Vineyard Hopping...and Lessons Learned...

Today we decided to venture out of Cape Town proper and into the countryside. In addition to feeling like we needed to see another side of Cape Town, we had also heard that there were some pretty fantastic vineyards to be discovered. So - with that mission in mind - off we went.

Just about a 45 minute drive outside Cape Town took us to the beginning of the Cape vineyards, where cultivation of grapes dates back to the 1600s. Today this is the largest winemaking region in South Africa. Wine tourism has become a big business here and it is evident when you drive through the small towns of these regions and see the throngs of people enjoying all there is to offer (mostly...wine). Estates are expansive and more wineries have begun to offer overnight accommodations, fine dining, casual bistros, gourmet wine pairings and elaborate tastings. In fact, we even saw a few weddings popping up on our vineyard visits today. 

We worked our way through a region called Stellenbosch, known for its wide variety of vineyards and fantastic wines. Our first stop was at Spier Wine Farm, an expansive stretch of land with beautiful and lush grounds that make you feel like you could walk around all day long and still not see all that the estate has to offer. But - you wouldn't do that - because there is too much good wine to pay attention to. Their history dates back to 1692 and were one of the very first Wine Farms to be established in Stellenbosch. After more than three centuries, Spier is still family run. It’s owned and managed by the Enthoven family who bought the farm in 1993. It is evident from all areas of the property that they take great pride in what they do...and live it and breathe it every day. Every inch is a gorgeous environmental masterpiece. And...they have really good wine to boot.

Our second stop took us to Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery. Vredenheim also has a rich and vibrant history that stretches all the way back to 1625, the year in which the farm’s original owner was born. Perhaps my favorite "fun fact"about this vineyard is that their owner, Elzabé Bezuidenhout, was the first female winemaker in the Stellenbosch Wine Route, producing her first wine in 1987. It is considered a small vineyard for winemaking, but the property is quite large and even includes a Big Cats Park, where you can come face to face with Brown and White Lions, Tigers and more. In fact, the drive into this vineyard was the first time I saw any sign of "wildlife" since I arrived in Cape Town: Zebras. About 10 of them. Just wandering around, eating grass. At home, it would be a horse...and I would point at it and say "Look boys...a horse"...and they would ignore me. Something tells me if its was a Zebra, it would be a totally different reaction.

Our last, and perhaps most favorite vineyard visit was to the Graff Estate and Winery. Although the natural inclination would be to associate the Graff name with beautiful diamonds, they also own and operate one of the most exquisite pieces of property I have ever set foot on. It is widely referred to as "The Jewel of the Cape Winelands" and it could not be more accurate. The irony about this particular stop is that we did not drink a single drop of wine. It was about so much more than that. The property. The views that literally stopped you dead in your tracks. The incredible art and sculpture collection, which I am told comes from the personal collection of Laurence Graff himself.  All of it makes you forget that it is even a vineyard. The experience is overwhelming in the best possible way.

My Dad is an artist, as is my brother. They are talented in ways that I will forever be in awe of. I aspire to be artistically inclined but - the truth of the matter is - I couldn't even do a stick figure proper justice. With that said, I absolutely love art and sculpture and this collection inside of the Graff Estate was beyond impressive. Not just the actual art itself, but the placement of each and every piece was so thoughtful. So careful. So perfect. 

As much as we loved the experience of this beautiful wine country, I think my Dad and I would both agree that what our driver Themba had in store for us on the way back to Cape Town was the most impactful moment of the day...and may end up being our best teaching moment of our entire three day visit here in Cape Town. We were driving down a small little road seemingly in the middle of nowhere when Themba took an abrupt left turn, stopped and put the car in park. I realized that we were now sitting at the entrance of the Drakenstein Correctional Center. When we stepped out of the car, we noticed a large and beautiful sculpture of Nelson Mandela. It was only then that I realized this was the place where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his imprisonment for campaigning against apartheid. This was where he experienced his freedom for the first time in over 27 years of imprisonment. 

After taking our picture at the statue, we stopped and took a moment to read the quote at the foot of the statue:

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but live in a way that respects and enhances the freedoms of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning. I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter. I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest. To steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me. To look back on the distance I have come. But I can't rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended."