ADSactly Travel - A Wine Tourism Trip Like No Other: Boschendal Wine Estate
A Wine Tourism Trip Like No Other: Boschendal Wine Estate
Should you ever find yourself in the Franschhoek Wine Valley in the Western Cape of South Africa, drop everything you are doing and go to Boschendal Wine Estate. I’ll show you why.
It is one of those places that never leave your heart. It is arguably one of the best wine estates that I have been to.
There is so much to do from visiting their restaurants, their Warf Butchery and the Boschendal organic farm. At their butchery, you get a taste of Biltong (a famous South African snack made from dried and flavored meat.
That day we knew that we would be walking for long distances and we wore flat shoes. I love wine tours because aside from meeting with different people, I get to taste wine and learn the story of where it comes from. The weather was perfect. Crisp and breezy with a little bit of warmth from the sun that tried to peek through the clouds.
You know those days when you wake up, look outside and absolutely know that it is going to be a great day? Well, That day I knew. After a hearty breakfast, I picked up my backpack and headed to the bus that was waiting to take us to the Franschhoek Wine Valley.
I found myself in the Western Cape for my work as a wine writer. Although the previous night we had had late dinner, I did not sleep for one bit during the ride and I was looking outside the whole time.The Western Cape of South Africa is a magical place. A place of fertile soils, beautiful wildflowers and rolling hills. The eye can never tire from looking at all this beauty.
Food & Sparkling Wine Pairing
I knew this day would be amazing but I did not know that it would be this grand. You know that people are putting their best foot forward when you find a food and sparkling wine pairing. We were trying the MCC’s (Method Cap Classique/ the sparkling wine from South Africa). Champagne only comes from France and MCC is the term that South African wine uses to distinguish its sparkling wine.
We tried three wines, each paired with some food. We tried the Boschendal Grand Cuvee Brut, the Prestige Cuvee, the Brut and the Brut Rose.
The tasting was perfect. However, we did not have large plates of food as you would in normal wine tastings. We had our food in very tiny bowls. Each had about two spoonfuls of food. This got us to really interact with every dish as well as try every pairing.The winemaker was there to explain all their wines.
Biodynamic Farming
After the session, we went to their open-air restaurant and had some juicy sliders. Thinking about them today makes my mouth water.
What I love about this wine estate is that they source every fresh produce that they use in their restaurants from their organic farm. This was an extensive farm. The farm was alive with bees and birds. They also had piglets and chicken on the farm. We got to see how they farm their carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, green beans among other fresh produce. They do not use any fertilizers and rely heavily on compost and manure. When you order a salad at this restaurant, you know it is organic and fresh and you have a view of the farm as you enjoy it.
The Restaurant
The view of the farm from the Restaurant
I loved this water fountain
A look at the vegetables they grow there
They also have lavender and herbs in the farm
The irrigation system
Sabrage
We then learned sabrage which is the art of opening a Champagne/ sparkling wine bottle with a sword or blade. It is common among wine lovers and it is always impressive when you successfully saber that bottle during a celebration. We were briefed that the sparkling wine in a bottle has millions of bubbles that produce so much pressure. This is why the wine cork can fly for many meters.
You are always urged to be extra careful when doing this. What you do is hold the bottle firmly with your left hand (or less dominant hand) and then with your dominant hand, run the blade through the weakest point of the bottle. You will always know what the weakest part of the bottle is because there is a line of weakness running from the mouth to the punt of the bottle. This is where the glass was joined during bottle making.
This is where you run the blade gently. After some tries, run the blade of the knife of sword firmly and the cork will fly away. The wine will froth on your hands, but you will be happy you just did it.
Did I mention that you should never face the cork towards you or anyone? Most times, the bottle will break at the neck. However, do not be afraid of little glass shards entering your wine. Because of this high pressure, any glass shards are thrown out at high speed. Next, serve your wine and make a toast.
This was an incredible experience. We then went back to the restaurant and had more wine as the sun went down.
