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Wine Estate

Harvest Time

The Spier harvest festival took place this weekend at the Spier wine estate, one of the first grape blessings and festivals that will by dotting the Western Capes March calendar.

 We had been planning the trip for about a week and were greeted with a perfect blue skied morning for our efforts.

 Arriving in Spier it was clear we were immediately off to a rocky start. Having pre phoned in  the week and received a double confirmation from the Spier staff that my small puppy was welcome to come and enjoy the ‘picnic’ atmosphere at the estate the guest liaison manager had other ideas.

 While we stood in the baking heat he repeated his apology speech but had no solution. Frustration grew as he suggested we return home drop the puppy and then return, a round trip of about hour and 40 min. This in fact was his only ‘solution’ to his staff misinforming us. Finally after a heated conversation and much shoulder shrugging form the guest liaison manager, the hotel security manager wondered over and was able to find a simple easy solution immediately that made everyone happier. It was a bumpy start to the day and unfortunately put a damper on our view of the service and staff of the well known Spier estate.

 However it is hard to stay frustrated on a perfect Cape Town summers day and so we soon found ourselves nestled into couches placed under the cooling shade of the trees sipping a crisp cool Spier chardonnay. The large canopies provided shade for those gathered around the light jazz band. The light notes of the guitars filtering through the summer haze.

 This years concept was fun and spunky allowing each person to pick their ‘personality’ that matched a wine. Mischievous and rosy cheeked for the easy drinking rose, voluptuous spicy and romantic for the Spier signature Shiraz. Each was delightfully described.

 The Spier wines form organically grown grapes was also a hit a perfect accompaniment to an afternoon in the sun, clear and sweet it was best enjoyed leaning against a tree enjoying a lazy summer day.

 There wasn’t a great variety of food available, unless you decided to have a long lunch at Moyo or enjoy the fresh and organic delights of 8@ Spier you were left to stand in the que's for a pita bread or boerewors roll. The R50 entrance ticket allowed you 6 wine tasting tickets, and any additional wine or bottles could be purchased from the sommeliers.

 For those, content to find a shady spot and sit and enjoy the perfect weather, sipping a Spier signature wine it was a great day out.

 Keep an eye out for other wine and harvest festivals coming up