Also, remember that our Spring Specials are also live! Just click on the pretty flower on the right here and see exactly what's on offer.

And as always - we love hearing from you, so if you have any feedback, please do send it to us. These newsletters is our way of communicating with you, but we don't like talking to ourselves!

Vallei-groete

Elizma

Fun for the whole family this weekend in McGregor and at The Robertson Small Hotel

McGregor will play host to a 3-day mountain bike challenge this weekend from 14-16 September. But before you think 'what about my family?' - there will be loads to keep them busy too! Activities for supporters and children include free wine tastings, a kiddies cycle race, puppet shows, live entertainment, farmers' market and potjiekos on Sunday. For more information visit www.ride2nowhere.co.za or email tours@cyclelab.com.

And if you're afraid you won't be able to keep up with the fit people, and would rather like to stretch your 'braai'-arm, join celbrity chef, Reuben Riffel and new executive chef, Tiaan van Greunen at Reuben's @ The Robertson Small Hotel on Saturday, 15 September for GRILLS GONE WILD!

At this fun, informativ and interactive event, you will learn the secrets of the pros and be well on your way to impress family and friends as the resident Tong Master. Learn how to cook over different types of fire. See how to create innovative recipes full of flavour and flair. Discover how to "think outside the bottle" and craft food, wine and unique beverage pairings that sizzle the senses!

The price of R450pp includes a 3 course 'braai' menu including a selection of beverages, beer and wine with each course. The festivities start at 12h00 and reservations are a must because of limited seating. Contact them on 023 626 7200.

KLINK! Cheers to the Robertson Wine Valley and to every who has or will vote!

'Klink' is the sound a glass makes as friends make toasts to a life lived better thanks to the carefully crafted joys of a wine discovered, a friendship renewed, a challenge overcome or a milestone met. It heralds refreshment, relaxation, relief and rejoicing and, for a short time at least, a reduction in the stresses that accompany 21st century life.

To pay tribute to the wine industry, a panel of seven people nominated wineries, eateries and other establishments to possibly walk away with one of 14 awards. The Robertson Wine Valley has been nominated for the Most Memorable Wine Route award, and the Wacky Wine Weekend was nominate for the Best Wine Route Event Award in the 'Crowd Pleaser' category. The only way we can win is if YOU (our loyal fans) vote for us! This can be done by visiting their website and voting via three different platforms - Twitter, Facebook or your email address. 

Golden moments for Bon Courage Estate

You may remember that in the previous newsletter we bragged with all the fantastic results of the wineries at our regional Young Wine Show. Well, it didn't end there - at the National Young Wine Show, Bon Courage also received a remarkable 6 class winners and 11 gold medals. Bon Courage also received the trophy for the Champion Natural Sweet Wine. Well done to the entire Bon Courage team!

On the left Pieter Bruwer, André Bruwer and Jacques Bruwer boasts with all their trophies they received at the regional Young Wine Show.

Wine on the River only 5 weeks away - book now to still make use of the Early Bird Special

Yes, our celebration of spring by means of an outdoor wine festival on the banks of the Breede River is around the corner. This event, that has been described as many peoples' favourite of all Robertson Wine Valley's festivals, will take place from 19-21 October on the Goudmyn Farm next to the R317, running between Robertson and Bonnievale. 

You will be able to taste more than 300 wines from more than 40 producers and enjoy a picnic while soaking up the sun and listening to the lovely sounds of blues and gypsy jazz. Tickets are already on sale through Webtickets  and will also be available at the gates on the day. The Early Bird Special will be running until 8 October, so don't hesitate - book now! For more information, visit the website, www.wineonriver.com and for options on accommodation, visit www.robertsonwinevalley.com. 

Plaaswerkers word vereer

Een van die hoogtepunte in die Robertson Wynvallei elke jaar is die Plaaswerker van die Jaar kompetisie. Vanjaar het die prysoorhandiging op 30 Augustus plaasgevind by 'n glansgeleentheid wat ook deur die Weskaapse Minister van Landbou, Mnr Gerhard van Rensburg en Langeberg se Uitvoerende Burgermeester, Mev Diana Gagiano bygewoon is.

Al die deelnemers het eers sertifikate ontvang, waarna die top 3 van elke kategorie aangekondig is. Die hoogtepunt van die aand was natuurlik toe die algehele Plaaswerker van die Jaar aangekondig is, en vanjaar het hierdie toekenning aan Chrisjan Williams van De Goree Farming gegaan. Chrisjan het 'n wonderlike inspirerende toespraak gelewer en ons is trots om te sê 'dis ons Vallei se mense'.

