Oldenburg Chenin Blanc 2021, so good with Carey Boucher–Erasmus’s The Best Caesar Salad…

A fine example of an Oak Barrel fermented and matured Chenin Blanc. The Oldenburg Chenin Blanc 2021 is given gentle treatment in the cellar...

Oldenburg Grenache Noir 2016 from the Vineyards Series, so good  with Dianne Bibby’s Easy Tuna Bake…

Oldenburg Grenache Noir 2016, a gem of a wine recently released from the Oldenburg Vineyard's Library. A stunning expression of the Grape...

A PAIR OF SUPERB BANGHOEK VALLEY MERLOTS FROM THE STELLENBOSCH WINE APPELLATION…

Merlot is gaining popularity as producers like Oldenburg and Delaire Graff on the cooler side of Stellenbosch take the grape seriously...

5 MINUTES WITH CHRISTO CROUS, OLDENBURG VINEYARDS VITICULTURIST…  

Christo Crous, Viticulturist at Oldenburg Vineyards, tells me in 5 minutes about the life of the vineyardist on this Stellenbosch Wine Estate...

October 1st, 2021|Categories: Michael's Writings|Tags: Boekenhoutskloof Semillon Noble Late Harvest, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Christo Crous, Connor McGregor, Elsenburg College, Moremi Botswana, , Rassie Erasmus, Rondekop Per Se, , Ses blinde muise en ‘n olifant, Spoegwolf, |

OLDENBURG VINEYARDS SERIES SYRAH 2018, PERFECT PARTNER FOR ALIDA RYDER’S PAN SEARED DUCK BREAST WITH A HONEY SOY GLAZE…

Oldenburg Vineyards Series Syrah 2018, a perfect cool climate expression of this Southern French Grape by Nic van Aarde, Oldenburg Winemaker...

OLDENBURG VINEYARDS RONDEKOP SERIES RHODIUM 2018, SO GOOD WITH INA PAARMAN’S SPITBRAAI ORANGE DUCK…

The Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Series Rhodium 2018, has, for the first time 55% Cabernet Franc with 45% Merlot. Right Bank style of Bordeaux Blend...

June 9th, 2021|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Cabernet Franc, Duck, Ina Paarman, Ina Paarman’s Spit Braai Orange Duck, Merlot, , , Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Series Rhodium 2018, Orange Duck, Stellenbosch|

Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Series Per Se Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, excellent with my Tomato Bredie…

Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Series Per Se Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, a perfect companion to a richly flavoured Tomato Bredie...

Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2020, so good with Carey Boucher Erasmus’s Courgette, Herb & Goat’s Cheese Fritters…

Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2020, Nic van Aarde's superb expression of a delicately oaked Chenin Blanc....

Oldenburg Vineyards Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, excellent with Diane Bibby’s Roast Leg of Lamb with Saffron Honey…

Oldenburg Vineyards Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, a great expression of the grape. from the cooler side of Stellenbosch...

Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Series Rhodium 2017, excellent with Alida Ryder’s Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cheesy Mash…

Oldenburg Vineyards, Rondekop Series Rhodium 2017, grapes from the slopes of Rondekop a gem of a blend, named for a precious metal...

November 18th, 2020|Categories: podcasts, wine of the day|Tags: , Banghoek, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, , , Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Series Rhodium 2017, , , , |

Oldenburg Vineyards Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Tony Jackman’s Pot Roasted Lamb Shanks with Orange & Rosemary is a perfect partner…

Oldenburg Vineyards Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, prepared for bottling by Nic van Aarde, Top Ten in Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report 2020...

July 8th, 2020|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , , Oldenburg Vineyard Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, , Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, , |
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Oldenburg Vineyards Merlot 2016, so good with my Tomato Bredie…

Oldenburg Vineyards Merlot 2016, from the cooler climes of the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation, the Banghoek Valley...

Oldenburg Vineyards Series Chardonnay 2019, perfect match to The Pesto Princess’s Vegan Caesar Salad…

Oldenburg Vineyards Series Chardonnay 2019, a first vintage for Nic van Aarde from the cooler climes of the Banghoek Valley...

Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Rhodium 2015, delicious with my Pork, Apricot & Green Bean Curry…

A range of single variety and blended wines named for the little Rondekop Hillock on the Estate, the Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Rhodium 2015 is impressive...

