Vernon Versfeld

Previously known as Seidelberg, and recently purchased by Charles Back of Fairview fame. A superb group tasting very ably hosted by Catherine, while seated on the lawns overlooking the magnificent valley below. Choose 6 wines for a fee of R25.00, which is not waived on purchase. SR now boasts a beer brewery and Biltong Bar on site. Would recommend that you visit.

Had to climb a gazillion steps to get to the tasting room … phew! Certainly not wheelchair or disabled person friendly. Wines tasted were OK, but did not have a wow-factor for me. Highlight was meeting winemaker Irene Waller who took our large group through the cellar, where we watched her staff de-stalking and sorting grapes. Saw how they transported a s/s bin full of grapes by crane, and dumped them into a s/s tank. Amazing how a visual experience like this enhances one’s personal view on appreciating wine. Not a great tasting, but a wonderfully rounded experience.

What a wonderful group tasting enthusiastically led by John who has been on this estate since 2009, and in the valley since 2006. HM provided several cheeses together with biscuits to sample while tasting their wines. Nice touch, I thought. Great experience.

We almost drove past but were so pleased that we decided to pop in. I echo all 3 comments below. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

Spent a wonderful tasting while sitting on a very comfortable sofa on the patio, overlooking some superb mountain views. We concentrated on the reds with the Biography Shiraz and Quinery Bdx blend being our favourites at this family run winery. The tasting was very ably handled by Chantelle who not only knows her stuff, but carries it over with a delightful and welcoming personality. This experience must rate as one of my top wine farm visits.

Great visit with stunning views from the restaurant. Enjoyed a lunch/wine pairing, very ably hosted by Amy. Would certainly recommend a visit.

Not impressed with this visit When we arrived we were rushed by staff thrusting their hands out wanting to shake my hand, while bellowing ‘welcome, welcome’. I am not a rah rah kind of person and I also do not want to be whisked off into the tasting room before I am ready for it. Preferred to view the museum displays, and then we left.

Visited here over the Olive Festival as well. Man, was this place buzzing!!! Perhaps because it is in close proximity of the town and everybody seemed to be homing in on this winery. The tasting room staff were doing a sterling job and even while there were so many people, the staff took time to explain the different the different wines during my tasting. Well done for keeping your composure under the pressure.

Visited over the weekend of the Olive Festival … not a good call, at all. Too many people tasting and too little interest from the tasting room staff. Concentrated on the Premium range but naaa, not impressed. To be fair, I should return when there is not so much traffic. Perhaps things will be different …

We arrived just before closing time but hostess Louise graciously welcomed us in. Preferred the wines from their he second label Polo Club but also ‘had to’ try the VdV Ryk Neethling 2010 – very more-ish, but this is in the premium range. Thoroughly enjoyed the setting, together with the tasting. By the way … Happy 30th Birthday Louise, wishing you an awesome future.

Our host Kenny was very accommodating as he was just about to close when we arrived but welcomed us in, and led us through a very relaxed tasting. Tasting room was comfortable, although a little austere. Thoroughly enjoyed their 2009 Cape Blend, as well as their 2009 Shiraz. The restaurant looks like a must, but that’ll have to wait for our next visit.

Driving up to this estate, I was reminded that we live in a beautiful country. RE is quite a way off the beaten track, but the drive is worth it with some superb views of the Banghoek Valley. Our tasting (by appointment only) was led by viticulturist and part owner Francois Malan who with his brother and winemaker Anton and father, only produce reds together with a multi-varietal rosé. “Drive along the road until you can go no further, and I will meet you there” is what he told us as he opened the gate. Each wine that FM poured, was an improvement on the previous we tasted. My taste buds were in Heaven as i ooohed and aaahed, not wanting to relinquish my tasting glass. Platter’s rates their wines highly, and I second that. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would certainly recommend that you visit. Be warned though, go there in a car that has some good ground clearance, especially in the wet.

I should have known the minute I walked into the new tasting room … chrome, glass, concrete, and with a minimalistic ambiance. There are two ranges: Vineyard Selection at R35pp and Premium at R25pp, Because I only tasted a few reds between the two ranges, I was charged R25. Sadly, I thought the wines I tasted were like the ambiance … minimalistic. Sorry, not impressed.

