Du Toitskloof

 Du Toitskloof   27 July 2025  45/60

To end off a stunning weekend we stopped at the winery on the way home. Great views and setting, but a bit commercialized. Even though we bought a case of wine they still charged for every tasting. The wines are presented well on a selection sheet but choosing just 4 out of 30 is tricky. 

Was pleasant though in the winter sun.

Best Wine of the day

Name of Wine	Du Toitskloof Heritage Chenin Blanc
Varietal	Chenin Blanc
Price	R80
Aroma	Cut grass
Colour	Clear
Taste	Tropical
Overall Rating (/20)	15
Winery rating (/20)	11
Vintage	2025
Alcohol %	12.5%

De Wet

 De Wet 26 July 2025    44/60

Luffly little farm in the mountains. We even could taste 6 Dogs Gin while here. Good whites and also good reds. 

Best Wine of the day

Name of Wine	Merlot
Varietal	Merlot
Price	R76
Aroma	Pepper and bay leaf
Colour	Black
Taste	Plum and Black currants
Overall Rating (/20)	15
Winery rating (/20)	15
Vintage	2024
Alcohol %	13%

Bruce Jack

 Bruce Jack    25 July 2025    42/60

Just outside Rawsonville is a wine tasting centre where some of the smaller farms put their wines for tasting.

Best Wine of the day

Name of Wine	Bruce Jack Shiraz
Varietal	Shiraz
Price	R 85
Aroma	Berries and pepper
Colour	Black
Taste	Berry leather
Overall Rating (/20)	15
Winery rating (/20)	15
Vintage	2024
Alcohol %	14.5%

Daschbosch

 Daschbosch    25 July 2025    43/60

Best Wine of the day

Name of Wine	The Gift
Varietal	Pilotage, Malbec, Petit Verdot
Price	R 130
Aroma	Berry
Colour	Black
Taste	Raspberry
Overall Rating (/20)	16
Winery rating (/20)	18
Vintage	2022
Alcohol %	14.5%

Meander

 Meander    25 July 2025    41/60

Best Wine of the day

Name of Wine	Meander Shiraz
Varietal	Shiraz
Price	R 75
Aroma	Plum
Colour	Dark Red
Taste	Light Pepper
Overall Rating (/20)	15
Winery rating (/20)	18
Vintage	2023
Alcohol %	14.5%

Laborie

 Laborie 12 July 2025    40/60

Lovely visit on a perfect winter's day. We tasted well as the tasting amounts were above average.

Funniest part of the day was after a waitress took a series of photos, and she was asked if we looked good, her response was :"Sir, you are definitely not photogenic." of the three, to protect the innocent, I want say who she referred to.

Best Wine of the day

Name of Wine	Shiraz
Varietal	Shiraz
Price	R 85
Aroma	Berries and pepper
Colour	Black
Taste	Berry leather
Overall Rating (/20)	14
Winery rating (/20)	15
Vintage	2022
Alcohol %	14%

Fairview

 Fairview 12 July 2025    39/40

A below par tasting, mainly due to the commercial approach we are not used to.

Best Wine of the day

Name of Wine	Petite Syrah
Varietal	Syrah
Price	R 160
Aroma	Berries and pepper
Colour	Black
Taste	Raspberry
Overall Rating (/20)	14
Winery rating (/20)	11
Vintage	2022
Alcohol %	14%

As an aside, we popped into CBC brewery next door to fill our growler, and to admire the view with an uplifting IPA. Our conversation turned to whisky and the upcoming rugby. Grandad said he was bringing an excellent whisky, Paddy's and we would have a "nip' with every try the Springboks scored. A large black gentleman sitting at a nearby table said that although he agreed with the choice of whiskey, it was not to be sampled with a "nip". as we left, he waved good bye and in a loud voice reminded us to "not use the N word!!" of course some of the tourists around were confused :)