PRETORIA.co.za's first wine club event was a huge success with good food and great wine.  The representatives of Hermanuspietersfontein estate presented their wines with interesting information about each blend and a bit of background about the estate's origin. Did you know that the town of Hermanus was first called Hermanuspietersfontein?  Hermanus Pieterse was a Dutch settler in the area that discovered a fruitful fountain in the area that provided a useful watering spot for the surrounding farms. So the sailors started naming the place "Hermanus Pieters' Fontein". In the early 1900’s the postmaster shortened the name to Hermanus.

Kim Macfarlane, assistant wine-maker, and Johan Krause, Gauteng wine agent, were the hosts for the evening. Both clearly have a passion for wine. Hermanuspietersfontein estate was started in 2005 by Bart Eksteen and a few investors.  In honour of Hermanus Pieterse and the passionate people of 1855, they have committed to always labelling their wines with Afrikaans names – the only cellar in South Africa to do so.

Barn 52 provided the perfect backdrop for exploring this acclaimed wine estate. With its soft, warm ambience and scrumptious food, it was not difficult to sit back and relax. Ciabatta bruschetta with toppings kicked off the three-course meal. The main course with a variety of meal options included a beef wok, magic mushroom pizza, vodka cream pasta and the savoury dessert of a cheese platter complimented the well-rounded red wines that finished off the tasting.

After you explored all the wine options on display, you could choose your favourite and enjoy a full glass. The choices included "Bloos", a unique Bordeaux-style blush wine, packed with red berries and a whiff of oak. The estate esteem themselves as Sauvignon Blanc specialists, to sample the "Nr. 3", a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with defined tropical fruit undertones from a single vineyard and the "Nr.7" a crisp herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc with good minerality was presented for enjoyment.

For the red wine lover three options was given - "Swartskaap" a herbaceous Cabernet Franc with European minerality and soft tannins; "Kleinboet" a five-varietal Bordeaux-style wine with balanced fruit and oak; as well as their flagship pride and joy "Die Martha" an elegant Rhone-style Shiraz-driven blend with well integrated wood.

Hermanuspietersfontein has been acclaimed with awards since 2006, getting off to a good start this estate has grown to maturity in quite a short time span.  If you are ever in the Western Cape region, treat yourself to an overnight visit at this prestigious estate. Secluded cottages on the property will provide a tranquil getaway.

This latest addition to the PRETORIA.co.za repertoire is definitely worth keeping space open for in your diary.  An enjoyable outing with friends to experience a bit of culture and exposure to new tastes. Christie and Darren Hepke were the winners to this premier evening. Ardent wine connoisseurs, they are very excited about the upcoming events.

There was also a lucky draw on the evening, a fun element, keeping people hopeful of receiving a sample of the delectable wines. Order forms were also available to easily stock up on your new favourite.

Make this your new hobby, sign up for our wine club and expand your wine knowledge to impress your friends. An easy way to have a fun evening out and learn something new!

Our next wine tasting evening will be in February 2012 with Ryk Neethling showing off (yes in person) his new wine from the Val de Vie Estate in Paarl.

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