dark chocolate. Both are spicy, and both remind of firesides and hearty food.

Waterford’s Cabernet Sauvignon was our favourite (it’s actually a Bordeaux blend, as it contains a small percentage of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc). This was paired with rock salt dark chocolate. Delicious.

Dessert was the Heatherleigh Noble Late Harvest and a rose and pink geranium milk chocolate. I tasted iced cookies, rum and raisin ice cream and Turkish delight.

We stayed an hour longer than we had intended, and we bought a couple of bottles for the weekend (most wines are between R70 and R120).

I recommend setting aside at least two hours mid-afternoon for Waterford. The rest of your day can wait.

Image copyright: Waterford Estate

Three words to describe Waterford

unrushed

sensory

unique

How to get there

From Stellenbosch, take the R44 to Somerset West.

Turn left in Blaauwklippen Road.

Follow the signposts to Waterford.

Contact details

Tel: 021 880 0496

Email: info@waterfordestate.co.za

Other wine farms worth a visit

Dornier

Stellenzicht

Rust en Vrede

Blaauwklippen

Opening hours

Mon - Fri: 09:00 to 17:00

Sat: 10:00 to 13:00

If you’re planning a day trip, get breakfast in town:

Sweet (Dorp Street). Cinnamon buns and other fine baking, great sandwiches.

Melissa’s (Dorp Street). Deli with breakfast buffet; best coffee in town.


7 Comments

Recent Comments

  • 1. Thank you for describing this so beautifully and including all the details, it sounds wonderful.

    Expert
    emmagass
    January 15th, 2010 at 2:05pm
  • 2. I'd heard about Waterford's tastings before, and have been toying with the tempting idea of tasting 2 of my favourite things together. But you had me at Shiraz paired with masala chai-infused dark chocolate -YUM!! Think I'll head out that way next weekend.

    Expert
    SandraMallinson
    January 18th, 2010 at 4:46pm
  • 3. Wow Carlien, thanks for amazing feedback on Waterford. It simply sounds like a taste and wine sensation all in one. I particularly like the idea of combining wine with a specific food, in this case chocolate, because it gives you a great sense of the flavours of the wine. I'll be sure to check this place out!

    Expert
    kimberoo
    January 19th, 2010 at 12:16pm
  • 4. Amazing estate! I have been there a few times and defintely recommend the wine. Great tasting room to relax in. Cheers, Sean

    Expert
    liveafrican
    January 26th, 2010 at 6:17am
  • 5. Wow this really makes you want to stop work now and drive to Waterford. Thanks for the amazing feedback. Will be sure to check it out!!

    Shelley
    February 2nd, 2010 at 10:34am
  • 6. This place sounds amazing. I really need to make a plan to get there for the wine & chocolate tasting.

    Henriette
    March 12th, 2010 at 3:13pm
  • 7. I agree - what an amazing experience. Rock salt dark chocolate and a glass of heaven .... yummy!

    Expert
    Jako CPT
    March 18th, 2010 at 4:32pm
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