Old Farms, New Experiences: A Day of Wine Tasting in Cape Town

Ingrid and I after amazing pedicures!

Upon arriving in Cape Town for a short girls weekend, my friend Ingrid and I enjoyed amazing pedicures at de'Vara Day Spa (http://www.devaradayspa.co.za/).  The view was spectacular - a clear day with a clear view of the ocean and Table Mountain. We spoiled ourselves and bought a bottle of bubbly to enjoy as we relaxed and enjoyed our pedicures.

Bubbly and a view

During this short girls weekend also on the itinerary was a wine tour to farms located in Paarl and Stellenbosch.  During a short girls weekend a day wine tasting was a MUST!  And as many times as I have sipped in Paarl and Stellenbosch it was nice to have some new memories made at four of my favorite farms!  

Stellenbosch is a little over 30 miles from Cape Town, while Paarl is almost 40 miles from Cape Town.  Both are a world renowned wine destination and a must visit!  As a frequent visitor to Cape Town I have visited quite a few wine farms in both Paarl and Stellenbosch and as always it was nice to visit again.

We started early - at 9am - and packed plenty of water as hydration would be key on a long day of wine tourin' and sippin'!  The first vineyard would be my favorite - Fairview! Fairview wine farm is located in Paarl and if you know me, you know this is by far my favorite wine farm in Cape Town!  I am a huge fan of their Master Tasting - the olive oil, the cheese and of course, the wine, their Pinotage being my favorite!

** See a previous entry of an experience at my favorite farm here:  Wine and Cheese of South Africa **

  

The Master tasting costs R80 per person (estimated $5.55) and includes the wine tasting displayed in the photos below.  As many times as I have frequented this farm, I have never tried their 2012 Brokken Barrel.  I was a fan and for the first time I left this farm NOT with a bottle of Pinotage but with a bottle of this wine and of course the sun dried tomato and herb goat cheese to go with it! Around the world you can find their amazing wines under the label, Goats do Roam.  If you are in Cape Town you must find your way to Fairview Wine Farm (http://www.fairview.co.za/tasting-room/)!

The next farm on our wine tour list was Simonsig (http://www.simonsig.co.za/). Known for their bubbly or Methode Cap Classique (MCC), the last time I was at the farm I only tried their bubbly variety.  We started this tasting off by cleansing our pallet with their Kaapse Vonkel Brut. Ashlee graciously opened the bottle with a sword! We poppin' bottles - literally!

Follow Ashlee on her blog:  http://www.willdrinkfortravel.com/

The tasting included their Chenin Blanc, Chenin avec Chene (a wooded Chenin Blanc), Pinotage and their Cape Blend. Surprisingly, as a red wine lover, I found myself a fan of the Chenin avec Chene! Ultimately, I left the farm with a bottle of the Chenin avec Chene and their Pinotage.

By this time we are all a bit tipsy and needing real food.  So our next stop was Tokara wine farm (http://www.tokara.co.za/).  The last time I was at this gorgeous farm was for their brandy and chocolate tasting.  I was looking forward to a new experience at this farm!  We were seated for lunch and wow the view! 

Our lunch view

We each enjoyed the view with an aperitif as we looked over the lunch menu to make a decision on what we should enjoy.  We all decided to enjoy one of three dishes and share a little with the group so we all could enjoy the amazing food! With lunch I enjoyed a glass of 2012 Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon.

How does one decide?!

I enjoyed the springbok - it was full of flavor
and tender!

We all enjoyed a bite of the miso beef!

The line fish was perfectly cooked and
full of flavor!

We were full but who could stop us from enjoying these amazing desserts?!  We also shared bites of this decadence!  Ultimately, I left the farm with a bottle of the wine that I enjoyed with lunch.  If you are in Stellenbosch and looking for amazing views, service and food - please stop to have lunch at Tokara wine farm!  You will not regret this decision!  Just be sure to make a reservation!

Olive oil cake with custard and meringue.

Chocolate mousse cake with coffee
ice cream.

The final farm on the tour was Waterford.  It was the perfect farm to end the day. The farm is beautiful and .. grand!  

Before the tasting we were given a short cellar tour.  After the cellar tour we were lead outside to where we would enjoy one of their unique tastings - the Chocolate and Wine Pairing (http://www.waterfordestate.co.za/unique-tasting-experience). This was a delectable experience! Dark, rich chocolate was paired with a Shiraz; salted, slightly sweeter dark chocolate was paired with their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; and finally, smooth milk chocolate was paired their dessert wine, the Heatherleigh.  As a bonus they also provided a tasting of their 2010 Jem, a very spicy, bold red wine. I left the farm with a bottle of the 2010 Jem and the Heatherleigh. And of course, I had to buy a bar of the salted dark and milk chocolate!  My treat to myself hehehe

A MUST try wine pairing!

Their famous fountain on the farm.

We returned home at approximately 6pm - it was a FULL day of beautiful views, great wines, delicious chocolate, laughter and memories.  I now have new memories at these four farms and of course, would visit again!  

On the road back to reality from an amazing day on
the wine farms.

If you would have loved to experience these farms with me, please add me on snapchat: pmkenney79!  I make my return to Cape Town next month ... it will be my 24th visit to my second home and, as always, will be filled with fun, dancing, wine and great food!  Until then ...

Gorgeous sunset from Cape Town.
Until we meet again ...