V.l.n.r: Vincent Viljoen (Excelsior Landgoed), Chrisjan Williams (De Goree Farming), Willem Geduld (Silver Oaks), Edwin Mathambo (Bonnievale Kelder), Anna Oerson (Jan Harmsgat Gastehuis) en Jan Blaauw (Weltevrede Wynlandgoed)

Bonnievale Kelder se personeel het veral uitmuntend gevaar met nie net Edwin Mathambo wat die kategoriewenner vir 'Junior Bestuur' was nie, maar Fatyi en Sheran het ook onderskeidelik derde- en tweedeplek in die kategorieë 'Tegniese Operateur' en 'Algemene Werker' behaal het. Bonnievale Kelder het ook saam met Highlands Stud die Terason wisseltrofee gewen. Hierdie trofee word jaarliks toegeken aan die instansie wie se werkers die beste gevaar het. Welgedaan!

Rietvallei Estate invites you to become part of their wine club

Rietvallei invites you to become part of their wine club and enjoy tremendous value. There are two options available - to buy either a 6 bottle case for R500 (value R575) or to buy the 12-bottle case for R950 (value R1 093). This will automatically give you the following perks and more:

- Free delivery anywhere in SA
- Discount on wine sales at the cellar door
- Birthday voucher
- Quarterly newsletter
- One free passport to the Wacky Wine Weekend

For more information visit their website or phone them on 023 626 3596. 

Roodezandt se Gerrie Grootboom leer en werk in Frankryk

Gerrie Grootboom, wat al 14 jaar by Roodezandt werk en hul senior kelderassistent is, is vanjaar gekies as een van die 3 finaliste vir die SA Kelderwerker van die Jaar, wat ook vir hom die geleentheid gegee het, om vanaf 9 September as deel van die uitruilskema vir 5 weke in Frankryk te gaan werk en studeer. Gerrie het verduidelik dat hy reeds vanaf 2007 by die Kelderwerker Studiegroep van Charl Theron betrokke is en dat slegs lede van hierdie Studiegroep mag inskryf vir SA Kelderwerker van die jaar. Hy sê ook dat alles nie net gebeur het nie en dat hy verskeie kursusse moes voltooi en dit harde werk kos. "Harde werk het nog niemand doodgemaak nie en vandag pluk ek die vrugte van daardie harde werk."

Ons is ontsettend trots op jou Gerrie en glo dat jy met NOG meer kennis sal terugkeer vanaf Frankryk.

Goedverwacht Estate's wines awarded

Goedverwacht's 2012 Merlot has been awarded a gold medal at the 2012 Young Wine Show. The wine impressed the judges with its stunning aromatic melange of red berries and dark chocolate on the nose, ripe, juicy mouth-feel and soft tannins. Being only one of 5 wines to achieve the gold medal in this category in the country, and the fact that this wine was used in the first bottling of 2012 Crane Red Merlot, shows their commitment to quality.

And it doesn't end there! Goedverwacht was also chosen as one of the top 5 wineries in the 2013 Best Value Guide! This was decided because of their two Value Award winning wines, the Crane White Chardonnay as well as the Crane Red Merlot (both scoring full marks on the value scale) AND a further 3 wines featured in the Guide - Crane White Sauvignon Blanc, Great Expectations Chardonnay and Crane Rosé Brut Sparkling.

Well done to everyone at Goedverwacht!

Like Viljoensdrift Fine Wines & River Cruises on Facebook and WIN

Viljoensdrift invites you to like them on Facebook and stand a chance to win a boat cruise for 30 people as well as 3 cases of wine.

All you have to do is like them, send the word 'Private' to them in a message, and that's it! Except if you still want to cross your fingers in the hope to win...

And to end off... even MORE activities and festivities!!

Don't miss the first ever Montagu Makiti taking place, a Family Heritage Festival. How does it work? You will buy a can for R70, of which the proceeds go to various service organisations and charities in the Langeberg area. In this can you will find various vouchers (including one to give you 50% off a Sunday ticket to the Wine on the River) as well as a Makiti-banner, which you can wear to take part in the various activities over the weekend of 21-24 September. For more info, visit www.montagumakiti.co.za. 

And lastly, but definitely not the least... Have you ever skydived? Not? Still waiting for a good enough reason? Well now you have it. The National Skydive for Rhinos campaign aims to raise R10 million for rhino anti-poaching initiatives. The tour began in July already in Rustenburg, and in August they were in KwaZulu Natal. They've also been to Port Elizabeth the first weekend of September and from 21-23 September they will be in ROBERTSON! If you want to donate to this worthy cause or jump yourself, visit www.skydive4rhinos.org. This will be a lifechanging event...

O wait, there's even more! It was just announced this week that Kfm 94.5 will be camping in Robertson from 30 November till 2 December at the Skurwekop Camping grounds and promised to bring some live entertainment with. So if you're up for it, visit their website to book, only 50 stands available!

Call us on (023) 626 3167 or email manager@robertsonwinevalley.com