Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Monday, November 07, 2011
Warwick's Norma Ratcliffe presenting Warwick wines in Lyon on a 5 day French road show
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| Warwicks Norma Ratcliffe presenting Warwick wines in Lyon on a 5 day French road show |
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Grapes, Gourmet and Gallery Evening with Warwick Wine Estate
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Monday, October 17, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Platter 5 Stars for Warwick Cabernet Franc
We have again had our Cabernet Franc recognised amongst the greatest icon wines in South Africa. This time it is five stars from the influential Platter guide. The John Platter Wine guide, now in it's 2012 edition continues to be the most influential and globally relevant wine guide of South African wines.
Warwick was one of the first handful of wineries to plant Cabernet Franc in South Africa and was the first ever winery to release single varietal Cabernet Franc in 1986. "Cabernet Franc is my baby - it has always just worked at Warwick" says winemaker and family matriarch Norma Ratcliffe.
Warwick Cabernet Franc is available in limited quantities on the best wine lists in the world. It is also available exclusively through the Warwick 'Wine Family' wine club - Join now
Click here for more information on this wine
Click here to find a stockist in your country.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Book the ultimate Winelands experience today, time is running out!
The ultimate Winelands experience. Pay R199 for a gourmet picnic, wine tasting and Big 5 wine Safari for two at the idyllic Warwick Wine Estate worth R449
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Friday, August 05, 2011
Warwick Estate’s Big Five Vineyard Safari
By: Lucy Corne
August 5th, 2011
There are two main advantages that Warwick Estate’s Big Five Safari has over other Big Five game drives. The first, of course, is wine. The second is that you’ll never leave disappointed – you’re guaranteed sightings of each one of the Big Five in question, for we are not talking wildlife here. Warwick’s Big Five is comprised of the quintet of South African wine giants – Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Authentic safari vehicles take you deep into the vineyards, en route they liken each of the five grapes to one of the real Big Five. If, like me, you like to play guessing games and fancy trying to work out which grape reflects which animal, you might like to place you bets before you read on – consider this a spoiler alert.
We climbed into the truck feeling a little sad that we weren’t actually going game spotting, but any disappointment was washed away at our first stop with a post-breakfast glass of the sublime Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoying the signature winelands view of endless mountains and unrivalled beauty, we sipped and learned why this is the rhino of the wine Big Five. This was the most tenuous comparison – there being more to both than meets the eye – but others are really rather clever.
Cab Sauv, the king of the wine industry, can only be the lion; Pinotage, like the buffalo, stands its ground (when blended with a Cab Sauv. N.B. blending a buffalo and a lion is not recommended); Cab Franc is the elephant of grapes, with its thick skin and resilience to pests, while Merlot, like the leopard, presents a challenge. Just as you don’t always get a glimpse of the latter on a game drive, you don’t always get a good glass of the former in South Africa.
Warwick’s tour is quirky and fun, but more than that it offers real insight into the grape growing process, something often overlooking on winery tours. If you’ve ever wanted to learn to identify a grape from its leaves, know which variety craves cooler weather or why French oak is favoured over South African oak then this is your tour. And even if those things aren’t near the top of your must-learn list, the Big Five Wine Safari is a great way to spend an hour – sipping Sauvignon Blanc alongside the vines that produced it and following up with a tasting of Warwick’s excellent vintages back at the winery. I might have failed to rise to the challenge of identifying the grape from looking at the vine; I might have failed to match the grapes to their animal counterparts but I fared well at working my way through their tasting menu and succeeded at sipping from the famous wedding cup without spilling a drop. It seems I know where my strengths truly lie.
Warwick’s Big Five Wine Safari costs R50 per person, leaving every hour from 11am to 4pm. Bookings recommended. Tastings cost R25 per person and gourmet picnics are available to enjoy in the grounds.
Contact Warwick Estate
Tel 021-884 -144
Email visit@warwickwine.com
There are two main advantages that Warwick Estate’s Big Five Safari has over other Big Five game drives. The first, of course, is wine. The second is that you’ll never leave disappointed – you’re guaranteed sightings of each one of the Big Five in question, for we are not talking wildlife here. Warwick’s Big Five is comprised of the quintet of South African wine giants – Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Authentic safari vehicles take you deep into the vineyards, en route they liken each of the five grapes to one of the real Big Five. If, like me, you like to play guessing games and fancy trying to work out which grape reflects which animal, you might like to place you bets before you read on – consider this a spoiler alert.
