Living in Cape Town, we are spoilt for choice with an abundance of wine estates and farms around the Western Cape. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting many in the past 15 years, and yet, barely scratched the surface. I’ve probably been to around 350 to 400 estates and there are literally hundreds more to discover! We tend to revisit places we really enjoy and return to them time and again. This is certainly true in my case. But it’s always fun to change things up now and then.
While most of the working world was stuck in traffic heading into town one Monday morning, I was going in the opposite direction. It was a glorious summer’s day as I drove through the picturesque Devon Valley that forms part of the beautiful Stellenbosch wine route. The roadworks along the way did nothing to dampen my spirits as I made my way to Louisvale Wines.
Upon arrival, you are met with 280-degree jaw-dropping views of the Stellenbosch mountains, all the way to the Helderberg mountains. Acres of vineyards stretch before you, their plump and juicy vines waiting to be harvested.
The lush, green gardens are very inviting, so feel free to take a wander around the grounds. I would recommend doing this prior to enjoying a wine tasting or alfresco lunch, as you’ll get a sense of old versus new with the two buildings adjacent to one another.
The 100-year old thatched Manor House can be seen to your right and nearby, the unique and magnificent new function venue.
The building is unlike any other you will see in the historic winelands area. Viewing it for the first time, it almost resembles an alien spaceship, at least as we humans think one may look like. The story behind the venue’s creation is quite fascinating and delves into the history of the area.
Mouton, the Venue Manager, gave Mackenzie and I an entertaining and interesting narrative of how this building was created. Be sure to look down at the polished concrete floor, infused with chips of Perlemoen shell. Read more about it here https://www.louisvale.com/vision/
The venue’s spacious modern interior is light and bright with a welcoming and relaxed ambiance. At first glance, you might find that the white space has quite a clinical look about it but take another look.
Vibrant couches create a perfect spot for wine tasting if it’s too hot outside, and splashes of colour can be seen throughout with the addition of paintings by local artists.
Nature is brought indoors with cleverly designed vertical room dividers filled with succulents that can be moved around as needed.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views, with one side containing uniquely shaped windows that overlook the vineyards and mountains in the distance. The overall design is very eye-catching, and their use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials and lighting options is highly commendable.
TIME TO TASTE!
Mouton suggested we taste a few of their wines prior to lunch, which we thought was an excellent idea. As one of the pioneers of Chardonnay in South Africa with a history dating back to the early 1900s, we were keen to try their chards. But first – champagne! Or Methodé Cap Classique (MCC) as it is known in South Africa. I firmly believe that one does not need a special occasion to enjoy a glass or two of bubbles – any day is a good day to sip on some sparkles!
They have two varietals – MCC Chardonnay Brut which is dry with zesty lemon and green apple fragrances and flavours. With lovely aromas of strawberries and cherries on the nose and flavours of fresh, crisp red berries, the MCC Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Rosé Brut stole the show. Then again, Rosé Brut is my favourite kind of MCC. These two MCCs form part of their Flagship Range, along with three Chardonnay wines.
Chardonnay 2017 is sure to please Chard lovers with its smooth and buttery palate and hints of lemon blossom, pineapple, apricot and toast. Chavant 2019 was delightful with hints of butterscotch and citrus and fresh citrus vanilla and white peach flavours. They also produce an Unwooded Chardonnay. As a predominantly red wine drinker, this was possibly my favourite of the three as it was unwooded and showed hints of lovely citrus tones and savoury nuttiness.
The Dominique 2016, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, was utterly delicious with its intense fruit aromas of blackcurrant and plum.
While not available for tasting, The Louisvale Five Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and The Boris showcased the elegant, modern new labels and bottles that Louisvale will be releasing soon.
The Stone Road Range consists of everyday, affordable easy-drinking wines and includes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.
LET’S DO LUNCH!
