Visiting an old favourite in Stellenbosch, Lanzerac Wine Estate

#SAHarvest2018 is coming to an end in Stellenbosch and with the last of the Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon being picked, the team at Lanzerac is grateful for another successful #LanzeracHarvest

I was fortunate to be part of a group of wine Bloggers who were taken on a tour of the Lanzerac Vineyards high up on the slopes of the Stellenbosch mountains.

I was in awe of the breathtaking views from up there. We were able to see the town of Stellenbosch and it's surrounding winelands below and Table Mountain in the distance.

Showing us around the vineyards and telling us all about the grape harvest was Lanzerac's viticulturists Danie Malherbe. We were also given the opportunity to do some grape picking.

One of my favourite Lanzerac wines is their award winning Pionier Pinotage. Danie showed me where the grapes for this wonderful wine is grown and harvested.

The Pionier Pinotage block is situated on the slopes of the Botmaskop Mountain in Stellenbosch

At the Lanzerac Cellar, general manager Barend Barnard welcomed us back with an ice cold refreshment, their MCC Blanc de Blancs Brut. This elegant and refined MCC is part of the Lanzerac Heritage Selection.

The other wines included in the Heritage Selection is the aforementioned, wonderful Pionier Pinotage as well as the Mrs English Chardonnay and the Le Général Red Blend.

Elizabeth Katherina English bought the farm Schoongezicht in 1914 for £18 000 and subsequently renamed the farm ‘Lanzerac’. She also bottled the first Lanzerac wine. The Mrs English Chardonnay is a tribute to this formidable lady.

After the First World War, the owner of this beautiful Stellenbosch wine farm renamed it Lanzerac, in honour of the renowned French General Lanrezac. The Lanzerac Le Général is a limited barrel selection of the best red wine of a particular vintage.

They also have the Single Varietal Premium Range and the very unique Keldermeester Versameling (Cellar Master Collection) which consist of : The PROF (60% Cinsaut and 40% Pinot Noir blend); The DOK (Malbec) and The BERGPAD (Pinot Blanc).

Click here to read more about Lanzerac Wines.

We were also very privileged to meet Lanzerac's Cellar Master, Wynand Lategan who told us more about his wonderful wines and the winemaking process at Lanzerac and gave us some samples to taste directly from the tanks.

Wynand also showed us some vintage Lanzerac wines, amongst these was a 1959 Lanzerac Pinotage, which was one of the first bottled Pinotage wines in the word.

The wine Bloggers all jumped at a chance to do some grape stomping. These were the Shiraz grapes that were picked earlier that morning.

After all the hard work of picking grapes and stomping it too, the Bloggers were famished. A wonderful lunch was waiting for us in the courtyard area of the Lanzerac Deli. Meticulously prepared by Chef Stephen Fraser, there were dishes like cheese boards with preserves and deli breads; roast snoek paté; incredible salads with smoked trout,Pinotage biltong and roasted vegetables; mini artisan farm pies; slow cooked beef brisket; braised lamb wrapped and the most scrumptious potato wedges I have ever had! Lanzerac wines were available in abundance to pick and choose from.

The Bloggers were in 'Social media heaven', taking pics and posting all over the show. This is where I put my camera down as I was starting to drool and could not wait to dig in! However you can also eat here and enjoy this food and so much more!

Click here to read more about the Lanzerac Deli.

After lunch Barend was keen to show the Bloggers the progress they have been making in rebuilding the hotel after the Reception, Governors Hall Restaurant, Craven Lounge, Taphuis Bar and all administrative staff offices were devastated by a fire in the early hours of Sunday morning, 28 May 2017.

Click here to read more about the Lanzerac fire on Stellenbosch VISIO.

Right now however there is great excitement in the air at Lanzerac in anticipation of the completion of the renovations and extensions to the hotel.

Each room and bathroom has a different layout and design and is uniquely decorated. Everything is going to be very luxurious. The kitchen is going to be a chef’s dream!

Keep an eye on Lanzerac’s Social Media pages Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news about the opening in the middle of this year or visit their website at www.lanzerac.co.za for more information.