June 25th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , , Cabernet Franc, Merlot, , , Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Rhodium 2015|
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Oldenburg Vineyards Series Syrah 2015, so good with Ina Paarman’s French Beef Stew with Shallots…

From the greatest vintage of the century, in the middle of the worst drought in living memory, the truly sublime Oldenburg Vineyards Series Syrah 2015...

February 16th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Ina Paarman, , , , Oldenburg Vineyards Series Syrah 2015, , , Stellenbosch, , |

Oldenburg Vineyard Series Cabernet Franc 2015, such a treat with Christine Capendale’s Slow Roasted Lamb Pie…

A sublime expression of a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, the Oldenburg Vineyard Series Cabernet Franc 2015 is one you need to land for Christmas...

Oldenburg Rondekop Per Se Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, good with Ina Paarman’s Eggplant Involtini…

A superb example of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon, from Stellenbosch, the home of Cabernet, Oldenburg Rondekop Per Se Cabernet Sauvignon 2015...

Oldenburg Vineyards Merlot 2015, perfect partner to Christine Capendale’s Fillet with Rocket & Horseradish Sauce…

Oldenburg Vineyards Merlot 2015 Oldenburg Vineyards up in the Banghoek Valley has some exciting stuff happening – again! The new winery is coming on like a dream, the roof is on, now the interior work is taking place. and will be ready for the Estate’s new winemaker Nic van Aarde. The Estate has recently created

October 31st, 2018|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , , Christine Capendale, , , Oldenburg Vineyards Merlot 2015, South African Wines|

Oldenburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, good with a piece of steak served with Alida Ryder’s Easy Creamy Pepper Sauce….

Oldenburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, a fine example of Cabernet Sauvignon, from a much punted Cabernet Sauvignon region, Stellenbosch. Superb 6 year old which needs a plaster of good meat.

June 26th, 2018|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Cabernet Franc, , Easy Creamy Pepper Sauce, , , Sauvignon Blanc, |

Oldenburg Vineyards Rhodium 2014, so good with Nina Timm’s Pork Cutlets with Hazelnuts & Sage

A sublime Merlot and Petit Verdot blend, the Oldenburg Vineyards Rhodium 2014 spends 20 months in French oak Barrels. Full rich and flavoursome this meaty savoury wine needs well flavoured food as the perfect partner. Nina Timm steps in with her Pork cutlets...

Oldenburg Vineyards Viognier 2016, a fine partner to Nadia Graves’s Perfect Roast Chicken – 08.12.2017

Oldenburg Vineyards Viognier 2016, a deliciously peachy expression of this Condrieu grape. Such a stunning food wine, great with chicken.

December 8th, 2017|Categories: Michael's Writings|Tags: , Adrian & Vanessa Vanderspuy, , , |
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Oldenburg Merlot 2014, great match with Ina Paarman’s Kettle Braai Pork Neck with Peaches – 01.11.2017

Fine Stellenbosch Wine Estate in the Banghoek Valley, Oldenburg Vineyards produces a great 2014 Merlot. Perfect match with Ian Paarman's Pork Dish...

November 1st, 2017|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Ina Paarman, Merlot, Oldenburg Merlot 2014, , , South African Merlot, |
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Oldenburg Rhodium 2013 & Ina Paarman’s Individual Beef Wellingtons – 11.05.2017

Oldenburg Rhodium 2013 Rhodium, of which South Africa produces most of the world’s supply, is a very rare metal. It is used in the manufacture of premium jewellery and also as a catalyst for sustainable processes. Rondekop in Autumn Oldenburg is a rare estate. It is beautifully situated in the northern reaches of the Stellenbosch

May 12th, 2017|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: #redblend, , Ina Paarman, , |

Judi Dyer – Managing Director of Oldenburg Vineyards

Judi Dyer OLDENBURG VINEYARDS, has appointed Judi Dyer as Managing Director, with effect from April 2017. Judi’s vast and varied experience with top brands ranging across hospitality, wine and olive oil industries (amongst others), has her uniquely poised to join and lead the Oldenburg team for owners Adrian and Vanessa Vanderspuy. Oldenburg's Rondekop Hill in

Oldenburg Merlot 2013 & Nadia Graves’s Raclette in a pan – 17.03.2017

Oldenburg Merlot 2013 If you’re looking for class, you don't have to look much further than Oldenburg Vineyards.  This enchanting little winery is situated in the upper, almost Alpine, reaches of the Banghoek Valley with the Simonsberg, Stellenbosch and Groot Drakenstein Mountains towering above it.  And then in amusing sharp contrast the little Rondekop Hill

