The Ultimate South African Wine Tour with Gerhard Perold
It’s no secret that South Africa’s natural beauty outranks most tourist destinations in the world. Not only is it a country of diverse beauty and friendly people, but it also happens to be a wine lover’s paradise. The Western Cape is the hub of the wine industry in South Africa. There are hundreds of wine farms and thousands of wine producers making use of the unique and diverse terroir. That’s we you would love this ultimate South African wine tour. Whether in person or virtually right here.
The Perold name is closely tied to South African agriculture since the early 1900s. Abraham Izak Perold (Gerhard’s great grandfather) brought 177 grape varieties into South Africa from his travels abroad. Under his supervision, the Department of Viticulture and Oenicology was also formed at Stellenbosch University. Subsequently, he became the first professor and later, in 1928, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. This was all besides brushing up the Cinsaut flower against the pollen donor of the Pinot Noir and creating the first Pinotage seedlings in 1924. The history of Pinotage is a fascinating story and one Gerhard loves sharing. This is why he is so excited about sharing this experience with you on this ultimate South African wine tour.
South African Wine
The first vineyard (that we know of) was planted in 1965 by Jan van Riebeeck, the first governor of the Cape. The first wine was produced on 2 February 1959. Things however improved a bit when van Riebeeck was succeeded by Simon van der Stel in 1967 who was both enthusiastic and more knowledgeable about viticulture and winemaking.
“Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes…”
Jan van Riebeeck’s famous diary entry of 02 February 1659
Once the French Huguenots arrived at the Cape things changed a bit. With them, they brought extensive knowledge of both viticulture and winemaking. It was in 1814 that the progenitor of the Perold name arrived in the Cape. Roland Perot was on board the British frigate Niger as a prisoner of war. He was from Pontriex, Cotes du Nord in France and settled in Stellenbosch.
Wineries in South Africa on the Ultimate South African wine tour
Gerhard’s passion for wine and the many stories surrounding his great grandfather are not only infectious, but it also creates an understanding of this beautiful country, its people and its wine. His connections to the winemakers and understanding of winemaking applications will make this a truly unique experience.
Day 1:
Arrival in Cape Town. You will be met at the airport by your guide. From the airport, you will already to your first tour of Cape Town city and the beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens. We will end the day with a Table Mountain Cable Car to the top of the mountain.
These are some of the wine farms Gerhard has chosen to include:
Day 2:
A unique family-owned vineyard on the slopes of Chapman’s Peak with a view of the Atlantic ocean only 1.2 km away. A world-class Sauvignon Blanc comes from these ancient mountain soils, touched by a gentle sea breeze.
Day 4:
KWV was established in 1918 and was the first producer of brandy in the Cape. In 1928 Abraham Izak Perold joined the KWV as the viticulturist and chief wine scientist.
You’ll get to meet the winemaking team and learn more about the story of Abraham Izak Perold and his work at KWV while tasting some of the amazing wines and brandies on offer.
Lunch at one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms. There is so much to explore on this amazing farm. The vegetable and herb gardens were inspired by the historic Company’s Gardens in Cape Town. There are restaurants, wine, olive oil, tea blending and much more.
Another important wine farm in the Pinotage story. Gerhard will share more about the connection between this farm and specifically Paul Sauer and the winemaker, Beyers Truter who put Pinotage on the world stage by winning the Robert Mondavi Trophy at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 1991 for his 1989 Kanonkop Pinotage. A 4th generation family-owned wine farm with lots to offer.
Day 5:
Full day Stellenbosch on foot tour – Foodies on Foot.
Day 6:
On our way out of Stellenbosch, we stop at this legendary wine farm. Home to the first bottled Pinotage, the SLanzeractellenbosch Farmers’ Winery (SFW) Lanzerac label in 1961, from the 1959 harvest.
This wonderful wine farm, just outside Franschhoek dates back to 1694 as it was part of La Provence, one of the first seven French Huguenot farms in Franschhoek. Abraham Izak Perold (1880 – 1941) was a fourth-generation descendant of Roland Perot of Bretagne, France, who arrived in the Cape in 1814 as a POW on the ‘Niger’.
Another unique wine farm is situated in the Franschoek valley. Although wines from this region are currently enjoying great success, this wasn’t always the case. Perhaps a little like Pinotage once compared to rusty nails. Franschoek is well-known for its natural beauty and its amazing food, but only recently has the myth that good wine can’t be grown in the Franschoek valley been losing traction. Each La Bri wine has its own Cape flower on the label, with the exception of the Syrah, which appropriately features herbs.
Shop for La Bri Wines in the UK
Day 7:
Franschoek wine tour on the wine tram.
Day 8 & 9:
Off to Shamwari Private game reserve for two nights of heavenly bliss. We’ll be staying in the Bayethe Lodge. A truly magical place.
Find out more about this once-in-a-lifetime experience, the ultimate South African Wine Tour with Gerhard Perold.
Get in touch if you are interested in a virtual tour of these wonderful wine farms and their amazing wines?
