The Month's technology partner, Winelands IT, is offering Internet users in the Franschhoek Valley an opportunity to purchase bandwidth at an unbelievable flat-rate of R75 per GB and is applicable to top-ups as well, for a limited time only.
STOP PRESS
Swallows: Get ADSL for R50 per GB per month - no need to pay Telkom or MWeb-rates when you're only in town for a few months a year.
Contact support@winelandsit.co.za for more information.
Oct 28, 2009
Oct 9, 2009
Franschhoek Uncorked Festival Programme
The official Franschhoek Uncorked Festival Programme is here: http://www.generator.co.za/FHoek_Uncorked_programme_2009.pdf
cosecha Cuisine
Noble Hill is a boutique vineyard and winery tucked between Kanonkop and Paarl Mountain, just off the R45 Klapmuts Road close to Franschhoek. The winery has made a name for itself under the strong leadership of the Tillery family, son Kristopher Austin in particular. A tech-savvy professional, Kris recently launched the first ever Twitter-enabled stand at WineX in Cape Town and is already reaping the rewards of Nobel Hill’s social networking activities. The Month visited the winery for a different kind of social recently, as lunch-time visitors to cosecha, their Spanish- themed restaurant.
According to the menu, cosecha is a Spanish word for ‘harvest’ and reflects the restaurant’s location next to the harvest area where grapes are sorted and crushed. The Spanish theme exists to express the family’s desire to "bring the farm-fresh, Latin flavours of [their] South Western roots to Cape Town." The décor, while too new to display patina, is unpretentious and authentically Spanish. Time, rust and a little moss will no doubt whisk visitors into a different world in the not-too-distant future.
We enjoyed Beef Enchiladas (R75) and Tiger Prawn Taquitos (R48) with a glass of Shiraz Mourvèdre and a ’09 Sauvignon Blanc respectively. The shredded beef fillet, served in corn tortillas with enchilada sauce, rice and beans was delicious. The portion was substantial. The prawn dish looked particularly appetising, served in flour tortillas with a fresh salsa and guacamole. The chilli, lime and coriander in the dish add zing but should be mild enough for delicate palates. Both wines are good. The Sauvignon is herbaceous (and was highly rated in the August edition of The Month) and the Mourvèdre is smooth and gets better as it stands in the glass.
The Month will return to try a cosecha picnic in the summer (they’re already available). The Vineyard Basket includes meat, cheese, salmon, a chicken and Peppadew salad, pasta and seasonal salads, olives, bread and dessert! For a Mediterranean twist, try the Garden Basket which sacrifices the meat and fish for a mezze platter with hummus, couscous, pesto dip, spanakopitas and seasonal veg. Order a bottle of wine from the farm and the meal is complete. Surprisingly everything is served on proper dinnerware and includes the cutlery you’d find on the cosecha table. No plastic. Baskets for two are R218 and for four expect to pay R392. Kids’ meals are R45. The fabulous surroundings, with the lovely view and a dam that allows fishing, make this is a picnic spot with few rivals.
Contact cosecha on 021 874 3844
According to the menu, cosecha is a Spanish word for ‘harvest’ and reflects the restaurant’s location next to the harvest area where grapes are sorted and crushed. The Spanish theme exists to express the family’s desire to "bring the farm-fresh, Latin flavours of [their] South Western roots to Cape Town." The décor, while too new to display patina, is unpretentious and authentically Spanish. Time, rust and a little moss will no doubt whisk visitors into a different world in the not-too-distant future.
We enjoyed Beef Enchiladas (R75) and Tiger Prawn Taquitos (R48) with a glass of Shiraz Mourvèdre and a ’09 Sauvignon Blanc respectively. The shredded beef fillet, served in corn tortillas with enchilada sauce, rice and beans was delicious. The portion was substantial. The prawn dish looked particularly appetising, served in flour tortillas with a fresh salsa and guacamole. The chilli, lime and coriander in the dish add zing but should be mild enough for delicate palates. Both wines are good. The Sauvignon is herbaceous (and was highly rated in the August edition of The Month) and the Mourvèdre is smooth and gets better as it stands in the glass.
The Month will return to try a cosecha picnic in the summer (they’re already available). The Vineyard Basket includes meat, cheese, salmon, a chicken and Peppadew salad, pasta and seasonal salads, olives, bread and dessert! For a Mediterranean twist, try the Garden Basket which sacrifices the meat and fish for a mezze platter with hummus, couscous, pesto dip, spanakopitas and seasonal veg. Order a bottle of wine from the farm and the meal is complete. Surprisingly everything is served on proper dinnerware and includes the cutlery you’d find on the cosecha table. No plastic. Baskets for two are R218 and for four expect to pay R392. Kids’ meals are R45. The fabulous surroundings, with the lovely view and a dam that allows fishing, make this is a picnic spot with few rivals.
