Spur-winged Goose Logo

The farm is one of historic interest as it was granted to Catharina Ras who gave it the original name of Swaaneweide – feeding place of the swans.  The ‘swans’ in question are the Spur-winged Geese which are still found on the farm now known as Steenberg and are indeed used in the logo of the winery and hotel.

In 1842 the farm became the property of Johannes Adriaan Louw whose family owned it until 1990.  Louw is still today a well-known family name in the Constantia Valley.  For 15 years, under the ownership of Johannesburg Consolidated Investments, the farm was redeveloped into a successful vineyard, golf estate – course designed by Peter Matcovitch – and the old Manor House with its leg of mutton convex-concave or ‘holbol’ gable became the centre point of a luxury hotel.  Steenberg is currently owned by Graham Beck’s Kangra Group.

The old farm buildings, the 1740 Manor House, the ‘Jonkershuis’, the barn and the original wine cellar and the ‘werf’ have been immaculately restored and form the 24 suite 5 star hotel.  Catherina’s Restaurant, situated in the original winery, is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves contemporary South African cuisine from a kitchen operated by highly acclaimed chef, Garth Almazan.

Steenberg Vineyards

The vineyards of Steenberg are about 63ha in size of which 60% is planted to the white varietals Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Muscat de Frontignan. The balance is made up of the red varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. And importantly the red Italian variety, Nebbiolo.  General Manager, John Loubser, anticipates all vineyards to be in full production by 2010.

In the state-of-the-art cellar senior winemaker Ruth Penfold builds on the successes of John Loubser and produces a range of wines that reflect both the varietal characteristics of the grapes and are made for food.  Ruth is assisted by Alfred Dalicuba and Andrew Williams, both of whom have excellent wine background. Farm manager, Johann de Swardt and his staff, look after the vineyards and believes that their mission “is to run the farm with nature as our leading partner and teacher. It is a long process and sometimes difficult not to interfere too harshly, but as the balance gets restored, we will reap the benefits.”

Anetha Homan & John Loubser

Not easy for me to choose from Steenberg’s impressive array of wines, marketed with style by Anetha Homan.  Sauvignon Blanc has to be the queen and it appears in many different guises from the entry level Klein Steenberg to the impressive Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and the Cape Wine Makers Guild Auction Reserve Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc.  Blended with Semillon it is labelled Magna Carta, a 5 star wine in every respect.  The Chardonnay based Steenberg 1682 Brut is the estate’s Methode Cap Classique.  The reds include the flagship Catharina – named for the first owner – a Merlot, Shiraz and the ‘Italian’ Nebbiolo.

Steenberg has had an interesting history – the future looks even brighter.

Winegrowing area Constantia
Owner Graham Beck
General Manager Cellarmaster John Loubser

M42 Constantia
P O Box 224 Steenberg 7947, Western Cape, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 713 2211
fax: +27 21 712 2201
Email: anetha@steenbrg.co.za
Web: www.steenberg-vineyards.co.za

Eagles’ Nest is on the road up to Constantia Nek on a former part of Simon van der Stel’s Groot Constantia Estate, in the oldest wine appellation in South Africa.

Aptly named, I have seen Black Eagles swirling in the skies above the Estate; it is, what must surely be, the highest vineyard on the Cape with its slopes facing North, East and West and has the most spectacular views over the Cape Peninsula and looking north up the side of the Table Mountain massif.

In 1984, a section of the original Eagles’ Nest was bought by the Mylrea family who spent the next 16 years eradicating alien vegetation and re-establishing indigenous species, particularly protea, and planting vineyards and kiwi hedges. After a massive forest fire in 2000 destroyed their table grape, kiwi fruit and Protea farm, all the forestation and leaving only some farm buildings and the Manor House, brothers in law Jonathan Mylrea and Peter Stewart decided to return to roots and replant the farm with wine grapes on some of the steepest of vineyard slopes.

Merlot and Shiraz were chosen and a small vineyard of Viognier was planted to be used as a co-fermenter with the Shiraz, but the quality of the Viognier has been such that it is bottled as a varietal wine.

A brand new state-of-the-art winery was commissioned in time for the 2008 vintage.

The revelation for me was tasting the Eagles Nest Shiraz early this year, and I wondered at the time whether this was a cult winery in the making.  It went on to win an award for the best wine first year of production at The Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards and then went on to win a trophy for the Best Shiraz and one for the Best Red Wine on Show at The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, arguably the premier Wine Show of South Africa.

EAGLES’ NEST SHIRAZ is a typical cool climate Shiraz.  Lots of ripe blueberries and hints of mushroomy forest soil on the nose followed by full red and black berries, freshly roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate on the palate.  There is a soft acidity and gentle ripe rolling tannins that make this a delicious food wine.

EAGLES’ NEST MERLOT is also a typical cool climate wine.  And it is so Merlot. Fresh red berries and plums on the nose with an element of spice.  On the palate there is a wave of mulberries and dark red cherries. The soft acidity and excellent French oak and vibrant fruit are all in perfect harmony with the ripe tannins.  Elegant wine.

EAGLES’ NEST VIOGNIER won a Bronze Award at the 2008 Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards.  So different to the Viogniers we are used to in the Cape, the Eagles’ Nest is more reminiscent of a New Zealander from Hawke’s Bay.  Fresh sliced white peaches, soft dried apricots, floral jasmine and frangipani all bathed in honey.  Full of flavour, almost oily with the vanillins from the oak being supported by a sparky acidity.

Watching Jonathan Mylrea’s face as the Eagles’ Nest Shiraz won two major trophies at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show in June 2008 was a treat.

There is more – much more – to come from Eagles’ Nest.

Winegrowing area Constantia
Owners The Mylrea Family
Winemaker Steve Roche

M41, near Constantia Nek
P O Box 535 Constantia 7848
Western Cape, South Africa

Tel: +27 21 794 4095
Fax: +27 21 794 7112
Email:  info@eaglesnestwines.com
Web: www.eaglesnestwines.com

Click here & listen to Michael tasting Eagles’ Nest Viognier on his Fine Music Radio 101.3FM show.