March 17th, 2017|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Maison Travers, Merlot, Nadia Grave, , |
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Oldenburg Cabernet Franc Barrel Selection 2014 & Nina Timm’s Gnocchi with meatballs & creamy tomato sauce – 16.02.2017

Oldenburg Cabernet Franc Barrel Selection 2014 There are few wine Estates over which mountains stand towering benignly as Oldenburg, situated high above the Banghoek Valley. In one of the northernmost parts of the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation, the Estate looks out over the Stellenbosch and Groot Drakenstein Mountains. An enchanting hillock Rondekop sits in the middle

February 15th, 2017|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: #cabernetfranc, , , , Oldenburg Wines, |

Oldenburg Viognier 2015 & Alida Ryder’s Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Wreath – 05.01.2017

Oldenburg's Rondekop, radiant in Autumn Oldenburg is a wine Estate set in the sheer beauty of the southern end of the Banghoek Valley. Surrounded by mountains of Alpine magnificence, it has an enchanting little hill in the middle called Rondekop.  Made up of ferrocrete soils which give the most fabulous mineral flavours to the wines.

Sage & Onion Forcemeat Balls with Bacon & Sundried Tomatoes – Ina Paarman

Ina Paarman's Sage & Onion Forcemeat Balls with Bacon & Sundried Tomatoes Ina says: “These are so easy to dish up. They taste even better the next day. Serve warm or at room temperature. Leftovers go beautifully with salads and sandwiches.” You will need 250 g chicken livers 3 T (45 ml) butter 2 t

August 18th, 2016|Categories: Recipes|Tags: Ina Paarman, , , |
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Green Bean Bredie – Lizet Hartley

Green Bean Bredie by Lizet Hartley Lizet says: "Green bean bredie [groenboontjiebredie] – of course one has to call it a bredie, for nothing this soul satisfying could possibly be called a mere stew. What makes this a true South African bredie? The addition of marvellous old-fashioned boerekos spices along with liberal lashings of lard.

Roast Chicken with Toulouse Sausage, Apple & Sage Stuffing, Leeks & Fennel – Carey Boucher Erasmus

Carey Boucher Erasmus's Roast Chicken with Toulouse Sausage, Apple & Sage Stuffing Leeks & Fennel Carey says: "This roast chicken is something special. Butter and sage is rubbed underneath the skin and the cavity is filled with a stuffing of Toulouse sausage (or good pork sausage), apple, sage and onion and then roasts on a

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Oldenburg Vineyards – sublime wine destination in Banghoek

Oldenburg Vineyards Situated at the top of the Banghoek on Helshoogte Pass, Oldenburg Vineyards, is a very special place to visit. Surrounded by towering mountains and looking down to the Groot Drakenstein Valley, a gentle country lane gets the mood right as you approach Oldenburg and once there, the mountains tower over you giving an

Chicken with wine & caramelised lemons – Nadia Graves

Nadia Graves's Chicken with wine & caramelised lemons This is another very easy recipe to do that tastes like you put much more effort into it than you actually did. It is a great one dish recipe that has minimal washing up as well and to top it all, everyone will love it. You can use

March 28th, 2016|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Greek-Style Chicken with Preserved Lemons & Olives – Jamie Schler

Greek-Style Chicken with Preserved Lemons & Olives Jamie says: "Greek-style chicken with preserved lemons and olives is tender chicken infused with the bright, sparkling flavor of lemon, lightly-caramelized onions offering a savory succulence and a handful of olives giving the dish a salty edge. Fast and easy to prepare, this dish packs a flavorful punch,

February 28th, 2016|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Oeufs en meurette – Stewart Turner

Stewart Turner's Oeufs en meurette photography by Simon Peel Stewart Turner is the Head Chef at Berry Bros & Rudd, famous London Wine Merchants. Do follow their blog at bbrblog.com where you will find some interesting recipes and ideas. Oeufs en meurette 8 eggs 1 bottle of red wine 50ml red wine vinegar 2 shallots

January 31st, 2016|Categories: Recipes|Tags: Berry Bros & Rudd, , , Stewart Turner|
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Pasta e Fagioli – Roberta Muir

Roberta Muir's Pasta e Fagioli Roberta says: "This is not a precise recipe – add more or less chilli or garlic to suit your taste, alter the ratio of pasta to beans if you prefer more of one or the other and add more or less water to give it a soupier or a more hearty consistency. Whatever you

