• Home
  • Food
    • Food
    • Healthy Eating
      • Healthy Recipes
    • Recipes
    • Restaurant Reviews
  • Wine
    • Wine Farms
    • Wine Tasting
    • Wine Reviews
  • Travel
    • Accommodation
    • Cape Town Hotels
    • Child Friendly Travel
    • Hotels
    • International
    • Romantic Getaways
  • Lifestyle
    • Decor
      • Design & Decor
      • Inspiration
    • Fashion
    • Health & Fitness
      • Fitness
      • Healthy Eating
      • Healthy Living
    • Reviews and Features
      • Car Reviews
      • Product Reviews
      • Video Reviews
  • Online Decor Shop
    • Cart
    • Shop
      • Baskets
      • Candles
      • Crockery
      • My account
  • About
  • Contact
    • Advertise or Work With Inspired Living SA
    • Rate Card and Media Kit
  • Photography Portfolio
    • Photography & Styling – Food and Wine

Inspired Living SA

Top South African Lifestyle Blog

You are here: Home / Archives for Lifestyle / Wine Farms

Be Inspired, Lifestyle, Wine Farms

Rhino Tears Wine

Rhino Tears Wine

Rhino Tears Wine

I don’t often post press releases but I thought that this one is definitely worth a mention. Firstly because it is for a very good cause and secondly it is about wine – one of my other favourite topics!

Rhino Tears

 

I recently received two bottles of the Rhino Tears Wine to try. I decided to take the bottles along with us over the Easter weekend, to enjoy while we were away.

Rhino Tears Wine, which launched at the end of 2014, has already raised over R100 000, to be used in the war against rhino poaching, within South Africa’s national parks. The Rhino Tears range of wines, from the Mt Vernon estate in Cape Town, donates proceeds from every bottle sold to Unite Against Poaching, and after selling 8852 bottles since its launch in October 2014, has now contributed the substantial amount to the cause.

The idea for Rhino Tears wine came about when Mt Vernon MD, John Hooper, met with John Turner, Chairman of the SANParks Honorary Rangers Conservation Services Unit, as well as Andre Nel, owner of The Hat & Creek restaurants in Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa. After spending a couple of days with the field rangers at the Kruger Wilderness Experience bush camp in the Kruger National Park, the idea for a wine that could raise money for anti-poaching efforts was developed.

Rhino Tears - Against Rhino Poaching

I have had an inherent love for wildlife and as a child we would be fortunate to spend our holidays in the bush, fishing or in remote locations. The selling and marketing of wine is difficult and competitive, but it is rewarding. When an opportunity arises to mix work with pleasure, I jumped at the chance to give something back and spend time with good people fighting a worthy cause. After discussions developed with the SANParks Honorary Rangers, I had a good idea on how the costs would work, as it was important to be able to develop something in which the ultimate beneficiaries were the rhinos themselves. It was up to me to create a good quality red and white wine, design an attractive and iconic label endorsed by SANParks, and make sure it was in stores, ready to sell before Christmas.  ~ John Hooper

Rhino Tearswine is from the Mt Vernon wine estate in Klapmuts, Cape Town. Hooper realised that he needed to create a good quality wine that wine lovers around the world would appreciate. An important point to consider, though, was selling a wine that people would buy often and could enjoy immediately, as this would mean more for anti-poaching than a wine that would have be stored in a cellar for years before drinking.

Rhino Tears

The result is a good red blend made from Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage grapes that allows for easy drinking and appeals to all levels of palate. The white is a delightful fruit driven Chenin Blanc, suitable for enjoying at all occasions.

Rhino Tears

Rhino Tears wine sells at around R55 per bottle, and R15 from each bottle goes directly to Unite Against Poaching. Wine lovers can be confident that 100% of the funds raised through sales of Rhino Tears are used for anti-poaching projects in SANParks.

Every bottle purchased really makes a difference. The costs of the anti-poaching war is expensive and the men and women involved need all they can get against a ruthless enemy ~ John Hooper

So if you are looking for easy drinking wine for your weekend endeavors, why not support this very worthy cause!

Rhino Tears wine is available for purchase in major retailers around the country, including Pick n Pay, Makro, Tops, Spar, Fruit and Veg City and major independent retailers. It can also ordered online from the MT Vernon Website, SANParks or the Unite Against Rhino Poaching Website.

Photo Credit: Inspired Living SA {© FAR Photography}

Disclosure Ranking:2

  • LinkedIn 0
  • Twitter
  • Facebook 0
  • Pinterest 0
  • StumbleUpon 0

Lifestyle, Taste, Wine, Wine Farms

Babylonstoren Wine Tasting & Cellar Tour

Babylonstoren-Farm Vineyards

I recently visited Babylonstoren; it was my first time! No judgement, please! When I mentioned to most people that I had never been before, they were completely dumbfounded. I knew I had to get there! [Read more…]

  • LinkedIn 0
  • Twitter
  • Facebook 0
  • Pinterest 0
  • StumbleUpon 0

Cape Town Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Wine Farms

De Grendel Wine Farm

De-Grendel-Table-Mountain-in a glass by Fiona Rossiter

You may remember a recent post I did featuring City Escapes and a brief write-up I did on De Grendel Wine Farm. I thought I would do a bit more of an in-depth feature on the Estate and give you a bit more detail on what the wine farm has to offer.

