The Midlands Meander is an epicurean Eden that straddles the gorgeous pastures between Mooi River, Hilton and Karkloof, petering out on the foothills of the imposing Drakensberg. It’s identified for a lot of issues – a number of pubs included, however actually not for wine.
In reality, most assumed it could be unimaginable to develop grapes out right here, by no means thoughts make wine on this area, which is only a hop, skip and a leap from the near-tropical climes of Durban and the seashore resorts that line the coast north and south of it.
However a number of dedicated pioneers have confirmed the naysayers improper. For starters, there are the oldsters at Abingdon Wine Property.
Message in a bottle
Wine property? Within the misty Midlands? I can hear you scoff.
Household-run Abingdon was the primary farm to provide an authorized property wine from KwaZulu-Natal grapes with their maiden classic in 2007. Jane Smorthwaite, who owns Abingdon together with her husband Ian, stated: ‘Winemaking is a lesson in persistence.’
She advised me this, grinning, from behind the counter of the Abingdon tasting room the place guests line up at weekends to style the regional wines.
Introduced up among the many gloomy grapevines of Lion’s River, Laurie Cooper (daughter to Jane and Ian) is now the assistant winemaker at Abingdon and was named the Moët & Chandon greatest younger sommelier of South Africa for 2019. The next yr, their tasting room was the recipient of the American Specific Eating Awards South Africa’s Greatest Saved Secret.
I instantly beloved this vineyard as a result of Abingdon embraces us, the newbie wine lovers. ‘Ian is totally self-taught, and Laurie studied wine extra formally,’ Jane defined. ‘He says, “Proper, my intestine says this” and he or she’ll reply with “Don’t be ridiculous, science says this.” They’ve a tremendous synergy.’
The ensuing wine is one thing of a compromise between them.
‘We don’t need to be an nameless bottle on a shelf,’ Jane says. ‘We would like you to come back and sit with us for an hour or two, hear our story, and grow to be an Abingdonian, as we name them.’
Just like the bubbly that strains the cabinets of the cellar, Jane is effervescent. Such a spirited high quality undoubtedly aided in making their wild concept work. ‘KZN is able to making fabulous, fabulous wine,’ she stated. With loads of rain and rolling inexperienced surroundings, the environmental situations of the Midlands are much like these in elements of Europe. ‘We’re getting such a reputation for unimaginable wine as a result of it’s so totally different. It’s bought an old-world nature that’s rather more delicate. In a blind tasting, you get a leaner type and a stunning minerality. Why dilute it? ’ Jane continued, her canines snuggling deeper into the rugs beside the blazing fireplace in a quintessential Midlands scene. Right here, there’s no snooty sniffing and spitting (no less than, not throughout my visits the place each sip was swallowed). As an alternative, there’s a tradition of studying and a way of surprise about wine.
Sip occurs
‘Our greatest problem is the climate. If it’s not rain then it’s hail. There are additionally vervet monkeys,’ Jane gestured to a few of the winery’s electrical fences. ‘We’ve had rain for seven months this yr. The one motive our winery isn’t diseased is that we’re on the market day by day thinning the vines and we’re pedantic. We have now not set foot off this farm. Sure, we’ve confirmed it may be accomplished, however it’s onerous.’
The entire household has put their coronary heart and soul into making wine work. Laurie is in her second yr of the Grasp of Wine qualification (she’ll be the third-ever South African with that title if she will get by way of it) and he or she runs the WSET-accredited KwaZulu-Natal Faculty of Wine to coach up-and-coming wine aficionados.
‘I did all my {qualifications} abroad and there’s a wine college round each nook in London, however in South Africa, the one college was in Cape City. So I opened one right here in 2015,’ Laurie defined. It’s been met with an amazing reception garnering help from famend chef Jackie Cameron (born and raised within the Midlands, she gained fame for her implausible meals as head chef of Hartford Home earlier than leaving to start out a culinary college primarily based in Hilton) and also you’ll discover graduates at The Oyster Field, The Residing Room at Summerhill and Qambathi Mountain Lodge. It’s not all critical sommeliers, although. I’m positively returning for the newbie’s course one Saturday.