Enjoyed a personal tasting with winemaker Danie Steytler. Miserable and cold weather outside, but the tasting room was oh, so cosy. So too, were the wines … all top drawer stuff. Would certainly recommend that you visit.

Combined our tasting with lunch … Shiraz Rosé, Merlot and Shiraz. A superb meal in a busy but cosy restaurant, together with more Shiraz. Realy enjoyed this, and the Merlot. Apparently the restaurant staff are moving to a new (still secret) venue, en bloc. I would visit again … even if it’s just to test the new staffs’ abilities.

Disappointing, to say the least. Arrived on Saturday after Easter Friday and were offered wines that had, I think, been opened during the week. Concentrated on the Reserve range, but was not impressed. I asked our hostess when the wines had been opened and she replied that maybe she could ask ‘them’ to open fresh bottles. Surely she would have been able to make that decision herself??? We left.

What a delightful tasting. We arrived early on a very cold and wet morning to be confronted by a closed gate which had a sign that read something like: ‘ Hoot for attention, or phone …’. Before I could hoot (or phone) the gate slid open and we were warmly ushered into the Nash’s family home. The tasting was led by Dr Lance N and had we not had other arrangements to visit more wineries in the area, we would probably still be sitting there talking with this engaging personality. There is a comment on the back label of their white wine which refers to a ‘madcap outfit’ and boy, does this caption fit. Superb shiraz/cab blend (70/30) really took my fancy. Would seriously suggest that you visit but be warned, have time on your hands.

We arrived together with a touring group of girls celebrating a birthday who seemed to be having a lot of fun. Made the small pokey tasting room a bit noisy and crowded but our hostess Yolanda, coped quite well. Merlot and Cab Sauv were my pick of the day.

Didn’t get a great feel here … tasting room seemed too commercialized together with a long list of wines. Staff keen to market quirky wine gadgets while we were tasting, which put me off.

Ulrich was our host – very knowledgeable, and efficient. Fresh crackers and ice cold water to clear your palate were a nice touch. My favourites were the Merlot and the Limited Collection Shiraz. Good visit.

After a very warm welcoming we enjoyed a fantastic tasting led by winemaker/owner James and marketing manager Cathy. Entertaining and very knowledgeable duo. Rosé and whites did’nt really do it for me, but enjoyed Scaramanga 2011, Merlot 2006 and second label (Snow Mountain) Syrah 2009. I’ve got the ‘bank manager’ worried again …

Spent the weekend in their guest house – extremely comfortable with a great breakfast. Walked from there to Nabygelegen, along various farm roads through neighboring vineyards. The day was hot so a little challenging, but worth every step of the way.

This is the first winery where I’ve seen the concept of ‘shared tasting’ which is essentially a full tasting, but shared between two people. Portions were ample for two to taste and the best part is that the cost is also shared … . Great innovation, I thought. An upmarket winery with a modern tasting room. Visitors are encouraged to wander through the barrel cellar which houses private tasting rooms inside. Tasting was well managed by very attentive, well trained (CWA courses et al!) and friendly staff. Would love to do the recently opened 5km hike. Note there is a R50 entry fee for this if you are thinking of doing the walk.

Enjoyed a superb cellar tour led by Stephan de Beer, the assistant wine maker. This boytjie certainly knows his yeast strains from his crown caps … obviously very passionate about his profession, where his friendly yet humble disposition will carry him for years to come. The tasting room has superb views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards and boy, is the cellar to die for!!! Typical vaulted ceilings built with brick, the rolling coves protect the carefully engineered wines in perfect temperatures. Of course we left with a few bottles … Thank you Stephan, for a wonderful encounter with Krone wines.

What a delightful winery. Translated from French, Montpellier means “Mountain of Chefs”. Super peaceful and set in stunning surroundings, we enjoyed the tasting while sitting beneath the trees on the rolling front lawns. Two whites and three reds were available for tasting … the Shiraz 2009 (R70 a bottle) took my fancy. Had a tour of the guest house together with Lucille Hubinger, the guest house manager. Farm has a beautiful chapel superbly placed on the property. Unfortunately this was closed when we visited. Would recommend that you pay this farm a visit.