De Grendel Wine

De Grendel Wine Farm

Grendel Wine Farm

The farm offers visitors the most spectacular, unparalleled panoramic views, with a particularly amazing view of Table Mountain. {I loved my shot of Table Mountain in a wine glass}

De-Grendel-Table-Mountain-in a glass by Fiona Rossiter

You will also catch a glimpse of the City and the Seaboard, all in one landscape. De Grendel is situated a mere 20 minutes from the city and forms part of the Durbanville Wine Route.

De-Grendel-View-of-Table-Mo

The farm is steeped in local history and has been in the Graaff family for three generations. Baronet, Sir David Graaff, retired politician and leading wine farmer, continues the legacy left by his father and grandfather before him. The historic De Grendel farm remains the heart and soul of the family, assisted by members of staff whose roots on the property go back five generations. Sir David has built a reputation for upliftment in the community, supporting farm labourers and their families and encouraging education for their children.

De-Grendel-Vineyards

As far as wine making goes De Grendel Vineyards are perfectly situated on high, sea-facing slopes, it is the only vineyard in the country, which is 350m above sea level and only 7 km from the sea. This elevated position is not only majestic, but creates the micro-climate, vital to the production of their elegant wines.

De-Grendel-Vineyards

Our vines benefit from the western-facing aspect and the close moderating effects of the ocean – advantages that are the product of the site. In our viticulture and wine-making, our goal is the expression of the character of this distinctive position.

The day we picked for our visit to the farm was wonderfully clear, albeit a bit chilly but all in all the perfect winters day!

De-Grendel-Wine-Tasting

De-Grendel-Vine and Dine Menu

We chose to do the full wine tasting, as well as snack on a cheese board from their Vine and Dine menu.

De-Grendel-Vine-and-Dine De-Grendel-Cheese-Board2 De-Grendel-Cheese-Board

De-Grendel-Sauvignon-Blanc

A few of our favourite whites tasted, were the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2014 Koetshuis, both wines are wonderfully fruity, with a crisp dry finish. Perfect summer time wines!

De-Grendel-Rose

Rosé is one of my favourite lazy, summer time wines, providing it is dry and not too sweet! The De Grendel 2014 Rosé is perfect! Again lovely and fruity but with a crisp dry finish.

De-Grendel-Merlot

As far as reds go my favourite reds at the moment are usually Shiraz, so I was really surprised by the De Grendel 2012 Merlot! The Merlot is a delicious, full bodied wine filled with a combination of different berries on the nose. Mulberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit accompanied by liquorice and mocha flavours that carry through on palate. Well supported by firm French oak tannins. Naturally we bought a combination of the wines to enjoy at home!

Tasting fees are R50.00 for the full range of wines available for tasting or R20.00 for any three available wines. Groups larger than eight are kindly requested to book with Douglas on 021 558 6280, weekend tasting sessions for these groups are only available from 09h00-10h30.

De Grendel Restaurant

As well as wine tasting, the estate boasts an Elegant Restaurant, which is 100% South African! Farm produce and ingredients sourced from local suppliers are given an inventive, modern edge. Home-grown South African chefs and staff are employed and trained to international standards, generating jobs for local people. We have not eaten at the restaurant yet but plan to in the very near future!

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. At dinner the exceptional five course tasting menu (tailored to diner preferences) is a huge draw card, offering the chance to experience the talents and creative abilities of the chefs over more courses. De Grendel Wines are on the menu at cellar prices, making this fine dining experience accessible at realistic prices.

Contact Details:

Wine Farm

t: +27 (0) 21 558 6280
f: +27 (0) 21 558 7083
e: [email protected]
follow the wine farm: facebook | twitter

Restaurant

t: +27 (0) 21 558 7035

e: [email protected]
follow the restaurant: facebook | twitter

Directions

De Grendel is only twenty minutes from the Waterfront or airport. Leave the N1 at exit 18; continue left down the Plattekloof Road for another 5 km, De Grendel is on the right.

Image Source: 1-14 ©FAR Photography, 15 ©De Grendel

Disclosure Ranking: 2

  • LinkedIn 0
  • Twitter
  • Facebook 0
  • Pinterest 0
  • StumbleUpon 0

Exploring the Cape, Local, Travel, Wine Farms

City Escapes with City Lodge

City Lodge Hotel GrandWest Bar

As you know I love travel, both locally and international but time and budget constraints, usually only allow international travel once a year. We also like to venture along the coast or into the country, for weekend breaks but lately we have been doing more City Escapes. Staying closer to home and exploring more of what Cape Town has to offer! [Read more…]

  • LinkedIn 0
  • Twitter
  • Facebook 0
  • Pinterest 0
  • StumbleUpon 0

Eating Out, Food, Lifestyle, Restaurant Reviews, Taste, Wine Farms

Sublime Lunch at Harvest at Laborie Wines

Harvest-rump-with cafe-de paris-butter

Grant and I recently snuck away for a wonderfully romantic lunch, at Harvest at Laborie Wines! He had been before, but it was my first time visiting the estate – what a fantastic treat! The weather was rather cold and wet, but we refused to let that spoil our day! [Read more…]

  • LinkedIn 0
  • Twitter
  • Facebook 0
  • Pinterest 1
  • StumbleUpon 0
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • Next Page »

Meet Fiona Rossiter

Hi, I am Fiona Rossiter, from Cape Town, the writer and photographer behind Inspired Living SA Blog. If you love good Food and Wine, reading amazing Travel Adventures, keeping Fit and Healthy, as well following Decor Trends – then Inspired Living SA is just the place for you! Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to stay connected

Subscribe on YouTube

Wine News & Reviews

Delicious Recipes

Travel Reviews

In The Media

Inspired Living SA In the Media
© Copyright 2015 Inspired Living SA ·