By Olivier Gasselin,
View of Robertson with Johann de Wet from De Wetshof
We’re excited to publish a series of extracts from Olivier’s wine rambling in South Africa. This time he visits Hermanus. Olivier is the Head Sommelier at the Bluebird in Chelsea.
On the third day we planned to leave early, as we were meant to go to Robertson and decided to set off late morning. When we tried to check out of the hotel, we were only just told that all the roads in the Cape area were closed due to a cyclist race taking place there(We must have been the only ones not knowing about it). We were now stuck in the hotel until at least 4pm, which not only compromised the rest of our wine visits, but the remainder of our holidays.
After a bit of frustration, we ought to enjoy the time we had left in Noordheok. wejoined the newly-weds and the rest of the party on the beach, had a light meal, then finally we could set off. It was now a race against time.
I had contacted Jeanette Bruwer from the Springfield Estate, a few weeks prior to our trip and looked forward to visit her, but it was not to be…(apologies Jeanette!). We now tried to get as early as possible to the De Wetshof Estate (Springfield neighbours).
Even though we were more than behind schedule, we managed to enjoy the regions we were crossing, the mountainous areas, trying to avoid the baboons who ruled the roads. The arrival in Robertson was majestic, as we arrived for sunset surrounded by mountains, hills and its vast valleys. The region seemed a bit unexplored, a complete antagonism to Stellenbosch.
There are very big estates in the area of which, Graham Beck, Robertson Winery…but our destination was De Wetshof, one of the Pioneer of the Chardonnay grape in South Africa.
The De Wetshof Estate
When we finally made it to the winery, we could see no one around, knocked on some doors but without any success. Back in the car again on our way back to the main road, we met nose to nose with Johann De Wet in his car. We followed him, with great relief to his house, we made it! We apologized straight away for our lateness, but none of the De Wet family members seemed to mind.
We felt at home straight away and not before long we wre invited us to go to a restaurant that night, situated in Montagu. Unfortunately, Peter could not join us as he was involved in the harvesting the following day (starting around 2am to avoid extreme heat).
Next day Johann, shown us around the different vineyards they own, we then met Peter at the winery, preparing the latest grapes arrival. We then had lunch at their home, with great dishes accompanied notably by a wonderful 1993 D’Honneur Chardonnay and a 1993 Rhine Riesling.
I still don’t know today what was my favourite wine, but on top of my list I will put the Bateleur (the original vineyard cloned on the Beaune1er cru Clos des Mouches), for great food wine I also love D’Honneur (rich and majestuous), the Lesca (or Finesse-with tremendous elegance and minerality) and the Bon Vallon (unoaked Chardonnay but delicious and highly enjoyable).
The De Wet were kind enough after all they had already done, to give us a mixed case of their wines…which we finished of course pretty soon after being back to London. When the time came to say goodbye, we knew that we would be back very soon to visit again, as we had met a really lovely family…
If you missed out you can check Olivier’s visits to Stellenbosch, Cape town & Franschhoek
Tags: Olivier Gasselin, Robertson, sommeliers, south africa, Travel Diary