Spit or Swallow at Hamilton Russell

Total Swallows 199	Rated by 37	Avg Swallows 5.38

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Tell us about your experience at Hamilton Russell

Reviewed by Tom Magara - 21 December 2012 at 19:19

Trailblazer Winefly - 176 farms visited and 39 reviewed.

I’m glad to see wine farms actually paying attention to Spit or Swallow reviews, because despite majority of previous wineflies expressing disappointment with the tasting attendant, she was extremely warm and inviting to us! She technically was supposed to have been closed but she let us in and even allowed my brother to do some fly fishing in the dam. Small and intimate tasting room.

Reviewed by Christine Andrews - 10 April 2011 at 13:00

Discoverer Winefly - 48 farms visited and 49 reviewed.

My friends and I were disappointed with this place becase of the really poor service. More so the attitude and lack of friendliness of the person serving us. My friend asked what wine was available to try, the lady replied “those wines on that table”. There were only two wines on offer. One white and one red. I’m not sure if it was the really bad welcome that put us off the wine at this place. We loved the scenery though. You can read my full review on my wine blog: http://westerncapewineries.blogspot.com/2011/03/hamilton-russell-walker-bay-wine-region.html

Reviewed by Johan Smuts - 24 March 2011 at 09:57

Discoverer Winefly - 64 farms visited and 16 reviewed.

Probably the best Chardonnay wine makers

Reviewed by Daniël Maree - 18 March 2011 at 14:58

Casual Winefly - 31 farms visited and 30 reviewed.

Only two wines, and both are severely overpriced, I have certainly tasted much better Pinot Noir at less than half the price.

The Chardonnay was a surprise, tasted great to someone who hates Chardonnay.

Reviewed by Andrew Harris - 4 November 2010 at 11:28

Casual Winefly - 7 farms visited and 4 reviewed.

Uhm ja, I agree with Madame, don’t bother. The wines are great but the service is awful. No explanation of the wines, just this is Pinot Noir and this is Chardonnay. When I asked what she could tell me about the wines, she just said “They’re very well known, what more do you want to know!”
Its such a pity, cause the wines really are great, but like Madame says, I will think of this experience everytime I see a bottle of Hamilton Russell.

Reviewed by Madame de Wyn - 2 September 2010 at 01:10

Secret Winefly - 360 farms visited and 454 reviewed.

We visited Hamilton Russell on a Tuesday morning at around 11am. They lady in the tasting room was incompetent and made us feel unwelcome. We only spend about 5 minutes there because of the bad vibe and one could see that she was annoyed with our arrival and was so not in the mood to even say hallo.

The wines were great. Truly delicious and expensive, which is not a problem, but if you sell Gucci your customer expects 5 star service. The service that we received did not deserve 1 star unfortunately. The fact is that I will remember this bad experience everytime I see a bottle of Hamilton Russell and this saddens me.

Reviewed by Jan Laubscher - 1 September 2010 at 09:59

Master Winefly - 332 farms visited and 48 reviewed.

I can only score the wines here. The service was non-existent and we felt very unwelcome.

Reviewed by Jacques Weidemann - 22 July 2010 at 20:07

Firefly - 196 farms visited and 146 reviewed.

The only problem here is that the pinot noir may seem to high in tannins and yo might not appreciate the greatness of this wine…but overall a tasting experience I recommend to all…

Reviewed by Lisa McAulay - 8 June 2010 at 20:45

Casual Winefly - 6 farms visited and 5 reviewed.

Visited with the Hermanus Wine Club last week … what a wonderful evening & dinner at Braemar ~ a memorable experience …. just HAD to go home with a case of the Pinot Noir … one taste and all resistance crumbled.

Reviewed by Hetta Vuuren - 3 June 2010 at 22:53

Explorer Winefly - 128 farms visited and 73 reviewed.

Been to Hamilton Russel tonight with our wine club. what a wonderfull experience!! ons het aangesit by ‘n lang tafel aan huis van Anthony & Olive, met die pragtige honde om ons geselskap te hou. ons het 2 Chardonnay’s gedoen saam met ‘n heerlike tamatie en basil sop. die 2008 en 2009. ongehoud. die 2008 was heerlik op sy eie, 2009 wonderlik saam met die sop. daarna ‘n “vertical tasting” van 2007, 2008, 2009 Pino Noir. Wonderfull! The 2008 was soft and easy drinking, when food was served….die 2009 was ‘n goeie pasmaat vir die heerlike sampioen risotto wat voorgesit was saam met hoender, gebakte knoffel en uie en heerlike groenbone. Ek sou die risotto alleen kon eet en tevrede gewees het. Komplimente aan die kok! die aand was baie spesiaal, die kos en wyn beslis ook. Ons het elk ‘n potjie heuning en ‘n bottel Southern Right olyf-olie gekry, wat heerlik saam met ‘n goeie broodjie gaan. Dankie Hamilton Russel, jul wyn en gasvryheid was besonders!

Reviewed by Natalie Marco - 28 May 2010 at 13:59

Firefly - 217 farms visited and 30 reviewed.

The lady that helped us at the farm was not the usual tasting room staff but we had a great experience. She was friendly and helpful even though a bus load of locals had arrived at the same time as us. We were happy to wait till she had served them outside before she could turn her attention to us. Wines were good, I can see what all the fuss is about the Pinot Noir. We also loved the location and the “house” vibe of the tasting room but don’t know how they would cope with more than a couple of people inside.

Reviewed by Jan Langenhoven - 23 May 2010 at 09:50

Super Winefly - 245 farms visited and 190 reviewed.

Tast room staf look you up and down to see if you can afford there wine, not a great experience but the wines were good. Bought a bottle of Pinot and Chardonay just to prove a point.

Reviewed by Maggie Mostert - 16 May 2010 at 20:35

Firefly - 222 farms visited and 197 reviewed.

WOW – the farm, the service and the wine. Would love to buy a case of both!

Reviewed by Hennie Coetzee - 19 March 2010 at 22:54

Super Winefly - 249 farms visited and 185 reviewed.

Worth every penny you fork out for the wine. I recently had a bottle of 1992 HRV Chardonnay and it was beautiful, full and rich. Still perfect. Its always a quick visit with only the 2 wines to taste, but worth the drive.

Reviewed by Diana Procter - 27 December 2009 at 17:48

Super Winefly - 257 farms visited and 165 reviewed.

Intimidating tasting room staff. And you need deep pockets. Maybe they are friendlier if you look rich? But the wines are exceptional.

Reviewed by Carla Swanson - 24 November 2009 at 23:10

Discoverer Winefly - 51 farms visited and 54 reviewed.

Die Hemel-en-Aarde vallei is bekoorlik; dié prentjiemooi wynplaas verlei mens oombliklik. Die Pinot Noir is ‘n bloesende meisie na haar eerste soen. Ongelukkig onbekostigbaar duur. Maar dan, kan mens waarlik die prys van die liefde bepaal?