‘We need to train individuals to be courageous with the wine lists! Additionally they go into the winery and cellar, adopted by an extended, boozy lunch. It’s di-vine!’ Jane promised. I needed to really tear myself away from such contagious enthusiasm, however depart I have to (with a delegated driver). No less than it was as a proudly appointed Abingdonian with a number of bottles to savour later.
Learn between the wines
A visit to the Nelson Mandela Seize Web site 5km from Abingdon was sobering, to say the least, however I’d peg it as one of the best museum in South Africa proper now. That includes a metallic sculpture that strains as much as type Nelson Mandela’s face, the complicated has a sturdy exhibition with implausible video installations and a diversified show that begins with the Bhambatha Revolt, proceeds to Nelson Mandela’s arrest at this very roadside on 5 August 1962 and descriptions the wrestle for freedom from apartheid that adopted.
Again on the R103, I adopted the winding tar highway for an additional 5km to Piggly Wiggly. Lunch at Highgate Wine Property didn’t really feel practically as homely as at Abingdon however the larney high-ceiling restaurant scored massive factors for its fabulous feast.
Clients ranged from besties out on a ladies’ weekend to households treating grandparents to a sleek meal. After a grilled goat’s cheese and beetroot starter, I sampled the attractive blush Blanc De Noir from the tasting choice. The refreshing rosé was actually my favorite, however the Syrah (very mild, virtually like a Pinot Noir) and Pinotage didn’t disappoint. Nonetheless, I did miss having the winemaker on name to reply all my questions.
As with the Cape Winelands, you needn’t solely style or purchase wine. Highgate is subsequent door to Piggly Wiggly and I by no means miss the prospect to peruse Huddy’s Books (an effective way to stroll off Highgate’s panna cotta dessert) or fill up on native cheese made by The Gourmand Greek or Indezi River Creamery at The Pantry on 103.
My subsequent cease was like stepping by way of a time machine and revisiting the Midlands Meander of outdated. The Wine Cellar helps pensioners with pickles and jams and there’s a cluttered bookshop that funds the area’s SPCA, however the pleasant chaos and bric-a-brac entrance belie a cool cellar stacked excessive with glorious wines from throughout South Africa (ones you’re unlikely to seek out in Woolies). ‘We began in 1996 as one of many first wine speciality retailers in Natal. They didn’t know what to present us after we requested for a licence!’ proprietor Margie Spowart stated. Her daughter, Sarah Adam, labored within the Cape for 9 years (lots of them with Riaan Marais of Alvi’s Drift) earlier than returning dwelling to the household enterprise.
The cosy camaraderie jogged my memory of Abingdon, and one thing Jane stated echoed in my head. ‘I usually get up pondering, “What am I doing!”, nevertheless it’s blessed us. For all of the onerous work and tears, the winery introduced our household dwelling.’
Sarah added: ‘We’ve additionally bought somewhat winery on the property. Greytown was the primary to plant vineyards in KZN between 2002 and 2004 they usually have been then transplanted right here. The varietals do very properly right here within the chilly.’
Time to wine down
‘We drink wine day by day. My spouse is a little bit of a wine snob,’ lodge proprietor Jon Bates joked after we met for a fast stroll at Fordoun Lodge and Spa. After a day of overindulgence, the bracing farm air and rolling views have been a tonic. I used to be launched to the chickens that lay some 90 eggs a day for breakfast and noticed the place the top chef, Jonathan Kalika, forages each day for recent herbs, fruit and greens. ‘We produce as a lot as we are able to for consumption on-site, farm to fork is our purpose,’ Jon advised me. I additionally learnt that the Farm Village hosts an annual bubbles pageant and final yr had a worthy trigger for celebration because it marked 50 years of Cap Classique manufacturing in South Africa.
