Koelfontein- Ceres

So todays post is the first outside the Winelands District, it is about a farm just outside Ceres, just before the start of the Gydo Pass- Koelfontein.

Now you might be thinking, "what in the world is a wine estate doing out there?", but if you consider that Tulbagh (some of the best red wine comes out of this little town) is just over the mountain, it might make a bit more sense. These two towns have quite a lot of history, but is slightly later than the history seen in Stellenbosch, but interesting nonetheless.

The first inhabitants of this area was the KhoeSan. In 1729, the first European transversed the Witzenberg Range and settled in the area. Various mountain passes were built and the route from the Cape to Kimberley (diamond mines) passed through Ceres and was therefore an integral part of this trade route.

Koelfontein has been owned by seven generations of the Conradie family who first bought the farm in 1823 from the widow of the original owner. Daniël Jacobus Conradie and his wife raised their 14 children in the first building on this farm (now the wine tasting venue). As with most farms of the 19th century, the farm was divided up between sons with Francois Conradie inheriting the land on which the vineyards are located today. In addition to vineyards, there are fruit orchards from which the fresh and dried fruit are sold.

As mentioned, the tasting venue is the original homestead of the Conradie's. It is also a museum and houses original antiques from the 19th century, including wine bottles! This estate focuses on two varietals, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Both of which have won multiple awards. If you have have read my blog before, you would have picked up that I like wooded Chardonnay and Koelfontein's does not disappoint. There are notes of butterscotch and pears on the palate. 2013 was a good year but for me, the 2014 has more depth. I have previously had the opportunity to taste the 2009 Shiraz; spicy with full body, just what a Shiraz should be! They are now selling their 2011/2012 vintages.

                               

This is definitely a farm with a difference! Wonder through the tasting room and look at the history in the walls while sipping an excellent wine or sit under the oak tree and watch over the sheep roaming ahead.