I have been fortunate to explore many beautiful hidden Gems in the Cape Winelands. A recent discovery is Vondeling Wines, in Voor-paardeberg, in Paarl.
Vondeling Wines
It was my first visit to the estate, and although I was uncertain what to expect, it was “love at first sight”. The views are breathtaking but something that struck me most was the “sound of silence”! After a chaotic week, some peace and tranquillity, as well as the promise of wine, were most welcome.
The Farm
Vondeling, which means ‘foundling’, lies on the slopes of the little-known Paardeberg mountain, approximately 45 minutes drive from Cape Town. The farm boasts breathtaking views of both the vineyards and the surrounding mountain ranges. The Paardeberg Mountain is rich in indigenous fynbos, with four species that are endemic, as well as unique to the area.
The farm initially granted to Swedish immigrant Oloff Bergh in 1704, has witnessed three-centuries of winemaking. In 2000, Englishman Julian Johnsen, a true Oenophile at heart decided to buy the farm and try his hand at winemaking. In 2001, with investments from two friends, Julian set about replanting the vineyards and rebuilding the winery. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, owner Julian Johnsen, together with senior winemaker Matthew Copeland, embraces an environmentally sensitive approach to farming. An approach, which includes minimal intervention during the winemaking process, thus ensuring wine with a distinct fingerprint of origin.
Biodiversity at Vondeling
Biodiverse and sustainable farming practices are becoming a new industry standard in winemaking, which I think is fantastic. To help promote awareness of these conservation-minded farming practices, the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative{BWI} was established in 2004. In 2014, Vondeling was awarded Conservation Championship status within the BWI.
Between 2005 and 2015, with the assistance of both the BWI and WWF, many more farms have implemented biodiversity-friendly farming practices. To date, one-third of the wine industry, have environmental management plans in place, co-developed with WWF.
Today, Vondeling Wines continues its commitment to the conservation of their unique biodiversity, under the banner of the WWF as “Conservation Champions.”
Sit & Sip
After spending the morning exploring the farm and taking in the magnificent views, it was time for a spot of wine tasting and lunch. The Vondeling Tasting Room, which doubles as a wedding venue, is an elegant and inviting Cape Heritage style space. A beautiful high ceiling, with exposed wooden beams, adds to the rustic-modern charm. To complete the picture the large fireplace is the perfect spot for sipping wine in the cold winter months. Not to forget the shaded veranda, for hot summer days.
Tastings can be enjoyed, Monday to Friday from 10.00am till 17.00pm and on Public Holidays, Saturdays and Sundays by appointment. Sit and sip your way through the estate’s wines, choosing from the Premium tasting for R50 or the Botanical Tasting for R30. The Limited and Special Releases are, unfortunately, not available for tasting.
Wine Tasting
If you are visiting Vondeling for the first time, I recommend doing the Premium Tasting. The Premium Tasting includes seven of the Estates wines, which gives you a great overview of the varietals they produce. A few personal favourites are the Vondeling Rosé, Petit Blanc Chenin Blanc, Baldrick Shiraz and the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Botanical Tasting
The Botanical Tasting is of Vondeling’s flagship wines, the Babiana and Monsonia. Babiana and Mosonia are both blends, taking their names from species of fynbos, endemic to the Paardeberg mountain. The 2017 Babiana is an amazing full-bodied blend of 64% Chenin Blanc, 19% Viognier, 8.5% Roussanne and 8.5% Grenache Blanc. It is a great food wine, which is well-balanced, with a refreshing finish. Monsonia 2016 is a red blend of Shiraz 85%, Mourvédre 6 %, Grenache 5% & Carignan 4%. It is extremely smooth and much like its white counterpart a great food wine. The balance between spice and fruit is perfect, with hints of fennel and allspice, giving way to juicy dark fruit flavours.
