Dear Friends

You can always trust love to interfere with the best laid plans of mice and men! In this case it’s our Gabi, the beautiful one who looks after our website and takes care of so much else to do with the media. Yup, Gabi’s gone and fallen in love, and now she’s going off to marry the man. Congratulations Gabi, and thanks so much for all you’ve done for the Marketing of Caveau. We are going to miss you so much.

Only problem is that with all of this we missed out on the March issue and that means that our friends have not been brought up to speed on our plans and up-coming wine tasting events as promised earlier. Sorry for that.

We’ve got so much new happening at Caveau, its hard to cram it all in. Just for a start there’s the new Caveau at the Josephine Mill in Newlands. If you haven’t experienced it yet now is a really good time! It’s all you already know and love about Caveau, only bigger, with lots of space for functions and events. There’s a truly striking outdoor dining area you’re sure to enjoy (don’t worry we have heaters and a Bedouin tent as a cover). And we’re so close to the rugby stadium you could take a line out from our deck.

We have lots more of fantastic wining and dining ahead as we move into the winter months and the Wine and Dine evenings start up - check it all out under the events page on our website and book your places soon, these evenings fill up so quickly and we don’t want to disappoint you. We look forward to sharing lots of good stuff with you all.

Meanwhile, keep swirling and enjoy the ride!

Au Revoir

If you dreamed of owning the most naturally beautiful wine estate in the world, what you would most likely describe is a real-life place called South Hill. It is an exceptional pleasure this month to be taking a look at that dream!

South Hill is exciting for many reasons, but most of all because they have only been making wine for five or six years and it is stunning already.

Also fascinating is that the farm is in the Elgin valley, once thought of only as the best apple producing region in the world, never mind just South Africa. The farm itself gloried as an apple and pear producer under the name of Jan Niemnandsbosch, loosely translated into John Nobody’d Bush, but it was taken over as a wine prospect in 2001. Since 2001 the property has been transformed from a neglected apple and pear producer to an exclusive boutique wine farm with 26ha currently under vine. Along with the vineyard development has been the establishment of a luxury venue and guest house which specialises in weddings.

Located at the south-eastern end of the valley, South Hill benefits from almost perfect climatic conditions. Water is plentiful, but not so much as to bring with it associated disease hazards. Stunning mountain backdrops and gentle hill slope vineyards combine to pretty well take the breath away. Add to all of that some excellent wines, and the promise of much more to come, and you will understand the dream analogy. By the way, South Hill is also breaking new ground in the universe of Black Empowerment. Management of the farming operations is entirely the responsibility of Vuki, one of SA’s most successful BEE companies.

The wine has generous tropical fruit aromas of granadilla and guava on the nose balanced with the distinctive freshness associated with cool climate Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is exceptionally full and round with lots of the tropical fruit following through, whilst finishing refreshingly crisp. Exceptional balance and acid integration have been achieved without the need for any acid additions, one of the many benefits of the cool Elgin weather during the critical ripening period.

Jean’s Thoughts
In Europe you will always associate a region with a varietals (think Chardonnay, think Burgundy). This crispy Sauvignon Blanc is fruity and has a hint of acidity, typical cool climate, typical Elgin. Perhaps it is time to associate great Sauvignon Blanc with Elgin…

Brendon’s Thoughts
It’s vivacious, expressing tropical fruit with a flinty freshness. And if you have the time, there is no better setting to be drinking this wine than at the farm itself (or maybe caveau), but it’s worth the drive. Salute.

Every now and then, Caveau receives stock at a reduced or “special price”. This may either be in order to move produce a little faster or due to wine farm promotions that may be running at the time.

At Caveau we feel that our patrons should be the first to experience the benefits of such kickbacks and we have in turn decided to run monthly specials.

This month, our special offering is Warwick’s Three Cape Ladies. Each component of this Cape Blend offers its own qualities. The Cabernet Sauvignon presents the backbone while the Pinotage and Merlot's offering is soft and sweet and a splash of Shiraz seals the spicy finish. The blend brings out the best of Pinotage to the classic French varieties.

Available from Petit Caveau for only R 140.00 per bottle, should you be interested in purchasing this wine for your own private collection or just to enjoy with friends and family, please feel free e-mail your order to:info@caveau.co.za

"Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures." - Michael Broadbent