Cape Town - Another enticing destination now welcomes visitors in the Voor Paardeberg. This wine ward of Paarl is revealing ever more exciting wines as the farms develop into a rustic, informal wine route around the lone Paardeberg.
Irishman Edwin Doran and wine guru André Badenhorst met during a school rugby tour at Wynberg Boys’ High school two decades ago. Sharing a love of rugby, wine and good food, they forged a friendship that saw them acquire Far Horizons, a 180-hectare farm in the Voor Paardeberg.
Doran sold his fine Bordeaux collection to finance the building of the modern cellar, and accomplished winemaker Martin Lamprecht was persuaded to leave the Rhone valley and come home to make wines worthy of this venture.
While Edwin flits back and forth from London, André is revelling in building up the farm, with its 50ha of vines, a herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle, free-range chickens and a flock of Ile de France sheep, from which he intends to establish a stud.
In 2012 the maiden vintage of Horse Mountain wines was released, while the flagship Doran wines followed last year. Tastings take place in a simple airy room alongside the cellar, where Cinsaut, Martin’s regal ridgeback, keeps an eye on proceedings.
Using chenin from neighbouring farms, Lamprecht has crafted a delicious wine, fruit-filled and zesty, rich yet tangy. The 2012 (R69) is a four-star credit to the Paardeberg. We went on to an easy-drinking 2012 pinotage (R69) and an intriguing pinotage rosé, (R59) dubbed Rosie D, with an assertive berry bouquet, just made for a Med spread. Doran 2012 shiraz – to which 11 percent mourvedre lends character – is one to keep for a few years as well as enjoying now.
The Romy D (R69) a Bordeaux-style blend of 71 percent cab, 26 percent merlot and a splash of cab franc, from the farm’s own grapes, is well-balanced and already enjoyable. The budget-priced Horse Mountain wines should not be missed, with the 2011 chenin/viognier (R35) a triumph, rich and fruity and still fresh, while the 2011 shiraz (R40), fruity and unwooded, will appeal to many.
Lamprecht plans to experiment with adding up to 10 percent chenin to the 2014 shiraz, an idea he thinks could work as well as shiraz benefits from viognier in the Rhone.
Meanwhile, André is pondering introducing a sheep derby and set up a trial race to show us. The bewildered entrants were tempted by treats proffered by a human runner alongside. Betting, he says, will be introduced to add pizzazz.
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Wine round the rock
Farms fringing Paarl’s main road and around the famous rock will be ready for visitors next weekend during the Ommiberg Round the Rock festival. Traditionally a time to sample new unfiltered wines of the harvest, there is also a varied programme of attractions and activities.
Visitors can pick and stomp their own grapes and create personal blends at working wineries. Cooking demos, cellar tours and art expos will appeal to others, and children will be well catered for.
Mellasat Wines invites guests to enjoy a vino therapy foot massage. KWV suggests its pinotage journey, from grape to great wine, while Perdeberg is looking for potjiekos fundis to take part in its annual competition.
Nederburg offers a choice of tastings, while Laborie presents an extensive programme to please all ages. Accommodation is available on the farm and at Mountain Shadows. Tickets, cost R80 through www.webtickets.co.za or R100 at the festival, include glass and tastings.Children under 18 enter free. For more information visit www.ommiberg.co.za or contact 082 787 4118. - Weekend Argus