Those of you who have visited the Midlands will know that we do not have a very good history of successful wine ventures... There are a couple of lovely spots where one can buy a good bottle of Cape wine, or even an international vintage or two - but generally one would not associate the Midlands to be synonomous with Wine and viticulture in general. Our climate isn't Mediteranean, our soils are too loamy, our weather is too British, and vines simply will not grow here.
Or so I was always led to believe.
A mere 10 minutes down the road from our house is the eye-opening, myth-debunking, rather delightful Abingdon Wine Estate. The farm was bought in 2000 by owners and winemakers, Ian & Jane Smorthwaite, and the first vines were planted in 2004. All the wine they produce is with grapes from the Estate - nothing is brought in from the Cape or elsewhere. Abingdon's maiden vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2007, was the first ever certified estate wine made in KwaZulu-Natal.I couldn't believe that it had taken us so long to discover this delightful little gem. We had of course heard about the Estate, but always assumed that they were another Midlands Meander Tourist attraction that would only last a couple of years, and probably had all their wines made in the Cape and then marketed them in KZN under false pretences.
How wrong we were!
Arriving amidst the first of the Spring rains, on a blustery, misty Midlands Sunday, we were greeted by warm smiles and a glowing fire. The tasting room is so cosy and inviting, and we immediately felt right at home in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine in hand. Here we met Ian, Jane and their daughter Laurie, all of whom work on the farm and in the cellar to produce their delicious Estate wines. This family is so passionate about producing quality wines in the KZN Midlands - and I couldn't believe how good they were! There is a unique subtlety to their wines that is simply charming and sets them apart from anything we've ever had in the Cape. Whether you prefer whites or reds, there is something for everyone.Who would have thought that you could make great wines in the Midlands?? I never thought we would ever be able to relive or student days just around the corner from where we are farming dairy cows!
Needless to say, a "quick midday tasting" turning into 3 bottles of red wine, a gorgeous meal of roasted pork belly for me and fresh Dargle trout for Dale, and a late evening somewhat not-so-sober saunter home on the back roads...
A great surprise for a lazy Sunday stopover. I would strongly recommend that everyone I know who loves wine should "maak 'n draai" at Abingdon.
You wont be disappointed.
And you had better invite us to come along too - this is one place we will definitely be frequenting on a regular basis!On a final note; while we were busy quenching our insatiable thirst for good wine, the heavens finally opened and ended our drought! Good things can only happen where wine is involved! Bring on Summer!!
