ARGUABLY the best kept secret in the Winelands is the Voor Paardeberg wine ward. Uniquely placed north of Paarl, the ward consists of eight passionate producers who operate in an untamed landscape of overriding tranquility.
The Voor Paardeberg Visitors’ Centre is located at the David Frost Estate (yes, it is the golfer!) where the official Voor Paardeberg Visitors’ Centre, launched in November 2006, is perched on a rise overlooking the magnificent vistas of the mountains and the valley.
Originally the cowshed, the sloping floor and high beamed ceilings of the building exude warmth and hospitality - echoed in the greeting from Mariaan Harris, who manages this sociable venue.
Following the official launch 18 months ago, the wines are telling their own story and visitors are slowly discovering the uniqueness of the area.
Farm visits are by appointment only, but the Centre is open daily and you can taste all 46 wines from the area as well as meeting the eight producers at social occasions. Accommodation in the area can also be arranged.
Represented here are Anthony Smook, Ayama, Bernheim Wines, David Frost Estate, Horse Mountain Wines, Oude Denneboom, Scali and Vondeling.
Some of the farms produce mainly for export whilst others favour the local market and because of the small quantities you’ll find them in quite a few boutique wine shops and exclusive, upmarket restaurants.
A visit to the Centre means purchasing some of these superior wines at cellar prices – a real bonus, whilst enjoying a day in the country with some of the tastes of the region.
Regular Mediterranean Sunday lunches in summer, matching wines to dish, are another good reason to visit this unspoilt area and meet the producers. Lunches in winter are specially catered for, so booking is essential to avoid disappointment.
From garagiste to the more commercial operation all have one thing in common – allowing the “wine to do the talking” with little interference once the wine is bottled.
The thread that binds them is conservation of the land with as little spraying as possible, the history and the romance of the vine.
Powerful reds, with Shiraz and Pinotage topping the list, are indicative of the area, but more recently intriguing Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc have crept in and are being highly recognised.
Plantings of traditional Rhone varieties are the norm and many have adopted a “Rhone” style of old world production.
Others favour New World techniques but all have contributed to high recognition of superior wines winning awards here and overseas.
Terroir is the key to the structure and flavour of these farms which reside in the valley between the Perdeberg and Paarl Mountain, where a cool southerly wind prevails throughout the year.
