90 of 800 - Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Franschhoek
Owned by the fourth wealthiest family in the whole of Africa, Anthonij Rupert Wyne is dedicated to the late son of Forbes Billionaire, Anton Rupert. Anthonij Rupert was the owner and winemaker on the L’Ormarins Estate in Franschhoek but in 2001 met his untimely death in an unfortunate car crash. Today, the estate is owned by his brother, Johann Rupert, who went on to not only name the farm after his brother, but also built a state of the art wine making facility. The L’Ormarins Estate houses the Terra del Capo cellars, equipped with gravity-fed cellars and a mechanical flywheel, the only one of its kind in Africa!
Anthonij Rupert Wyne is a must do when visiting Franschhoek, about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town CBD. You can definitely spend the entire day here as it is an all rounder - think wine tasting, lunch, a car museum and wedding venue. Definitely the best and most unique part about this whole experience is that you can be chauffeur driven in a vintage car around the estate for just R80 per person, per day! Better still, experience the total package as experienced in this blog post for just R595 per person by booking here.
In the Wine Tasting Room
There are two wine tasting facilities at Anthonij Rupert Wyne. As you enter, the very modern building is the Terra del Capo tasting room. Enter through the glass doors and walk up the winding staircase to an array of wine tasting facilities from private, relaxed or around the bar. The wine tasting ranges from R25 for 3 Protea Wines to R120 for a Shiraz and Charcuterie Tasting.
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A bit further up the driveway is the Anthonij Rupert Wyne Tasting Room in an old Dutch reformed building. A tasteful and elegant tasting area both inside and outside. The staff are friendly and welcoming. The wine tasting prices range R40 for an MCC pairing to R70 for a red wine tasting of three wines. You should also try the High Tea for just R180 per person.
It is essential that you book beforehand.
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The Wines
Anthonij Rupert Wyne have a great selection of MCC by L'Ormarins, a selection of Italian Wine varieties by Terra del Cappo, Anthonij Rupert Wyne Red wines, the Protea Value range and the Cape of Good Hope wines of which the Sauvignon Blanc is wooded.
A firm favourite of mine is the Rosé Brut NV - An elegant Pinot Noir just bursting with bubbles, raspberry, strawberry and a slight peppery undertone. It's a steal at only R120 a bottle.
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With Italian day coming up on 2 June, it was great to taste some Italian wines like a Sangiovese and a Pinot Grigio. They're great value too at only R65 and R85 respectively. I have never tasted a Pinot Grigio before and if you haven't either, then here are the tasting notes... Subtle whiffs of lemon, orange leaf, peach and stone fruit tempt the nose. The palate offers tangy and succulent notes of peach and nectarine fruit, along with some lemon freshness.
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Tasting some of the more pricey reds was a real treat. This tasting was R70 but oh so worth it. The grapes are sources from all over the Western Cape and produced in the gravity fed cellar. The cheapest bottle goes for R200 and the most expensive is R1190.
The food
The Italian Antipasti Bar at the Terra del Capo tasting centre is such a delight. If you are looking for oysters, tapas and cheese platters - then look no further. The meals are mostly meant for sharing and so this makes it the perfect setting for couples. The 5-course set menu is R350 per person.
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Signature favourites from previous menus include the crisp fried Calamari (with a zesty new Parsley and Lemon Pesto twist), and crunchy Whitebait with tangy Aioli. Regular guests will be thrilled to know that Chef HW Pieterse’s hearty, homemade Salsiccia sausages also make a comeback on the new menu, accompanied by ‘Cannellini Al Fiasco’ - a traditional Italian bean stew.
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Chef HW and his team will continue to hero local ingredients during the winter months, with the introduction of a Baby Vegetable Crudité, using vegetables grown in the L’Ormarins gardens and served with garlicky anchoïade, and fresh Ceviche prepared from local Franschhoek Trout, dressed with honey, lime and ginger. While local produce remains the focus, some ingredients are uncompromisingly sourced from Italy for their superb quality: Genuine Italian artichokes, truffles and Taleggio cheese are amongst the exquisite imported produce this season.
A mini lasagne is also on the winter menu this year! Although not strictly Antipasti, this dish pairs perfectly with the estate’s Terra del Capo Sangiovese, and Chef HW couldn’t resist adding it to the offering.
The Terra del Capo Antipasti Bar is open from Tuesday to Sunday (lunches only) and, as the estate operates on a ‘By Appointment Only’ basis, pre-booking is essential. For reservations, please contact 021 874 9074 or email tasting@rupertwines.com.
The Car Museum
The Franschhoek Motor Museum on Anthonij Rupert Wyne Estate is a definite must do! It's only R80 for a day pass which must be booked prior. They also have a Franschhoek Motor Museum Father's Day Package.
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The Manor House
Built in 1811 and recently restored is the Anthonij Rupert Manor House, now also the tasting room. Over the years, the estate maintained a rich history of viticulture and winemaking. Originally called L’Ormarins, the estate changed hands on many occasions. Between 1727 and 1856 it was occupied by the Haarhoffs, Jouberts, de Villiers’, Marais’, Morkels. Up to 1957 the owners were the Lategans, Silberbauers and Hamiltons. In 1969 a new chapter in the colourful history of L’Ormarins began when the Rupert family bought the estate.[gallery type="rectangular" size="large" ids="10485,10484,10480"]
What a wonderful day out in one of my favourite towns - Franschhoek.
So which farm will be next?:)