Contact cosecha on 021 874 3844
Franschhoek's Hot Chilli Sauce & Roasted Chilli Jam
Next time you drive on the Simondium/Klapmuts road, stop at "THE JAM JAR". An absolute feast of all sorts of preserves; jams, syrups, fruit, sauces and more, all handmade by Jill. It is difficult to name the best product, but two are outstanding.
Hot chilli sauce (the search for the perfect chilli sauce might be over) - it is a very hot, pourable, not sweet but sharp, chilli sauce. This is a man’s sauce and will spice up any meal.
Roasted chilli jam – scoopable, with a delicate sweet flavour of roasted red peppers and chilli. Wonderful to eat with cheese, cold meats, or just on hot buttered toast.
Available from:
The Jam Jar
Tel: 021 874 1637
Hot chilli sauce: R19.50
Roasted chilli jam: R24.00
ASTAR Art in Franschhoek with Ashleigh
Ashleigh Temple-Camp, who has just completed the ASTAR Art Teacher Course, is launching a ‘Creative Beginnings’ course this October, designed to open the door to the creative spirit. The course will be presented at the Artemis Barn, belonging to artists Andrea Desmond-Smith and Kobus Stander, and is suitable for beginners and advanced participants.
ASTARis a non-judgmental approach to art-making in which the creative process is the focus, rather than the art products. There are no planned outcomes or expectations. Participants are encouraged to work spontaneously and to trust their creative process. They are invited to express themselves honestly and to honour all that is made with acceptance.
At the start of each session, the facilitator guides the group through an inspiration process. This creates a focus for the art-making activity. These processes are designed to bypass the critical, controlling mind so that participants are able to let go of fear and surrender to the creative process. "This has been an absolute awakening. Ifeel alive like never before," said a student of the process.
Course designer, Lindy Solomon says "There are great healing benefits when you express yourself creatively in a safe, non-judgmental space. At the heart of the ASTARpractice, is self-acceptance which is a fundamental key to healing. Rediscovering and honouring your creative self is essential in the journey towards wholeness. Creative expression awakens the life-force within and enlivens us. The art-making process is often relaxing and restorative as it engages the ‘don’t think’ mind and encourages playfulness. Learning to trust the process and find intuitive solutions in art-making encourages the same attitude in life."
Ashleigh is further offering a variety of children’s art and craft classes in the school holidays and next year plans to run a colour energy course once a week for eight weeks. Contact Ashleigh on 083 2085608 or email temple-camp@vodamail.co.za.
ASTARis a non-judgmental approach to art-making in which the creative process is the focus, rather than the art products. There are no planned outcomes or expectations. Participants are encouraged to work spontaneously and to trust their creative process. They are invited to express themselves honestly and to honour all that is made with acceptance.
At the start of each session, the facilitator guides the group through an inspiration process. This creates a focus for the art-making activity. These processes are designed to bypass the critical, controlling mind so that participants are able to let go of fear and surrender to the creative process. "This has been an absolute awakening. Ifeel alive like never before," said a student of the process.
Course designer, Lindy Solomon says "There are great healing benefits when you express yourself creatively in a safe, non-judgmental space. At the heart of the ASTARpractice, is self-acceptance which is a fundamental key to healing. Rediscovering and honouring your creative self is essential in the journey towards wholeness. Creative expression awakens the life-force within and enlivens us. The art-making process is often relaxing and restorative as it engages the ‘don’t think’ mind and encourages playfulness. Learning to trust the process and find intuitive solutions in art-making encourages the same attitude in life."
Ashleigh is further offering a variety of children’s art and craft classes in the school holidays and next year plans to run a colour energy course once a week for eight weeks. Contact Ashleigh on 083 2085608 or email temple-camp@vodamail.co.za.
Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival, 24 & 25 Oct 09
Franschhoek’s famous Open Gardens Festival will take place from the 24th to the 25th October 2009. Ten spectacular gardens will be on show and visitors will pay only R100 for a Weekend Pass. This year will be quite different from anything seen to date as the town centre will host a Fresh Goods Market; music for all to enjoy; plant sales and the presence of a number of gardening experts including the legendary Keith Kirsten. The Lions Club of Franschhoek will man a ‘garden’ of their own with tea, bubbly, wine and food on offer. There will be Tussy Mussy workshops on Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 at R20 per person.
The Open Gardens include:
La Rive a "Stunning English country garden filled with swathes of soft pinks, blues and whites."
Andy Higgins’ La Providence which is a "large landscaped garden with massed rose beds and beautiful water features."
Aliki Starke’smedium sized "town garden, strikingly laid out with mixed flower beds, boxed areas and secret corners."
Carl and Sonia Atkinson’slarge garden "shaded by huge old oaks; lovely herbaceous borders, interesting pond and unusual plantings."
