Recently I had the opportunity to present a small range of Doolhof wines to the VATS tasting club in Johannesburg. The tasting was the result of a chance meeting with Bernd Sonnenberg, Chairman of the Club in the Doolhof tasting room last September, which Dennis Kerrison, owner of Doolhof followed up with an offer to do a tasting for the club. I was asked to do the tasting and did a bit of research about the club which came as a surprise.
Decanter Gold – Forged from fire and rain
The fact that Doolhof Signatures Malbec 2008 recently won a Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, which are generally regarded as the Oscars of the Wine World, is in itself an achievement, but considering it is the second consecutive year that consecutive vintages of this wine won gold makes it so much more of an achievement.
Doolhof General Manager, Daan Coetzee, participated in “The Great South African Wine Show” that was arranged by WOSA – Wines of South Africa, the industry body charged with promoting South African wine in overseas markets. The show was held in New York City on 13 May 2010, in a restored factory building in the Tribeca area, that offered spectacular views over the East River.
The 2010 harvest (at Doolhof Wine Estate) provided the highest yield for many years, despite strong wind storms in October 2009, damaging leaves and shoots on some of the red varietals. This impacted on the ripening programme. However, there are signs that the 2010 harvest may approach the 2009 super vintage.
Doolhof Wine Estate, provided several major attractions during the recent Wellington Wine Harvest Festival. The estate, noted for its outstanding quality, award winning wines; excellent facilities, including picnic lunches, vineyard hiking trails and the luxurious Grand Dédale Country House, set in scenes of unsurpassed natural beauty, offered Festival visitors live music by well known bands, such as Tropical Heat; a potjiekos competition that is now an annual fixture at the Festival; and a Jazz luncheon on the verandah of Grand Dédale.
On the Sunday, excitement was created by the Wilde Day Mountain Bike Race over 40 kms that began at Diemersfontein Wine Estate and ended at Doolhof, with more than 240 cyclists participating.
An early morning fog on both Saturday and Sunday ensured enjoyably crisp conditions, even when the sun broke through. Tractor rides in the vineyards, a strong man competition, delicious lunches created by the chef of Grand Dédale, and wine tastings, added up to make this a most enjoyable three-day event.
Doolhof’s much awarded wines were in demand throughout the Festival. Wine tastings of the latest vintages were offered in the elegant tasting room and on the verandah with its cooling fountains. And if the sales were anything to go by, the wines do not find favour only with wine judges! Denizens of Doolhof and other customers spent time wisely by laying in stocks of these sought-after tipples.
Share your special moments with us, by sending us your comments, blogs and photos of the events you enjoyed at Doolhof.
Only two days left to enjoy fun, good food, wonderful wines and entertainment at Doolhof Wine Estate. Come and see the Cape Bike Race finale at 2pm today. And why not dine in grand style at Grand Dédale Country House whilst relaxing at the Jazz lunch on Monday? What better way to spend the long weekend than at Doolhof in Wellington today and tomorrow?
I just love this elegant pink rosé wine. This summer’s best find as an excellent value rosé. Great taste, great price, lovely colour.
Try the 2008 Doolhof unwooded Chardonnay. Delightful as a summer sipper or with chicken breast fillets in a sage and butter sauce. Wow! What a great mouthful and mouth feel!
Excitement is mounting at fabulous Doolhof for next week’s Wine Harvest Festival! The estate’s got fun aplenty for visitors – young and old. Remember to put Doohof on your itinerary over the long weekend. And, if you haven’t yet, please become a Facebook Fan today!!!
Doolhof Wine Estate is offering a fun-filled time at the Wellington Wine Harvest Festival between 20 and 22 March 2010. An international potjiekos competition and live music with Janine Vos, Newton Theron and Ivan van der Merwe are highlights on the Saturday, with grape-stomping, vineyard rides, food stalls and vineyard and river walks promising relaxation and fun for young and old alike.
See if you can out-cycle your friends! Sunday, 21 March, is your chance on the Wilde Day Mountain Bike Race over 40 km from Diemersfontein estate to Doolhof. There’ll be live music with Tropical Heat, boules and food & wine stalls to satisfy and quench thirsty cyclists and spectators. Register now for this event on the Cape Epic 2010 website.
…and to round off a memorable weekend, why not pamper yourself on the Monday – a public holiday – with a Grande Dédale Jazz lunch on the verandah of this luxurious Country House, prepared by the resident chef? Bookings are essential on 021 873 4089 or info@granddedale.com.
For the energetic there are walks and vineyard rides and, of course, wine tastings of award winning wines and opportunities aplenty to purchase them!
If you would like to enter our Potjiekos Competition, please download the entry form here.