Authored by @jeanwandimi
Photography by @jeanwandimi
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south Africa are becoming an investment hub especially wine making and digital tech. and soon it will rise their economy a future China aka.
Yes I agree . I love the growth.
I definitely believe you, since I know you have been to so many wineries. The place looks amazing it’s like a combination of park and winery. And when yo mentioned Boschendal organic farm, it totally got me. I love wine tours as well especially when I get to taste the wine type I love. Not too sweet, must be special. Doesn’t happen in every winery I have been to, but when it does, I happen to love this place even more. When you mentioned breezy day, I completely agree with you. I don’t like days when it’s too hot. Love these sunny 70F days, just perfect for wine tasting or park of nature visit.
That’s my #1 rule. Never have your expectations too high. It almost always works and if doesn’t, I’m not that disappointed than. The sliders 🍔 look really delicious especially with sesame on top. I love the way they produce their own food. I also loved when you mentioned bees 🐝. In US they are for some reason disappearing which is really sad. Great lesson on how to safely open bottle of sparkling ✨ wine😆.
As you mentioned “ incredible experience” and great story and beautiful photographs!
I am glad you liked this. Yes weather really affects your wine tasting experience. I feel like warmer or cooler days are the best for wine tasting. I don't like wine tasting on too cold days.
I watched this documentary about bees and colony collapse disorder. Too sad.
Thanks for reading.
I will never grow tired of experiencing your wine tours. I say experience because you bring us along with you every single time. The descriptive details and stunning pictures take me right to the table with you and seeing the condensation building up on the bottles gives me the sense of just how chilled that wine was and how it would feel and taste in my mouth. I really appreciate that you take us through the entire experience and not just the wine tasting. We get to see the beautiful gardens and grounds. It is as if I went for that walk with you. Another great installment your wine tour. I can't wait for the next.
Wow. Thanks for the kind words and I am glad you appreciate the post. As a writer, my goal is always to take you on a visual and sensory journey. I am glad I did that. Next wine tourism story in a week or so here at @adsactly. Cheers.
This is probably best travel post I'be read on entire Steemit since I joined. Your photos are amazing! You captured the essence with them!
Your beautiful writing gave me the feeling I am there, while I was reading this beautiful post. The place is perfect, it is in nature, the food is healthy and on top of that, you csn taste good quality wines... What else can you ask for? Sounds like a perfect place to be.
Sword opening is another thing that got me more interested in post. I bet it is really fun to do that. I knew before about that method, but I didn't know ablut that weakest spot of the bottle.
Anyway, I see you had a great fun! And you really described it well with this post. I enjoyed reading it and knowing that this beautiful places exist. Thanks for sharing
This means a lot coming from you. I am glad my post made you somewhat travel with me through teh photos.
The sword opening was such a great experience. And to top it all off, you get to drink the wine that you opened.
It was an unforgettable experience.
Wow, I love reading about your amazing journeys and experiences! Keep it up! Upvoted!
you have such great adventures! looking ta this ranch makes me wish they had things like that in Ghana. I have quite the affinity for wine lol.
this is one of those things that attracts tourists and make a nations reputation change; it exudes refinement and leisure.
I also wish we had this in Kenya.
Who knows, one day we can bring that change to our countries and build such estates.
South Africa has many of these cool spots.
I also love to travel and enjoy my life.Thanks for sharing moments with us sir.
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Holy Cow. I don't drink and I'd join you for a wine tour anytime. You always make it fun and exciting. I could tell through the whole article that you were having a good time. That's good writing.
So. I'd love to try sabrage. Don't worry, I already have lots of scars on my left thumb and first finger, another couldn't hurt :)
Thanks for a simply great post.
Even if you do not drink alcohol, we can still go on a wine trip. :)
Sabrage is so amazing. Especially when the cork flies and the bottle pops open. Iconic.
Goodness! Simply the perspective of the place is all that could possibly be needed purpose behind me to go there even regular! The sustenance looks delightful as well and how I cherish burgers! This is extremely pleasant I wish I could go there now.
I am glad you loved the place.