We climbed into the truck feeling a little sad that we weren’t actually going game spotting, but any disappointment was washed away at our first stop with a post-breakfast glass of the sublime Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoying the signature winelands view of endless mountains and unrivalled beauty, we sipped and learned why this is the rhino of the wine Big Five. This was the most tenuous comparison – there being more to both than meets the eye – but others are really rather clever.
Cab Sauv, the king of the wine industry, can only be the lion; Pinotage, like the buffalo, stands its ground (when blended with a Cab Sauv. N.B. blending a buffalo and a lion is not recommended); Cab Franc is the elephant of grapes, with its thick skin and resilience to pests, while Merlot, like the leopard, presents a challenge. Just as you don’t always get a glimpse of the latter on a game drive, you don’t always get a good glass of the former in South Africa.
Warwick’s tour is quirky and fun, but more than that it offers real insight into the grape growing process, something often overlooking on winery tours. If you’ve ever wanted to learn to identify a grape from its leaves, know which variety craves cooler weather or why French oak is favoured over South African oak then this is your tour. And even if those things aren’t near the top of your must-learn list, the Big Five Wine Safari is a great way to spend an hour – sipping Sauvignon Blanc alongside the vines that produced it and following up with a tasting of Warwick’s excellent vintages back at the winery. I might have failed to rise to the challenge of identifying the grape from looking at the vine; I might have failed to match the grapes to their animal counterparts but I fared well at working my way through their tasting menu and succeeded at sipping from the famous wedding cup without spilling a drop. It seems I know where my strengths truly lie.
Warwick’s Big Five Wine Safari costs R50 per person, leaving every hour from 11am to 4pm. Bookings recommended. Tastings cost R25 per person and gourmet picnics are available to enjoy in the grounds.
Contact Warwick Estate
Tel 021-884 -144
Email visit@warwickwine.com
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Press release from the Jan Kriel Wine Auction in London - Mike Ratcliffe was the auctioneer
The 13th Annual London SA Wine Auction, in aid of Jan Kriel School took place on Thursday, 19 May at the Plaisterer’s Hall, London. More than £35,000 (Thirty Five Thousand Pounds) was raised for the learners of Jan Kriel School; a school for children with learning disabilities.
The Jan Kriel London Wine Auction was established in 1998 as a brainchild of Dave Hughes to create not only awareness of the top South African Wines, but also to raise much needed funds for Jan Kriel School. Throughout the years the auction grew and the name was changed.
The 2011 London SA Wine Auction included accommodation packages on wine estates, internationally award winning wines and rare collectors’ items. More than 40 wine estates were represented at this gala charity dinner and auction. Mike Ratcliffe (Warwick Wine and Vilafonte) acted as auctioneer and the presence of Johann Krige (Kanonkop), Duncan Spence (Rickety Bridge) and Chris Edge (Cape Legends), to mention but a few, contributed to the success of the event. The Warwick and Vilafonte lots raised the highest bids of around
£
4000 - a new record. 
Jan Kriel School (est. 1937) empowers and educates learners with epilepsy, dyslexia, medical, neurological or emotional conditions
which make it impossible for them to attend mainstream schools. This year 550 learners enrolled and the Head Boy, Mathew Hardie and Head Girl, Lize Loubser represented their school in London, at the event.
The 14th Annual London SA Wine Auction will coincide with Jan Kriel School’s 75th Birthday celebration in 2012. The auction will take place on Thursday, 24 May 2012.
Johann Krige (Kanonkop Estate) congratulates successful bidder, Julia Hands on her 9ℓ Kanonkop Pinotage, 2009 that was auctioned for £1,600.00. Johann opened a 1.5ℓ Kanonkop Pinotage, 2009 at her table to enjoy during the evening.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Preparations to host SACCI event for 300 people well underway....
Marquee setup by Downings Supplies
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Food & Wine Extravaganza with the Ratcliffe Family
2 Nights only - Don't miss out - Book now!
Email: visit@warwickwine.com or call 021 8844410
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