Kirstie du Toit, Executive Chef at Louisvale Wines, likes to keep things fresh and interesting by changing the menu on a monthly basis. Certain favourites make a comeback from time to time, but it’s good to know that you’ll always find something new on the menu, especially if you pop in regularly.
The menu offers a variety of light meals, starters and platters, mains and a few sweet treats, along with a limited number of vegetarian options. I like that the menu isn’t overwhelming with too many options. Even so, I had a tough time trying to decide what to choose!
I like to try new and interesting dishes when dining out, so I very nearly ordered the Chilled Baby Marrow Vichyssoise – a cold soup of Smoked Salmon Trout, Caviar, Red Onion, Yogurt and Dill. Mmm, maybe next time if it’s still on the menu.
In the end, Mackenzie and I both opted for the Grilled Watermelon Salad. Grilled watermelon? Yes, you read that right. It may sound unusual, but it tasted fresh and delicious with the addition of Bacon, Goats Cheese, Basil, Mint, Balsamic Reduction and Candied Pumpkin Seeds.
A winning combination in my opinion! We also tried the vegetarian Roast Beetroot Salad with Red Onion, Dill, Rocket, Goats Cheese, Capers, Mint and Mustard Dressing. Another big thumbs up from me.
When you must choose your main course and you’re like, “Can I have a little bit of everything please?” Choosing the main course proved to be somewhat of a challenge! Mostly offering various kinds of meat and poultry, you’ll also find a fish and vegetarian dish. I really enjoy venison meat, so the Dukkah Crusted Ostrich Steak was a clear front runner, until I saw Clam & Bacon Risotto. I’m a sucker for a rich and creamy risotto and I’d never had one with clams before, never mind clams AND bacon!
Mackenzie thoroughly enjoyed her Dukkah Crusted Ostrich Steak with Marrow Bone Herb Butter, Roast Butternut, Beetroot and Beans. My Clam & Bacon Risotto with Pea Puree, Peas, Chives, Crispy Onion, Mushrooms, Louisvale Chardonnay and Pecorino was just as appetising as it sounds, although I thought the clams were a tad on the small side and didn’t add much flavour to the dish.
Mackenzie’s Dark Chocolate Mousse with Ginger Jelly, Toasted Sesame Brittle and Orange won the dessert round. While I enjoyed the Lemon & Blue Berry Yogurt Terrine with White Chocolate, Pistachios and Mint, I found the terrine to be a bit too “icy” for my liking, but the flavour combination worked well.
THE VERDICT?
The Louisvale team strive to create a memorable experience, and they succeeded in doing that. People like Mouton play such a pivotal role in the wine tourism industry and can either make or break one’s experience at a wine estate, especially as a first-time visitor.
Made to feel welcome right from the start, we couldn’t get enough of the magnificent views and lush gardens. It’s interesting to see how they have combined both old and new, resulting in a stunning, modern function venue.
Overall, the food and wines are very good and cater to almost everyone’s tastes. The dishes are well thought out and presented with rustic flair. The service is exceptional and the setting is so relaxed, that you’ll find it hard to leave. I highly recommend you stop by for some wining and dining, the Chardonnay way. Or MCC. Or red wine. You see where I’m going here 😉
TIP: Many establishments are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Stellenbosch area, but Louisvale is open for business. Keep that in mind when you’re exploring this wonderful wine region.
Thank you, Mouton and Kirstie, for your gracious hospitality and a lovely experience. I look forward to returning to enjoy some more divine MCC, delicious food and breathtaking views.
Show Louisvale Wines some love by liking their Facebook page. For more information, visit their website.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please let me know in the comment section below. You can also hit the Like button and share it with your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter. Let’s connect on Instagram too.
Want to read more about my travel, food and wine adventures? Head on over to my website and subscribe for blog updates (no spamming, I promise).
Yours in Food, Wine & All Things Fine
xoxo
Disclaimer – I was invited to review Louisvale Wines by Wired Communications. All views and images are my own unless stated otherwise. Thanks to the lovely Mackenzie for taking some photos of me. 😊
