;)
MCGREGOR WINE MEANDER
Posted by McGregor Tourism McG on 23 July 2021 8:00 AM CAT
Calling both wine lovers and all those visitors who would like to hike, bike, wander or drive through our beautiful valley. The McGregor Wine Meander is a winding 15km route through vine-clad hills, past orchards, farmsteads and stretches of veld where nature rules supreme. It includes our village, and along the way are three stops, two beautiful wine farms and a village Garagiste, where our winemakers and farmers share passion and hospitality with their enticing ranges of wine
Our wines are becoming known for their surprising diversity, consistent quality and great value for money. Extraordinary variety within one small wine-producing district means that visitors can sample single vineyard whites, reds and rosés. These include fine Bemind and Colombard from Tanagra that present delicious examples of former humble, but now trendy grapes that have been raised to new quality levels. Lord’s tempts with award-winning Cap Classiques, and from the three producers, a variety of magnificent reds including Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and voguish Pinot Noir.
And that’s not all! One producer, Tanagra Winery and Distillery, also presents a range of spirits: In 2009 Robert Rosenbach set up his imported still with help from a German master distiller. Today he works on his own, distilling pomace and lees from superior cellars into impressive marc (grappa) and whole orchards of lemons and stone fruit into eau de vie. Both these aperitifs and digestifs impress local and Continental palates. The farm’s delectable orange liqueur, which enjoys a large following, offers consumers a sweet spirit with a lower alcohol level.
In the heart of the village travellers will find Bemindwyne where owner and winemaker Ilse van Dijk Schutte works – when she is not out collecting her chosen grapes from wine farms in the surrounding valleys. Her operation is the fulfilment of a decade-long ambition which saw her move south from Potchefstroom to Stellenbosch University and finally on to McGregor. Her range of handcrafted wines has drawn high praise from near and far although many are disappointed at finding their favourite label sold out. Among the perennial favourites are her bone-dry MCC produced from local Chenin Blanc, her zesty Sauvignon Blanc and her appealing Cinsaut. The Shiraz is the red for fans of full-bodied reds which pair well with red meats.
While many wineries in the region boast picturesque settings, few can compare with that of Lord’s. Perched high on the slopes of the Sonderend mountains north of McGregor, the thatched cellar and stunning adjoining function area are surrounded by vines, backed by hectares of fynbos and proteas.
The Oosthuizen family dominates farming here with fruit, vegetables, flowers – and wine. Little more than a decade ago Jacie Oosthuizen identified 13ha of cool terroir where he planted pinot noir and chardonnay, built his cellar and launched his maiden vintage in 2006. Visitors can taste, buy, order light lunches, and book attractive accommodation. The wine menu offers two Cap Classiques, the delicious rosé and the classic Brut which has garnered a fistful of awards. Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Chenin are offset by two reds, the Shiraz and the hugely popular Pinot Noir.
The old adage – arrive as strangers, leave as friends – could have been coined for this valley. There’s also a Tasting Box to take home which contains six of the most popular Meander wines. In anticipation of your tastings we will raise a glass in welcome with traditional toasts of Cheers! Gesondheid! And, with a nod to our Scottish heritage, Slainte!