Die Eike, home of Rene and Piet van der Westhuyzen. This is a "new farm garden with wide expanses of lawn, rose garden, special features and beautiful mixed borders."
Hennie de Necker’sformal town garden "full of colour and interesting plantings; it is hard to believe the garden is only one year old."
Fay Bentley’ssmall garden, regarded as "a jewel; an example of mixed plantings complimenting each other."
Sabine Bosman’s Klein Champagne. The park-like garden is large and includes "shaded river frontage, meandering paths and a lily covered lake."
Kleinhof belonging to Jacques Botha. This is a "very different garden. Expect old trees, arbours and thousands of bulb plantings but no lawn."
The Cottage Garden. "Atamed old garden surrounding an historic cottage, quaint and pretty with old almond and pomegranate trees.
Talks in the Franschhoek High school hall include: Keith Kirsten (10:30 Saturday and Sunday; R60); Marie Fazard of Ludwig’s Roses (14:30 Saturday; R30) and Bridget Kitley, who will speak about herbs (14:30 Sunday; R30).
Buy your tickets online at www.webtickets.co.za or in Franschhoek on the day.
The Open Gardens include:
La Rive a "Stunning English country garden filled with swathes of soft pinks, blues and whites."
Andy Higgins’ La Providence which is a "large landscaped garden with massed rose beds and beautiful water features."
Aliki Starke’smedium sized "town garden, strikingly laid out with mixed flower beds, boxed areas and secret corners."
Carl and Sonia Atkinson’slarge garden "shaded by huge old oaks; lovely herbaceous borders, interesting pond and unusual plantings."
Die Eike, home of Rene and Piet van der Westhuyzen. This is a "new farm garden with wide expanses of lawn, rose garden, special features and beautiful mixed borders."
Hennie de Necker’sformal town garden "full of colour and interesting plantings; it is hard to believe the garden is only one year old."
Fay Bentley’ssmall garden, regarded as "a jewel; an example of mixed plantings complimenting each other."
Sabine Bosman’s Klein Champagne. The park-like garden is large and includes "shaded river frontage, meandering paths and a lily covered lake."
Kleinhof belonging to Jacques Botha. This is a "very different garden. Expect old trees, arbours and thousands of bulb plantings but no lawn."
The Cottage Garden. "Atamed old garden surrounding an historic cottage, quaint and pretty with old almond and pomegranate trees.
Talks in the Franschhoek High school hall include: Keith Kirsten (10:30 Saturday and Sunday; R60); Marie Fazard of Ludwig’s Roses (14:30 Saturday; R30) and Bridget Kitley, who will speak about herbs (14:30 Sunday; R30).
Buy your tickets online at www.webtickets.co.za or in Franschhoek on the day.
Franschhoek Uncorked, 10 and 11 October 2009
Get ready for the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival on the 10th and 11th of October 2009 from 9AMto 5PM. In celebration of spring, local Franschhoek wineries, both big and small, will showcase their new releases on that weekend.
Most Franschhoek’s wineries participate in this festival and vineyard tours, barrel-tastings, a micro-brewery tasting, delicious food and wine pairings, art exhibitions, fresh goods markets and a fynbos trail all form part of the festival. Live music performances, with something to suit everyone, will also be on offer. Children are welcome and a number of kids’ activities will be on offer.
Buy a "Festival Passport" for R60 and enjoy free wine tasting at participating wineries for the duration of the festival. Afree shuttle service will ensure that passport holders get to and from the wineries without effort. Some of the showcased wineries include Dieu Donne, Franschhoek Vineyards, Glenwood, Graham Beck Wines, Grande Provence Estate, La Motte, La Petite Ferme, L’Ormarins (Anton Rupert Wines) , Môreson, Plaisir de Merle, Rickety Bridge Winery, and Vrede en Lust.
Passports are available at Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourist Association; any participating wineries or online at www.webtickets.org.za
Most Franschhoek’s wineries participate in this festival and vineyard tours, barrel-tastings, a micro-brewery tasting, delicious food and wine pairings, art exhibitions, fresh goods markets and a fynbos trail all form part of the festival. Live music performances, with something to suit everyone, will also be on offer. Children are welcome and a number of kids’ activities will be on offer.
Buy a "Festival Passport" for R60 and enjoy free wine tasting at participating wineries for the duration of the festival. Afree shuttle service will ensure that passport holders get to and from the wineries without effort. Some of the showcased wineries include Dieu Donne, Franschhoek Vineyards, Glenwood, Graham Beck Wines, Grande Provence Estate, La Motte, La Petite Ferme, L’Ormarins (Anton Rupert Wines) , Môreson, Plaisir de Merle, Rickety Bridge Winery, and Vrede en Lust.
Passports are available at Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourist Association; any participating wineries or online at www.webtickets.org.za
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