Limited & Special Releases
Wines, not available for tasting but a must for connoisseurs and wine lovers, are the award-winning Bowwood Pinotage 2016 and Philosophie 2014. The Bowwood Pinotage and Philosophie are easily two of the best red wines I have tasted! Hats off to winemaker Matt Copeland and the Vondeling team.
The Bowwood Pinotage delivers intense berry fruit, hints of vanilla and delicate spice. A well-rounded palate, with soft acidity and refined tannins, confirm why this wine has earned so many accolades.
Equally delicious is the Philosophie, a limited release blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Cabernet Franc 7%, Merlot 6% & Malbec 2%. Philosophie, a sexy, full-bodied wine, with a savoury nose, delivers hints of wild fynbos and bold ripe berry fruit. A bold, yet refined palate, yielding intense fruit and vibrant acidity make for an extremely moreish wine.
Something you may not be aware of is that Vondeling Wines makes a Methode Ancestral Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noir. Their Rurale Blanc de Blanc, a 100% Chardonnay bubbly, has a dry crisp mouthfeel and with a lingering finish. It pairs really well with savoury flavours such as smoked salmon and fresh oysters. We had the pleasure of tasting it, overlooking the ’vineyard’s, after our fynbos walk.
Vintner’s Platter
To add to your tasting experience, I recommend ordering a farm-style Vintner’s Platter, to enjoy with a bottle of your favourite Vondeling wine. We each enjoyed a platter after our wine tasting and while everything was delicious, the snoek pate deserves a special mention, it was that good.
For larger groups of 10 or more, you can request a more substantial homestyle menu.
Chapel & Wedding Venue
St. Clement’s Chapel
The St. Clement Chapel is pure whimsy, like something out of a fairytale, combining old world charm, with simple modern design. A tall steeple, high wooden ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows, all add to its magical charm. You could not ask for a more breathtaking setting for a wedding.
The chapel, conveniently situated alongside the function venue, makes for a seamless transition to the reception and the stunning gardens are the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs.
The Vondeling Wines Reception Venue
The function venue, is an elegant space, with Cape heritage influences and a gorgeous high ceiling. During the colder months, the roaring fireplace will keep guests warm. Wedding receptions can also be hosted on the shaded veranda, in the warmer summer and spring months or inside the airconditioned venue. The Vondeling Wedding venue can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests.
Farm Stays
After exploring the farm and enjoying a fantastic wine tasting, we settled into the Farm House for the night. Originally built in 1740, the lovingly restored Farm House is an excellent example of Cape Dutch architecture. Seven, luxuriously appointed, country-style en suite bedrooms, can accommodate fourteen guests.
The house has a stunning fully equipped country kitchen, a dining and sitting room with a cosy fireplace. The recreation room, has a table tennis table, snooker table, satellite TV, and WIFI. There is also a housekeeper and chef available should you need them.
One of the highlights, for me, is the tranquil garden, which has a shaded terrace, 20m swimming pool, braai (BBQ) lapa area, croquet & boulle courts and spot-lit tennis court. I would love to return during the summer and spend my time relaxing in the garden, sipping on Vondeling wine.
The farmhouse is available to rent subject to availability and is the perfect place for family and friends to stay if you are hosting your wedding at Vondeling.
Final Thoughts
Sadly we tend to gravitate towards the more popular, well-known wine regions, while there are a host of hidden gems begging to be explored! I recommend that you take time out and visit these lesser-known areas, such as Paardeberg and Voor-Paardeberg, you will be very pleasantly surprised by what you will find.
Lastly, I would like to thank the wonderful team at Vondeling Wines for their exceptionally warm, Winelands hospitality!
Contact Details
Contact Vondeling Wines via telephone: +27 (0)21 869 8595 or mail:[email protected].
Images
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Our accommodation, meals and drinks were complimentary. Inspired Living and Fiona Rossiter have no material connection to the brands, products, or services mentioned in this post. All opinions, content, and images are the property of Inspired Living or Fiona Rossiter unless otherwise stated. To see more, read the full PR & Disclosure Policy below.
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