The self-catering cottage on the Fordoun Farm Village offered a tough alternative: craft my very own cheeseboard for the wines I’d stacked up up to now or deal with myself (once more) on the Skye Bistro. Saving my treasured bottles, I opted for the latter. I knew I’d made the best determination when scrutinising the menu. Meals took up two pages and the wine listing made up the stability of 20. There have been inexpensive blends from Robertson, thrilling Swartland finds and Cederberg Savs, however I picked a Pinotage as a result of it was known as “Hell Yeah”, which properly summed up the weekend away.
Journey planner
The place to sip
Granny Mouse Nation Home has a room dug deep under the lodge to make sure good temperatures and is a enjoyable escape from run-of-the-mill Meander with macaroon and wine pairings or liqueur and chocolate tastings.
From R130 per individual
033 234 4071
grannymouse.co.za
Abingdon Wine Property is the true deal. E book a desk for tapas under the eaves and luxuriate in wine by the glass with the household who made it. Open Friday, Saturday and two Sundays a month from 11am to 5pm (except there’s a wedding ceremony). The Newbie’s Wine Appreciation Course is run on set dates on the on-site KZN Faculty of Wine.
083 463 8503
abingdonestate.co.za
Highgate Wine Property gives fancy fare, informal bar-stool tastings and fairly picnics throughout the grounds. Open Friday to Sunday, between 11am and 4pm. Wine tastings are first come first serve and R100pp, picnics are R350pp and have to be booked 48 hours prematurely.
066 449 2620
highgatewineestate.co.za
The Wine Cellar and Mouse Lure Deli simply outdoors Rosetta is a low-key, relaxed wine-tasting venue with a formidable selection and a desk arrange beside the fireside. You’ll additionally discover native cheeses on the market. Open Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm and till 3pm on weekends.
082 923 8781
thewinecellar.co.za
Fordoun Bubbles is an opportunity to decorate up and can happen on 19 November 2022.
Tickets are R200 pp
033 266 6217
fordoun.com
Cathedral Peak Wine Property lies past the Meander within the fertile Winterton Valley. Sip wine with views of the vineyards and the Drakensberg past. Go to from 9.30am to 4pm (closed Tuesdays).
R10pp per tasting
063 075 1123
cathpeakwines.com
Keep right here
Africamps at Gowan Valley consists of 5 thoughtfully outfitted tents with decks set into the panorama and prioritising privateness from each other – all the higher to utilize the outside sizzling tub.
From R705 pp pn
021 300 5694
africamps.com
Three Tree Hill With the cellar of desires and providing each single cultivar, and from every area, you’ll additionally discover ‘proudly KZN’ finds, akin to Abingdon, in addition to many natural and biodynamic wines. AslinaWines are additionally to be discovered.
From R2 080 pp pn full board.
087 059 9016
threetreehill.co.za
Qambathi Mountain Lodge An hour from the Midlands Meander within the Kamberg Valley, it’s a romantic refuge that shares Abingdon’s wines to go together with its five-course dinners.
From R1 500 pp pn
072 188 0797
qambathi.com
Fordoun Lodge and Spa The Farm Village is a set of contemporary self-catering cottages that sleep two, 4 or six. With fireplaces, porches and rolling hillside views a brief drive (or nice stroll) from the primary lodge, luxurious spa and Skye Bistro, the items are pet-friendly, too.
From R1 765 pn per cottage on the village; from R1 795 pp pn on the lodge.
033 266 6217
fordoun.com
Wild Hare Cottages So near Abingdon you would stroll there, the self-catering cottages are cute, comfy and gained’t obliterate the price range.
From R950 pn for 2
079 491 3823
wildharecottages.com
By Melanie van Zyl
This text initially appeared within the September 2022 print situation of Getaway
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