Local Wine Events

Event Details

Wine OR Wine & Food

Thursday, September 17th 4:00 to 6:00

We will be tasting new releases of Reds from South Africa, for inclusion on our list.  Stuart Timmons of Farrell Distribution will be on hand to discuss the wines and answer any questions. The establishment by the Dutch East India Company of a refreshment station at the Cape in 1652 had one single aim: to provide fresh food to the company's merchant fleet on their voyages to India and surrounding areas. Jan van Riebeeck, the first governor of the Cape, planted a vineyard in 1655, and on 2 February 1659, the first wine was made from Cape grapes. Van Riebeeck strongly encouraged farmers to plant vineyards although initially they were most reluctant. There were many setbacks in the beginning, chiefly because of the farmers' ignorance of viticulture. Things improved when Van Riebeeck was succeeded in 1679 by Simon van der Stel, who was not only enthusiastic but very knowledgeable about viticulture and winemaking. He planted a vineyard on his farm Constantia and made good wine from the outset. The Dutch had almost no wine tradition and it was only after the French Huguenots settled at the Cape between 1680 and 1690 that the wine industry began to flourish. Most of the Cape’s winegrowing regions are influenced by one of the two mighty oceans which meet at this southernmost tip of Africa: the Atlantic and the Indian oceans. Combine beneficial maritime influences like regular coastal fog and cooling sea breezes with a moderate Mediterranean climate, distinctive and varied topography, and diverse soils, and you have the ideal conditions in which to create wines of unique character and complexity. The format will be casual, walk around with cheese and bread.  The wines featured will be:

Post House, “Blueish Black”, 38% Shiraz, 26% Pinotage, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon & 17% Merlot, South Africa 2007

M’Hudi, Pinotage, Stellenbosch 2005

A sign-up sheet will be available at the front desk (253-5742 or 800-826-7000) and there will be a $15.00 fee per person.