Good intentions

As with all great intentions, writing this blog has become somewhat secondary to everything else that's going on at the Van Pepper HQ.

So, time for a quick update...

Van Pepper Wines has the great privilege of organising Lovane's Wine Trivia Evenings starting 25 April 2009. Our winemaker/ trivia-master is none other than Mr Sauvignon Blanc himself, Hermanuspieterfontein's Bartho Eksteen. To say that I'm excited about this event is the understatement of the year. Can't wait. Love Bartho, love his wife (who I was priviledge to have dinner with on a recent trip to the city of whales), and love love love his wine!
Die Martha 2005 will be paired on the evening with Gail Gous's cuisine. We still have places available, but book soon to avoid disappointment!


Women of Wines is doing so well. We're fully booked for the next event at Asara, no quicker than 24 hours after the invites were sent out! The women of wines were treating to a stunning night at Villiera, with Celesté and Marí spoiling us with culinary delights. We're looking forward to an extra-ordinary night at Asara on the 30th of April!!

I was also very fortunate to attend the Lagnes (improv comedy) and Gourmet Burger evening at Alto recently. The guys of Lagnes are a scream! Haven't laughed so much in ages. Got re-acquianted with an old friend of mine as well, she goes by the name of Rouge. And this foxy lady is a bargain at R55 a bottle!

Those of you who follow me on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/mariskaza) would know I declared my undying love to Rust & Vrede's restaurant a while ago. Christo and Nick treated us to an unforgettable evening. The food and wines were exquisite, and the company, as always, fa-bu-lous!. If you have something special to celebrate, do yourself a favour, do it in style, and do it at Rust & Vrede!

Events to look forward to this month:
- Jazz it up at Jordan
- Wines of Hermanus and the Overberg Region Wine Festival

Mariska's list of wines to buy for Autumn
- Kaapzicht Shiraz 2005
- Villiera Chenin Blanc 2007
- Asara Sauvignon Blanc 2008

VPW organises Wine Trivia Evenings at Lovane

Van Pepper Wines is organising the first Wine Trivia evening at Lovane Boutique Wine Estate on Saturday 25 April 2009 with Hermanuspietersfontein winemaker, Bartho Eksteen.

Lovane Boutique Hotel’s Wine Trivia Evening will test your knowledge about wine and provide the perfect opportunity to relax with friends and family. The guest winemaker will be the quizmaster for the evening and hand out prizes after each round. Guests will participate in teams of 6, but individual players are also welcome!
The cost of R175 includes a three-course meal, a glass of wine per course, entry fee for the trivia, and lots of prizes!

The Sage of Sauvignon Blanc, winemaker Bartho Eksteen from Hermanuspietersfontein Wynkelder , has been toiling in the cool climate Walker Bay winemaking region since 1993. Here he focuses passionately on further building on Sauvignon blanc’s reputation as the flagship South Africa varietal.

Wine Trivia evenings will take place at Lovane Boutique Wine Estate on the last Saturday of every month. Lovane is one of the smallest wine estates near Stellenbosch. The estate has a 4-star guest house, restaurant and conference facilities.

Van Pepper Wines is a wine marketing company that specializes in wine tastings, events and wine-based experiences.

Contact Mariska du Preez on 082 564 7714, mariska@vanpepper.com, or visit Van Pepper’s website: http://www.vanpepper.com


Event: Van Pepper Wine Trivia Evenings {Quizmaster: Bartho Eksteen HPF}
Venue: Lovane Boutique Wine Estate
Date: Saturday 25 April 2009 at 19h00
Cost: R175 per person
More information: Mariska du Preez 082 564 7714

Van Pepper Honey at Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market

Van Pepper Wines' honey will be on sale at the Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market on Saturday 7 March 2009!!

We are truly excited to have a stall at the market. Please come say hi to Mariska and Erina, and sample some of our delicious honey (made by happy bees!)

Products on offer:
* Orange Blossom Honey
* Fynbos Honey
* Honey with pistachio, cashew, macadamia, and pecan nuts (absolutely yummy!!)
* Honey colouring pictures for the kids!

Harvest Events to die for!

I recently received two invitations to Harvest Events that I'm quite excited about...
Beyerskloof's Port-trap event is taking place on 25 March 2009. Only 80 places available! Lovane's Voettrap Festival is taking place this coming Saturday, 28 March 2009. And another exciting event is Alto's Comedy and Burger Evening on 28 March 2009:


Don't miss out on these three awesome events!

GeekDinner at Lovane

The first ever Stellenbosch GeekDinner was hosted at Lovane last night. It was a great evening!
The food was excellent and the people great.

Pity I didn't get to sample more wines, as I only drank the Neethlingshof Sauvignon Blanc. Lovely crisp white with some acidity and lingering aftertaste of grass. The Lovane wines are excellent, by the way, as I have sampled them on numerous occasions in the past, and will do so in future as well! ;)

The rest of the crowd were treated to a cellar tour hosted by Philip Gouws, winemaker and owner of Lovane.

VAN PEPPER WINES wine tastings 2009

The Van Pepper team will delight your senses and create the perfect evening to treat your clients, colleagues or friends.

We supply the wine, glasses, tasting notes, eats and treats.

Van Pepper will make your wine evening a night to
remember!

For more information, contact us:
wines@vanpepper.com
082 564 7714

www.vanpepper.com

Mount Nelson fine dining: Waterford

The highlight of the evening was spending time with Christo and Nick and my other favourite couple, Christi and Jan.
In a close second: this fabulous wine:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Barbera
www.waterfordwines.co.za