Bellingham all the more reason to make a pit stop at Franschhoek Cellar

THERE ARE VERY FEW successful wines of the serious kind which don’t have a place to call home. Until recently, Bellingham was virtually such a brand – a lovely collection of wines in The Bernard Series and a few other ranges that also have interest value, but if you wanted to go for a tasting or purchase from the cellar door it was quite a mission, if not out of the question. The homestead of brand founder Bernard Podlashuk once welcomed visitors without the need for making an appointment, and subsequent to the establishment of the Douglas Green Bellingham group it would be understandable if you associated Bellingham with Boschendal, where Bellingham marketing and sales are managed, or DGB’s production facility in Wellington, where the final stages of Bellingham winemaking take place. Today, however, the place to head for is the Franschhoek Cellar near the entrance to the town.

Past a gazebo and across a tree-lined lawn, the old building has been renovated to house several tasting rooms where you can buy wines at cellar-door prices, including spaces showcasing good value offerings under the Franschhoek Cellar and Brampton labels (most recommended are the Franschhoek Vineyards Semillon and Shiraz, the Brampton Cab and Sauvignon Blanc). In addition, this is a good place for a casual lunch, snack or slice of cake – pairings including a wine and cheese tasting as well as a wine and chocolate tasting are also on the menu, and you can choose to eat indoors or outside under snazzy umbrellas.

How times have changed since the days of Bellingham Premier Grand Cru and Bellingham Johannisberger, a white quaffer in a quirky bottle designed along the lines of a mountain in the area and which now sells as Legacy Johannisberger. These days The Bernard Premium Lounge at Franschhoek Cellar commemorates the founders and serves as a tutored-tasting venue for wine lovers wanting to explore some stunners. The Podlashuks were among the pioneers of (single) varietal Shiraz in South Africa and of late the Basket Press Syrah and the Small Barrel SMV from Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Viognier have proved especially praiseworthy, with several vintages of the former among the country’s top-performing wines in 2015.

“Powerful and aromatic… assertive and yet delicate and refined,” says winemaker Neil Groenewald of the 2013 Syrah from fruit harvested in Agter-Paarl and the Bottelary area of Stellenbosch, fermented and matured in large 500-litre barrels. “Ample cracked black and white pepper spice, hints of rich dark chocolate…” It will continue to mature until well into the 20s, and is highly recommended as a partner for roast venison, fillet and rump steaks, or confit of duck.

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