Category Archives: Wine & Food

December 10, 2025 · 5:35 am

Cape Town — Wine Tour: Blaauwklippen Wine Estate


Blaauwklippen Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

We’ve left the Paarl Wine Region behind and today I’m taking you into the Stellenbosch Wine Region for our last wine tasting of this 8 March 2025 tour — the Blaauwklippen Wine Estate. But before I get to the main review, I’m first going to show you something we visited before this tasting. Below is the entrance to the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, a low-security prison located Paarl and Franschhoek. So, why am I posting about this? Well, Drakenstein, back when it was known as Victor Verster Prison, was the final incarceration facility of a very famous Nobel Prize winner. On 11 February 1992, this man walked down the long, tree-lined pathway you see below, and then out the gate:

Nelson Mandela

Monday of last week I told you that the wines at the Rhebokskloof Wine Estate were passable, but the house-made chocolates were superb. Last Wednesday I revealed that Vrede en Lust had, by far, the most consistently good selection of wines, as well as an incredible burger. Today, I’m sorry to report, we finish with the least favorite winery of the tour —Blaauwklippen Wine Estate. And that’s not just me talking. Ursula agreed, as did several of our table mates. If I were inclined to purchase any wines on this tour, this would not be the vintner I would choose. Even the presentation of the snacks left a lot to be desired:

Pretty pathetic looking, eh?

Since I don’t have a lot of good to say about this venue, I’ll just leave you with some images of our visit here:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Leave a comment

Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation, Wine & Food

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 3, 2025 · 5:35 am

Cape Town — Wine Tour: Vrede en Lus Wine Estate


Vrede en Lus Wine Estate

The next stop on our Cape Town-area wine tour was also in the Paarl winemaking region, and it served the best wines of the three wineries we visited on this tour. This stop was also our lunch break, and it was an absolute delight dining here. So, today’s photo tour and review transports you to Vrede en Lust and their Lust Bistro & Bakery. As you can see, Lust Bistro is an immense establishment that doubles as a venue for large private functions and events:

Lust Bistro & Bakery

I was rather captivated at how they softened the industrial-style cathedral ceiling with the addition of vigas and latillas, a common feature where we live, in the American Southwest. And, yes, that’s an operable fireplace at the far end of the room, embedded in that rustic brick wall:

Lust Bistro viga architecture

This Lust menu is a good one, with breakfast and lunch options, although rather limited to simpler fare. Both Ursula and I opted for something we don’t normally do while traveling, as we prefer to try more traditionally local foods. We went with the burger knowing we would have ample opportunity for traditional South African cuisine later. We were most assuredly not disappointed.

Lust Bistro burger and fries

The fries were good, better than most in fact. But the burger was exquisite. I’ll let the menu tell you what the Lust burger contains — “200g beef patty, caramelised onion, smoked tomato relish, mature cheddar, crispy bacon, rocket (arugula), chimichurri mayo on a sesame bun.” The translates to big, juicy, and flavorful:

A burger to “lust” over

We kept dessert simple, and for a wine tasting event, on the traditional side:

Cheese, fruit, fresh-baked bread, crackers, olives, and chutney

While lunch was very enjoyable, we were actually here for the wines. And Vrede en Lust did not disappoint. Of the three wineries we visited this tour, the wines here were consistently good across the sampling. Alas, I neglected to note the varietals. My bad.

Vrede en Lust — Sparkling, rosé, white, and red

Next Monday we’ll finish up this tour with our walk through Stellenbosch and on Wednesday our third winery stop. Until then, here are some more Vrede en Lust images:

Lust Bistro & Bakery
Vrede en Lust’s Paarl vineyard
CHEERS!

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Comments Off on Cape Town — Wine Tour: Vrede en Lus Wine Estate

Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation, Wine & Food

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 1, 2025 · 5:35 am

Cape Town — Wine Tour: Rhebokskloof Wine Estate


Rhebokskloof Wine Estate

After our hectic full days on our River Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, which followed a busy schedule in Cairo, we were looking forward to some rest and relaxation. So, before things got hectic again, we decompressed for five days in one of our favorite cities — Istanbul, Türkiye (most recent Istanbul blog series at Istanbul — Arrival and Shopping; Egyptian and Grand Bazaars). And since, over the years, I’ve highlighted this destination countless times, including Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, cruising the Bosporus, and much more, I won’t bore you with yet another Istanbul series. Instead, I’m going to skip that destination and take you straight to our next stop — Cape Town, South Africa. And since long flights can also wear one down, I’ll begin with our relaxing, post-flight, first-day tour of wineries, starting with Rhebokskloof Estate in the Paarl winemaking region.

Rhebokskloof Wine Estate

One look at the surrounding area might lead you to guess what type of wines are Rhebokskloof’s specialty. If you guessed Rhone-style wines from this Rhone-type terroir, you guessed correctly. Their list includes hearty red shiraz and Shiraz blends, such as their Rhebokskloof Rhebok (60% Mourvèdre, 36% Petite Sirah, 3% Shiraz, 1% Carignan).

Rhone-style reds from a Rhone-type terroir

Of course, it wouldn’t be South Africa without that signature South African varietal Pinotage, which Rhebokskloof also cultivates. But they also drift into some of the more robust whites, such as Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. But what you won’t guess is what they pair with their wines. Fine gourmet chocolates made in house:

Incredible, delicious, in-house made fine chocolates

At least that’s what was in store for our tour. Other pairing options include wine & cheese and wine & tapas. But, being a certified chocoholic and connoisseur of all things cacao/cocoa, Ursula would’ve chosen this paring over the others anyway.

Is she chewing chocolate already?

As you can see, our group was rather large, as this is but one of several tables which we occupied:

Rhebokskloof Estate wine & chocolate pairing

Rhebokskloof was one of the better wineries we experienced on this tour. Their reds were better than passable, but the chocolates put this winery over the top. You’ll not find better chocolates anywhere. Now for some other views from this stop:

Dancing Beneath the Tree
Rolling Hills and Plenty of Shade
Yummylicious!

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Comments Off on Cape Town — Wine Tour: Rhebokskloof Wine Estate

Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation, Wine & Food

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,