The Tulbagh valley makes an idyllic getaway for wine-loving road-trippers

16 October 2015 - 02:00 By Richard Holmes
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The scenic Tulbagh valley.
The scenic Tulbagh valley.
Image: Norman Collins/Supplied

The Tulbagh valley tends to keep a low profile, and yet the vineyards and wineries cradled by the Obiqua, Winterhoek and Witzenberg mountains are quietly making a name for themselves as producers of top-tier red and white wines.

The likes of Drostdy-Hof and Tulbagh Winery have long produced cheap and cheerful palate pleasers that are easy on the pocket, but a new crop of winemakers are pouring their efforts into crafting award-winning premium wines.

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Saronsberg is setting the bar when it comes to red wine from the valley, with cellar master Dewaldt Heyns turning out particularly good Shiraz and Shiraz-led blends. The Saronsberg Full Circle is a delicious blend of Rhône varieties not to be missed, while the Chardonnay-based Méthode Cap Classique is elegantly dry on the palate. The farm also offers charming self-catering cottages, and a spacious modern-art gallery above the tasting room.

There’s more great bubbly up the road at Twee Jonge Gezellen estate. Home to the popular Krone range of Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines, a tasting on the terrace offers up lovely valley views. Cellar tours are offered daily at 11am.

Across the valley, Theuniskraal has been in the Jordaan family for close on a century and is widely recognised as South Africa’s first white-wine estate. Cape Riesling, a wine distinct from the German-style Weisser Riesling, is falling out of fashion these days, but this bottling has a refreshingly crisp acidity and moderate alcohol. The Sémillon-Chardonnay blend is also worth a taste.

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At Fable Mountain Vineyards, on the flanks of the Witzenberg mountains, it’s Chenin Blanc that is the white-wine focus for winemakers Rebecca Tanner and Paul Nicholls. The pair takes their terroir seriously and it shows in the bottle: the Jackal Bird is a superb five-way white blend dominated by Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Also look out for their wonderful Night Sky, a powerful Rhône-style red blend.

Pinotage is another red grape that does particularly well in the valley. The Reserve Pinotage from Rijk’s Private Cellar is especially good, as is the Spencer from boutique estate Lemberg. Also look out for the quirky Hárslevelű: a white Hungarian grape typically used for sweet wine, here it is crafted into a full-bodied dry white. It’s just one of the many pleasant surprises the Tulbagh valley has in store.

For more information on the Tulbach Wine Route call 023-230-1375.

This article was originally published in Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Cape Town. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter.

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