#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Pierneef à La Motte

It's a well known fact that La Motte is one of my all time favourite #WineRoutingWithLloyd stops. It's on my list to visit with every trip to Franschhoek! This last trip was my visit to the restaurant - Pierneef à La Motte. I had previously been treated to a meal prepared by Chef Eric Bulpitt so was excited to sample something coming his kitchen in his playground. 

Like most things at La Motte, inspiration is drawn from the artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, hence the restaurant name - Pierneef à La Motte. The restaurant has a unique focus on heritage cuisine whilst embracing and interpreting various cultures; ingredients & recipes. Which resonates with the adoration Pierneef had for the South African landscape & the country's diversity. 

The restaurant reminds me of an old school dining room on the farm, with a modern contemporary twist & pop of colour. I must say, I rather like it. It's raining outside & the fire is crackling in fireplace whilst families are enjoying their Sunday lunch. It feels like home; cosy & relaxed. 

The à la carte menu provides hearty, comfort food & presented picture perfectly by Chef Eric. There are frequent interpretation changes to the menu, but the focus on culinary heritage is constant, using & modifying recipes that have been used over more than 3 centuries. The seasonal menu is inspired from produces straight out of the gardens at La Motte.

The menu perfectly pairs each offering with a La Motte wine. Chardonnay with the Fish or the La Motte Millennium with the Pork. One thing that I admire is that these pairings go beyond just what you taste, but extend to the play on textures of food & wine too. 

Never skip dessert! Especially when a Chocolate Torte from La Motte is on offer. (Okay, well it's an overload of chocolate. But good gosh, it is absolutely divine.) A Milk Chocolate Crémeux, Hazelnut crumbs, Raspberries with a Hazelnut Ice Cream. What a delightful explosion of flavour & texture alike with each mouthful. Pair it with the Cabernet Sauvignon & you're all set.  

The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday; 11:30 - 15:30 but a reservation is a must. (You can do that here.)

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#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Anthonij Rupert

Bubbly with breakfast? Yes please! An early weekend morning drive out to Franschhoek means that you can pop in at Anthonij Rupert for breakfast & what better way than welcoming guests for breakfast than with a glass of ice cold Cap Classique? Now that's what #WineRoutingWithLloyd enjoys.

You'd have a choice of seating outside under the olive trees, or inside looking out onto the wine production & bottling line at the Terra del Capo Tasting Room. (Seating is limited, so naturally bookings are essential here.)

With a seasonal menu, selection is made easy & believe me; everything is good. From the Classic Farmhouse Breakfast & the Eggs Benedict to the Italian style 'Croque Madame' & Truffle Breakfast, you could even have something sweet with a Naartjie & Nutella Waffle. Freshly brewed Terbodore coffee fills the air & is very inviting, especially for those real early morning visits. 

Why not head on upstairs for a bubbly tasting of the latest offerings of Cap Classique & indulge in a flight of bubbles to relax after breakfast? 

- Brut Classique n/v

Fine bubbles with apple & hints of cinnamon on the nose. With some zesty lime to follow onto the palate. (All day, everyday bubbly!)

- Brut Rosé 2015

A gorgeous salmon pink colour with a fine string of bubbles in the glass. A nose full of gentle strawberries & cream that follow onto the palate along with more fresh crisp berries. (That Housewarming Welcome Drink)

- Blanc de Blancs 2013

A clear & crisp light golden hue in the glass. A nose of a fresh early morning sea breeze accompanied by ripe grapefruit. Incredibly pleasing on the palate with a slight minerality feel on initial taste, but smoothens & softens up accentuating those fruit flavours & finishes off with a crisp zesty lingering longing for more. (That Special Evening Bottle)

A wonderful treat to start the day in Franschhoek. But with so much more to do at Anthonij Rupert, you could just spend the whole day on the farm. A visit to the motor museum or even an Italian Cheese & Wine pairing. (See more about my previous visit here.)

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#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

When in Franschhoek, you'll notice quite a few bronze Lions "prowling" around town, with their tails curved over their backs. Well, they are not there just by chance just so that you know. These Lions link in with a wine estate that really has made it's mark in the South African wine industry over it's short lifespan. So Lion in Sanskrit, translates to Singh. And this happens to relate directly to Amaljit Singh, the man who has established a significant presence in the Franschhoek Valley.

