Hello and welcome to issue 9 of the langeberger, your sociology primer on the unique sub-culture of the Lodge. Despite ostrich-like attempts to ignore Christmas, I have to acknowledge that it is almost upon us. Some of us are already experiencing that classic seasonal symptom of overindulgence, a dull ache in the region of the wallet caused by excessive bashing of the plastic.
What better way then, to lift our spirits, than to take a tour of the Robertson Wine Route and Breede River Valley? I believe Malcolm Gluck, the UK based wine writer, once observed that if he were a grape he would like to grow up in a vineyard near Robertson where soil and climate are ideal for making excellent wines. And was it not the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal, who wrote, "I drink, therefore I am."?
From Swellendam take the R.60 (Ashton road) and make for nearby Bonnievale (23km) and continue along the road to Robertson (27km). This must be one of the most scenic routes in the Cape, flanked with palm trees and colourful plantings of bougainvillea, cannas, jacarandas and agapanthus. Stop for a 'tasting' or lunch at some of the best wine estates in South Africa. Two of my favourites are:
Van Loveren: sit in their beautiful shaded garden and sample some fine wines.
Viljoensdrift: sample some more fine wines, choose your bottle, buy your picnic from their deli and enjoy both on an hour-long boat cruise on the Breede river.
Or if you wish to avoid driving and do several ‘tastings’ let us take you in the Lodgemobile on a custom wine-tasting tour, designed to suit your preferences.
Your chauffeur will remain sober as a judge throughout the tour. You can test this at any time by asking him to recite the following rhyme:
I’m not the pheasant plucker,
I’m the pheasant plucker’s son.
I’m only plucking pheasants
‘Til the pheasant plucker comes.
By the way, if you claim to have seen a pheasant on the tour you will definitely have had too much to drink!
Thanks for staying with us and reading our ‘blog’. As Dave Allen (remember him?) used to say, “May your gods be with you”.
Adios amigos,
Chris
What better way then, to lift our spirits, than to take a tour of the Robertson Wine Route and Breede River Valley? I believe Malcolm Gluck, the UK based wine writer, once observed that if he were a grape he would like to grow up in a vineyard near Robertson where soil and climate are ideal for making excellent wines. And was it not the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal, who wrote, "I drink, therefore I am."?
From Swellendam take the R.60 (Ashton road) and make for nearby Bonnievale (23km) and continue along the road to Robertson (27km). This must be one of the most scenic routes in the Cape, flanked with palm trees and colourful plantings of bougainvillea, cannas, jacarandas and agapanthus. Stop for a 'tasting' or lunch at some of the best wine estates in South Africa. Two of my favourites are:
Van Loveren: sit in their beautiful shaded garden and sample some fine wines.
Viljoensdrift: sample some more fine wines, choose your bottle, buy your picnic from their deli and enjoy both on an hour-long boat cruise on the Breede river.
Or if you wish to avoid driving and do several ‘tastings’ let us take you in the Lodgemobile on a custom wine-tasting tour, designed to suit your preferences.
Your chauffeur will remain sober as a judge throughout the tour. You can test this at any time by asking him to recite the following rhyme:
I’m not the pheasant plucker,
I’m the pheasant plucker’s son.
I’m only plucking pheasants
‘Til the pheasant plucker comes.
By the way, if you claim to have seen a pheasant on the tour you will definitely have had too much to drink!
Thanks for staying with us and reading our ‘blog’. As Dave Allen (remember him?) used to say, “May your gods be with you”.
Adios amigos,
Chris
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