As you drive up the Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley you cannot miss the bright pink doors of La Vierge Private Cellar. The unusual appearance prepares you for just that ….. the unusual! You enter the tasting room and the restaurant over a bridge overlooking the huge stainless steel tanks of the winery.
La Vierge, has a story to tell…..it’s spelt out on the tasting room wall. The wines have names to carry the theme through. You’ll taste The Affair pinot noir and the Jezebelle Chardonnay, the Original Sin Sauvignon Blanc amongst others!
There is a visual feast of sculptures and the walls are adorned with fascinating artworks.
In the daytime the views up and down the valley are spectacular, but as the sun set on Friday evening we enjoyed Prawn Cocktail Phyllo parcels while we sipped welcoming bubbly. Soon Gerhard Smith introduced us to a tasting of The Last Temptation, an elegant bone dry Riesling, while we nibbled arancini (risotto balls) and subtly flavoured Malay Fish Cakes.
The Jezebelle Chardonnay, has an elegant buttery nose with a palate of nougat and ripe grapefruit, all perfectly balanced and rated as my second favourite that evening.
The Original Sin Sauvignon Blanc followed. I loved the mineral and herbaceous palate with the steely dry finish. The Sauvignons in the cool climate are dry and elegant. One of my favourite whites for the week-end, but then I am a Sauvignon Blanc fan.
The reds started with The Affair (Don’t you just love the names!) Pinot Noir….. oh yes, I could have an affair with this one! Lovely red cherries and floral notes, with perfectly gently tannins!
La Vierge Noir, Pinot Noir was stunning: gamey and mineral, elegant also one of my top scorers for the week-end!
We followed the tasting with a meal of perfectly cooked Beef Sirloin and nibbled at the Mini Dessert Platters before we ‘rolled’ down the valley for a good night’s sleep in preparation for the day ahead!
The la Vierge Restaurant swerves delicious meals and is open to the public for lunch and dinner.
