It doesn’t take a lot to win me over… A good glass of wine, a nice view and your beautiful smile – what can I say, I’m a simple man.
While the owner of the latter is proving to be elusive of late, there are two things that the Cape Winelands are not in short supply of – breath-taking views and spectacular wines.
Having lived in the Cape for the past 8 years, I think I have had my fair share of glasses of wine with a view that I feel are worth commenting on.
I’m a guy who likes my Chardonnay fat and my views with a sunset – both on offer obligingly at this humble gem. An afternoon glass of wine and a picnic on the grass complimented with views deep into the ocean beyond Chapman’s Peak, are enough to take anybody’s Sunday blues away.
There’s something about wine tasting on an island deck in the middle of a dam, with a view of a mountain backdrop fit for an oil canvas, that proves to be hard to compete with. This is a true soul-healing experience, no matter what the wine or time of day.
The estate’s Equus restaurant won the Boschendal Style Award at the most recent EatOut awards and it’s not difficult to see why. While the official wine tasting takes place beneath the restaurant in what can only be described as the man cave of the Gods, it is the glass of Bartinney Chardonnay whilst over-looking the dam in the direction of the Stellenbosch mountain ranges that really makes you feel that everything is right with the world.
Past the tasting room, up through the vineyards, you will find an elevated stretch of water nestled beneath the trees, and a beautifully crafted lookout deck. I was privileged enough to go up one Sunday evening with young-gun winemaker, Matthew Day. Taking in the views whilst being spoilt to the likes of his 5-star MCC and iconic Vin de Constance, proved the make of an evening that I will not easily forget. Available by appointment only, but worth every penny – if it’s good enough for NBA basketball players, I can promise you it will be well worth it for you.
It’s not a wine farm, but it is vital to have options when you’re in the city. Book a table against the glass barrister and take in the view dropping straight into the Atlantic, whilst sipping on a glass of Graham Beck Brut. Take a moment to feel the sunshine on your face – you can thank me later.
Cheers. Salute. Prost. Yonwabelani iziselu zenu!
Follow Lisle Clark on Twitter @lisleclark88