Zandwijk

Our first stop on what seemed to be the very first day of winter. Rains kept pouring and having to sit in abnormal traffic out of town for millennia added to our wine@ventures. Tilly greeted us with the warmest smile and all our frustrations from the morning were washed away.

This farm however has got me in a moerse twist for various reasons and I’ll list them. On the favourable side: (1) Tilly, obviously, with her small town charm, personalized interactions and the rolling of her r’s, makes you want to move here. (2) I’m from Sea Point and they keep all the Jewish tannies and oomies tranquilised for the most of Passover – the first farm I’ve come across that caters for my Jewish neighbours. (3) You can smell money in the booklet containing tasting notes on every single wine, each printed on its own high-gloss leaflet, but you don’t get it screaming at you from the subtle décor in the tasting room (a long time ago the cellar). (4) Lastly, I’m fascinated with dragons and the crest/brand depicts one of these (Kleine Draken – which they label under). Not prominent points to consider when reviewing a farm but had to stock them up for what is about to follow.

On the other side we have the wines. Perhaps due to the fact that they cater for a different kind of palate. I’m not sure. But I found absolutely no joy in the wine. Even though the Chardonnay 2008 and Semi Sweet Rose 2009 was fun and easy drinking, the Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and Shiraz 2005 had the nose of smoked bacon (ironic, I know) and was like swallowing soaked burnt matches. Not nice. After enquiring about the prices which were extremely low, we were told that they were selling off the old stock before they put out the new. Now surely this is not the foot you would want to put first in your tasting room where people judge you based on your wine on offer. Like the wines, there was something off about this farm … Sell them on a flea-market or auction them off at a bazaar, but please do not insult your customers or yourself.

Like a puppy that just did its ‘business’ on your newly acquired and imported Egyptian rug, you would want to kick the little scheitzer, but then …. well, there are so many other puppies out there and you decide to kick it anyway.

Very beautiful farm and almost fairy tail like setting. The tasting room is huge and it felt a bit empty. There’s a fireplace with couches at the far end of the room, a few tables around the room and a tasting counter against one wall somewhere in the middle. Our host was friendly and tried to make an effort to make us feel welcome.

All the wines here are kosher. I started with the Chardonnay which was drinkable. The Vin Doux was not bad and probably on the same level as JC le Roux and R48 a bottle. They had a R15 Pinotage and Shiraz. The Shiraz was not nice at all. Horrible nose and it felt as if I was drinking wood. The Pinotage was a bit better and it had a honey nose strangely enough, but I would not buy it, not even at that price.

The Cabernet had a silver Michaelangelo sticker on it. Heaven knows why? Watery and not nice at all. Maybe this is what Kosher wine should taste like, I don’t know, but thankfully I do not have to drink it….ever again.

Rocked up at 1538 and called by the driveway to inform that we would be popping in for a tasting. Stephanie (the host) made it a point of telling us over the phone that they will be closing at 4 and will tell us to leave at 4. So after assuring her that we would be done then she reluctantly allowed us to go taste. The farms setting and surrounds is beautiful and like a green oasis. fantastic farm feel , the tasting room is simple with wood everywhere and well layed out.
Stephanie then took time to point out again that she closes at 4 much to our relief though the wines are so shocking and no where near par. They alone will make you want to leave before they close. They have a R10 special on their Chardonney and i am wondering why and how their Cab got a Michaelangelo silver was it for the price or that it was so shockingly unbalanced and out of sync the judges got confused and did not know what to give the wine.
To avoid dissapointment i say go visit the farm and do not taste the wine just enjoy the tranquil beautiful setting and leave.