In Afrikaans, Vrede is peace and Lust means you are eager and keen to get going.  Not always reconcilable in language, but brought together to perfection by Dana Buys on the showpiece wine estate on the western slopes of the Simonsberg massif, one of the first to greet the sun each morning.  Lying side by side with other well known wineries, serious contenders to the winemaking crown of the Cape.

Vrede en Lust Crest

Dana has built an open-to-the-public super active cutting edge wine estate under cover of the peaceful pastoral classical Cape Dutch farmstead built on land first granted to French Huguenot Jacques de Savoye in 1688 during the governorship of Simon van der Stel.  The Huguenot origins of the estate are honoured in the crest of Vrede en Lust using the classic French fleur-de-lis [lily] and the Huguenot cross.

The vineyard regime is one of respect for the environment with no chemical pesticides being used for the last 5 years and limited application of weed killers.

The cellar philosophy followed by winemaker Susan Wessels is simply to produce, with minimal intervention high q,uality wines that reflect the terroir of the estate.

Up to 80% of the grapes used come from owned land and the balance from top quality producers.  Grapes from their farm Casey’s Ridge in Elgin, part – owned by farm workers, form part of the plan for the future.

Tasting Room

Vrede en Lust has a very elegant wine tasting and sales room on the farm with the most sensational views.  Here the full range of Vrede en Lust wines can be tasted and purchased.

The well known and loved Cotage Fromage – for years the good food deli in the valley – has recently undergone a transformation and opened as a restaurant under the award winning team of chefs Matthew Gordon and Duncan Doherty and bread-maker supreme Jean-Pierre Smith.  I have eaten there – superb Duck club sandwich with its shredded confit duck, crispy bacon, egg and brandied apricots on rye and candied orange bread, with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.  The fish of the day was Kabeljou, cooked a point and served with a delicious beetroot salsa – the perfect match for the dry rosé called Jess.

Matthew Gordon, Duncan Doherty & Jean-Pierre Smith

The estate also has excellent facilities for weddings and conferences, the peace – Vrede – playing a major role in any occasion. There is luxury accommodation available on the estate – the gracious old Manor House and three cottages offer peace, quiet and comfort for parties attending weddings and conferences or groups wanting a weekend with a difference in the country.

Susan Wessels, the award winning winemaker of Vrede en Lust was announced South African Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2007. Both her Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc were presented and the Sauvignon Blanc 2007 especially caught the judges attention.

Her wines are:
Cara
Real class here mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz – full whiffs of white pepper, other spice and raspberry undertow from the Shiraz and full flavours of black Cabernet fruit.  Soft ripe tannins.  Nice on it own as a good glassful or with food.

Classic
This is their Bordeaux style blend harvested from low yielding vineyards for extra intensity of fruit, offering blackcurrant cassis notes and a lifting raspberry.  Matured in small French oak barrels to enhance the elegance and dignity and add a touch of chocolate and vanilla.

Jess
This sophisticated dry Rose is named for Dana Buys’s daughter, Jess. Crisp and fruity strawberries and crunchy watermelon and medium of body, it is delicious and thirst quenching on its own or as an entrée to a more serious red from the estate as a main course wine.

Karien
Benchmark Chenin Blanc easy quaffer with the well known characteristics of Chenin, peach, feint honey and flowers.  Lipsmacking drink-on-its-own wine.

Marguerite
Marguerite is a limited edition Chardonnay from low yielding vineyards which build real character in the wine.  Assisted by aging in small French oak barrels it displays all the well known Chardonnay smells and tastes we know and love, orange blossom jelly, toasted almond brioche and clouds of Cape fynbos flowers.  Well balanced and creamy from the lees contact and stirring.

Susan Wessels

The Wines of Vrede en Lust
Reserve
This is a Bordeaux style blend from the estates own vineyards. A full bodied stunner with an essence of cassis, blackberry, plums with spice, pencil shavings and cedar on the nose. Soft ripe tannins and excellent application of oak support the fruity flavours which continue into a long aftertaste which hints of cherry.

Sauvignon Blanc
Sourced from outside the estate from ocean affected vineyards in Durbanville and Sir Lowry’s Pass the Sauvignon Blanc is “classical green”.  Newly mown grass, slices of fig and poached Cape gooseberry are made alive by a sparky lime squirt acidity – crisp finish shows a nose of concentrated fruit flavours of fig, a touch of cut grass and gooseberry. The wine is buoyed by mouthwatering lime acidity and has a thirst-quenching crisp finish.

Shiraz
Own grapes from selected vineyards.  Fermentation and malolactic take place in tank and barrel, thus softening the wine.  The part American oak barrel maturation give the wine a “sweet” spice undertow to the wonderful dark plum fruits. Screwcapped and ready for early drinking.

Simond
Pitched at a price point for frequent and regular enjoyment!  Delicious, silky smooth and sappy multilayered blend of lightly oaked Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Beautiful garnet colours and flavours of blackcurrant and raspberry layered with caramel, chocolate and spice.

Viognier
The Viognier was produced as a special release for the 2007 vintage though it was originally intended to co-ferment it with Shiraz.  However her decision to taste the juice after pressing and before blending led to Susan being named SA’s Woman Winemaker of the year.  Wise decision!  Soft ripened apricots and yellow cling peaches shine through the gentle oak and the off dry residual sugar left in the wine.

A view to feed the soul

Visit their website to read more about this spectacular wine estate and its wines.

Winegrowing area Simonsberg–Paarl
Owner Dana Buys
Winemaker Susan Wessels

Tel: +27 21 874 1611
fax: +27 21 874 1859
Email: info@vnl.co.za Web: www.vnl.co.za