But Lion also translates to Leeu in Afrikaans & this then fits into the name of Millineux & Leeu Family Wines. This marked the 1st capital venture of Amaljit Singh in the Cape Winelands with Chris & Andrea Mullineux.

Quite the interesting story right? Well, the wines that you'll get to taste out at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines are maybe even more interesting.  

Upon arrival at the Leeu Estate in Franschhoek, you'll immediately feel the grandeur as you drive up the winding road to The Wine Studio. This is the tasting room & has been designed to create the ultimate environment to taste the wines on offer. (It is really beautiful. Homely in a way, but still oozes that grandeur that you experience on your way up to the tasting room.)

You'll have an option of tastings to choose from. But if I can give a hint, you need to make a reservation to do a tasting here to ensure that they have space to accommodate you & so that you'll be greeted by name on arrival. Their wines are also produced in limited quantities, so you may even get to taste some wines here that have already 'sold out.' (That's definitely an added bonus & unique experience that you don't want to miss.)

My favourite tasting here, must be the 'Single Terroir Tasting.' Comprising of Swartland wines, that are only produced in the vintages where the winemakers get the best expression of terroir from a single specific site. So what that essentially boils down to, is that the winemaker makes a wine from grapes that have been grown on only one site. Terroir boils down to what the soil is & what is in the soil that will affect the growth & development of grapes. 

In this tasting, you'll get: Granite Syrah; Schist Syrah & Iron Syrah. So in essence you're tasting the same varietal but the grapes have just been grown on different sites, namely - granite, schist & iron. It is a brilliant way for you to taste how grapes are affected purely based on the soil that it is grown in. The characteristics of the soil bring out different elements of each varietal, that make it utterly unique. 

To further help you understand the concept of terroir, the friendly assistants in the tasting room present you with samples of the soil of each wine, as you taste it. It really adds another dimension to what you are tasting & it helps you move through the different textures of each wine.  

A visit to Mullineux & Leeu for this Single Terroir Tasting will give you a bit more insight into the fact that wine is not only about the taste & smell, but also about the 'feel' & texture of wines. 

A special thanks to The Wine Studio team for having us & making this visit truly memorable. 

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Driven by the #KiaSportage

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Leopard's Leap

There is always a #WineRoutingWithLloyd visit that really stands out every year. This year, I'm telling you that Leopard's Leap is that visit. I would be lying if I said that I was expecting an exceptional visit to this Franschhoek wine estate. Well now. Was I wrong. This visit was definitely one that surpassed my every expectation & completely 'over-delivered' in every aspect. 

They say that 1st impressions are lasting & could make or break you. Well, big ups to Leopard's Leap for making a very good 1st impression when we drove into the estate. WOW! A beautifully manicured garden & modern building greets you as you drive in, immediately giving me the feels that this is where I could definitely see myself spending some real relaxed time. 

I was here for a visit to experience the Leopard's Leap South African Table. The concept is simple. Thinking back, the kitchen has always been the heart of the home & it brings people together. This is exactly the concept that they are running with. Get chance to sit down with your friends & family or even complete strangers to share & taste authentic SA dishes, whilst learning more about the rich food heritage of our country. 

On arrival, some bubbles & nibbles. The Leopard's Leap Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir paired up with some Biltong, Drywors & Fresh Farm Bread will get your taste buds going & ready for what's to come. 

You'll be lucky enough to have Chef Pieter de Jager prepping your 3 course meal right in front of you, as he shares the stories behind every plate of food & the ingredients that go into a dish. Naturally, there will be wine! Little did I know that Leopard's Leap have been keeping some amazing wines to themselves all this time, that are only available on the property or online. 

Apart from the Classic Range, which I would like to think everyone is more familiar with, Leopard's Leap also have a Special Edition & Culinaria Collection which sport some phenomenal wines. 

I'll make special mention of the Culinaria Chenin Blanc (100%). This is the wine that definitely finally changed my perception on Chenin Blanc & what a wonderful varietal it really is. This bottle has a ripe summer fruits on the nose, with distinct white peaches & melons coming through. Subtle hints of sweet-spices accompany the ripe fruits on the palate. A bit of structure is added to the wine, being matured in French Oak barrels & really just rounds it off beautifully. (You really want to check out the price point on this bottle here. It's a steal in my opinion.)

