My earliest memory of the Lanzerac wine estate dates back 30 odd years. I was super impressed. Not by their wines of course. Being fairly sensible folk, my parents didn’t stand for that sort of nonsense from an 8-year old. Nope, Mini Me was gobsmacked by their Cape Dutch manor house. We didn’t really have those in the Transvaal.
What with living in the Cape for the past 20 years, I guess it’s not really on that I didn’t visit again until a few weeks ago, when the team from Lanzerac invited me to come have a look-see and taste a few of their wines. I was optimistically trepidatious. Would it be the place of my memories?
Yup. There’s still a stately tree-line avenue leading to a magnificent Cape Dutch manor house, still acres of lush gardens, still towering mountains all around. Pretty much a knockout. But the folks of Lanzerac have not been idle, for they have made major changes and have more in the pipeline.
First up I headed for the new tasting centre. Think oak-panelled walls, crystal chandeliers, deep comfy chairs… It’s ultra luxe, fortunately without the snooty attitude that so often accompanies this level of luxury. In fact, the tasting room peeps are downright friendly.
When I think of Lanzerac, I immediately think of their rosé. You know the one I mean – the one in a cheeky bottle with decidedly womanly curves. I also think of Pinotage, as this was the first estate to bottle this uniquely South African cultivar way back when. But Lanzerac is about so much more. Under the guidance of winemaker, Wynand Lategan, and his dedicated team, Lanzerac produces intense, complex wines worthy of accolades.
Lanzerac wine estate, Stellenbosch: Knockout luxury and good wine to boot.
The estate has three ranges. An entry level range (R40 per bottle) named Alma Mater – unsurprising I guess, given that Stellenbosch University is practically on their doorstep. Then there’s their Premium range of single varietals starting at R80. And finally their flagship top-of-the-pops Heritage range, which includes just three wines.
All three ranges are available for tasting, but for an unusual tasting experience, opt for the R70 tasting that pairs five of their Premium wines (we’re talking 4-star Platter stuff here) with chocolates specially made for them to enhance the unique character of each wine. If wine and chocolate is not your thing but you want a nibble to be part of the wine tasting experience, opt for their R75 tasting option of four wines with a selection of Boerenkaas cheeses.
Next up, head to the deli next to the tasting room. Done up in the same luxe splendour as the tasting room, you can order from a menu or put together a custom snack from their deli selection. But if you really want a treat, opt for a picnic basket and head on up to their picnic terrace. Pop the cork on a bottle of Lanzerac MCC, snack on delectable cheeses, charcuterie, breads, pate and pickles. Stare at the mountains in the distance and breathe deeply. This is what they call living folks. Let’s all try to do more of it this year!
where
No. 1 Lanzerac Way, Stellenbosch
GPS: S33° 56,253/E18° 53,649
when
7 days a week
head
9.00-17.00
contact
021 887 1132
About this article: I only write about places and things I actually really like. Should I receive complimentary meals/tickets/diamonds, this will always be revealed. I’m not in the rubbishing business, so if something is not my cup of tea, I’ll simply not write about it (but I’ll keep the diamonds). Therefore this is not so much a review, as a personal recommendation of places and things I like. Living in Cape Town, I focus mainly on the Western Cape, and I can only cover so many places (there is that troublesome thing of trying to make a living, after all). This is where I need your help. Please share your favourite markets, festivals, restaurants and wine tasting experiences from all over the country with others by using the ‘COMMENTS’ section below.
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