The Culinaria Chenin Blanc was paired with something that is really Proudly South African. I mean, what is more South African than Pap & Wors right? A homemade wors recipe, that Chef Pieter developed himself after many trial & error & tastings, that is now simply succulent & delicious. Add a bit of pap to the plate & you've got a winner! Also not your usual mielie pap that comes from the store, but from their own produces ground in their backyard. (If I could eat that pap every morning, then I'd have 2nd helpings.)

Our main meal was Lamb Shank, that was literally falling off the bone. This dish reminds me of a Sunday Lunch at my Grandparents with the whole family. A tender piece of meat served with fresh veg & a reduction. It is really just a mouthwatering dish & what I love even more, is that it is actually such a simple dish & doesn't have any ridiculously fancy elements. Plain & Simple. 

Add a glass of the Special Edition Pinotage (100%), & you'll be serving an amazing pairing. Majority of the grapes used for this bottle, are bush-vines from the Paardeberg & Swartland area & are matured in French Oak barrels, making sure it has that velvety smooth finish & balance. A deep crimson colour, with hints of ripe red cherries, nutmeg & black pepper on the nose, that are joined by more red fruit & subtle vanilla on the palate. Ending off with that elegant smooth finish.

Ending off lunch with a take on the traditional Cape Malay Koesister. Not too much & just sweet enough to have you leaving that table very satisfied. 

I could go on & on about all the offerings here at Leopard's Leap, but then this post would go on for a while. So I'd highly recommend a visit to the estate & delve into the wines on offer that you can't find in your local stores.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Driven by the #KiaSportage

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Old Road Wine Co

As you drive into Franschhoek, you'll pass quite a few wine estates. But you need to be on the lookout for the Old Road Wine Co sign, because if you blink twice, you're going to miss it. And well that is going to be quite sad & most definitely your loss. So if you hit the centre of town, you best make a u-turn & go back to look again. Remember, this time... Don't blink! 

Opening in December 2018, Old Road Wine Co is pretty much the new kid on the block in Franschhoek. But that doesn't mean they don't know what they are doing! 

Find a spot on the deck where you can sit, relax & look out over the vineyards below. I can definitely see myself spending lots of time on that deck sipping on some wine & snacking on some fresh pizza straight out of Old Nonna. I'll tell you this; in my opinion, Old Road Wine Co is situated on one of the best spots on the main road, next to the old railway line. 

The space is fresh, funky & just plain cool! With modern industrial touches running throughout the property with brass & copper finishes accompanied by a mix of contemporary furniture The Fat Man Restaurant & Anvil Tasting Room are alive & inviting. 

We sat down with winemaker Ryan Puttick one morning to chat & taste wine. Old Road Wine Co produce wines that pay homage to the entire Franschhoek Valley's heritage, old vines & interesting stories. 

So lets talk some wine. But 1st, please have a look at these labels. How beautiful & quirky right? And rightly so, there is 'The Quirky Ones' range of wines available at Old Road Wine Co. With labels adorned with a Cleaver, a Jack Russel & Marie Antoinette about to be beheaded as she sits with her head in a guillotine. Each label naturally comes with a story that is well suited with what is in the bottle.  

Okay, now onto the wines. Starting with my favourite find. The bottle of Pardonnez-Moi. A Cinsault. I'm all for the different & lesser known varietals & well, lets be honest. Majority of folk have never even heard of it. Well, next time you see it in stores, you should definitely give it a try. A gorgeous light fruity red wine, that would make a great summer wine for those days you aren't keen for that heavier red wine. With bursts of ripe red cherries & berries on the nose with hints of spice, I believe this should be served slightly chilled.

Then part of the single vineyard, is the Grand Mère. An elegant 100% Semillon with a perfumed nose of light pear & slight hints of citrus. Following onto the palate with a soft & smooth mouth-feel where some tropical flavours keep evolving. Being slightly wooded sure has given this bottle such amazing character & some aging potential so you can keep this beauty for a while. 

Ah, then the 12 Mile Syrah definitely cemented a new found love for Syrah. So back in the day, the postmaster had to cycle 12 miles to deliver the post on a daily basis to the folk in Franschhoek. An elegantly complex yet textured bottle of ripe fresh berries. Hints of pepper follow through on the palate & combined with blackcurrants will have you savouring the last drop. 

This is definitely worth the stop! You need to add this to your list. I know that I'll be popping in again for a while longer. 

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Driven by the #KiaSportage