December 29th, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Persiana Lamb Keftas with Jewelled Couscous – Sonia Cabano

Persiana Lamb Keftas with Jewelled Couscous from Persiana, adapted by Sonia Cabano Sonia says, "Keftas, koftas…just another name for deliciously fragrant, mildly spiced lamb meatballs beloved throughout the Levant. The recipe below was adapted from the one in Sabrina Ghayour’s Persiana cookbook, and it was made by my teenage daughter to celebrate her return to a

November 30th, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , Sonia Cabano, |
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Truffled Gnocchi with Mushroom Ragu recipe by Alida Ryder for NOMU

Truffled Gnocchi with Mushroom Ragu Vegetarian dishes are often overlooked when it comes to wine matches. Having had a son who at 9 declared himself a vegetarian, it came easy to us to use separate cooking pots and utensils and, in our restaurant, to buy a separate deep fryer for non vegetarian foods to keep

September 30th, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: NoMU Foods, , |
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Ponzu Sauce Steak – Jan Braai

Jan Braai's Ponzu Sauce Steak Jan says. "There are three parts to this Japanese-inspired recipe: sauce, braai and presentation. Making the sauce is very easy, as you just reduce some stuff in a pan until you like the consistency and taste of it. In terms of the meat, I like to trim away excess fat

August 31st, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Spiced Baked Aubergines with Yoghurt & Pomegranate Seeds – Jane-Anne Hobbs

Jane-Anne Hobbs's Spiced Baked Aubergines with Yoghurt & Pomegranate Seeds Jane-Anne Hobbs is such a talented cook.  Her book Scrumptious is a gem and one you really should have on your kitchen shelf. Spiced Baked Aubergines with Yoghurt & Pomegranate Seeds What you'll need... 4 medium aubergines 1 tsp (5 ml) salt ⅓

June 7th, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: Jane Anne Hobbs, , |
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Slow-roasted lamb, rosemary & roasted garlic pie – Alida Ryder

Alida Ryder's Slow cooked lamb, rosemary & roasted garlic pie Alida Ryder, is one of the best cooks in the North.  We, and her enormous fan base are lucky to have her in our lives, her food is always so beautifully photographed, so colourful, aromatic and utterly delicious.  She just knows how to

May 1st, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Fillet with Sauce Bèarnaise – Marlene van der Westhuizen

Marlene van der Westhuizen's Fillet with Sauce Bearnaise Marlene says, "Any steak served with this traditional hot, creamy sauce made from egg yolks and reduced vinegar will be delectably good. The first known béarnaise recipe was published during the eighteen hundreds in La Cuisinière de la Campagne et de la Ville by Louis-Eustache

March 19th, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: Chardonnay in South Africa, Marlene van der Westhuizen, |
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Buckwheat Linguine with Aubergine & Mango – Meeta K Wolff

Meeta K Wolff's Buckwheat Linguinewith Aubergine & Mango - a perfect summer salad Meeta K Wolff always comes up with something brilliant when I want to match one of my wines to her sublime food.  Always exciting,  always colourful, always packed with flavour.  Here is the perfect summer's day salad. Preparation Time 30

February 4th, 2015|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Pork Sirloin Steaks with Apple, Prune & Cider Sauce

Pork Sirloin Steaks with Apple, Prune & Cider Sauce What you’ll need 3 pork sirloin steaks about 3cm thick sunflower oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 Tbs butter 2 Golden Delicious Apples, peeled, cored and diced 20 prunes sliced rind of half a lemon 1 stick cinnamon 500ml cider Oryx Desert Salt

November 7th, 2014|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , |
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Garlic roasted chicken with cauliflower puree – Alida Ryder

Alida Ryder's Garlic Roasted Chicken with Cauliflower Purée Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 45 mins Total time 1 hour Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients for the roast chicken 4-6 fresh chicken leg portions (drumstick attached to thigh) 2 tablespoons butter salt & pepper to taste 10 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh

October 29th, 2014|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Braai’ed Rump Steak with Garlic Butter – Jan Braai

Jan Braai's Beef Rump off the Braaiserved with Garlic Butter Steak is a unique animal that needs to be braaied on extremely hot coals to sear the outside while keeping the inside medium rare and juicy. This poses a problem when you’re braaing a variety of meat, as the steak needs to go

September 25th, 2014|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , , |
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Chicken & Chorizo Casserole – Ina Paarman

Ina Paarman's Chicken & Chorizo Casserole Serves 4 - 5 An excellent main course dish. For a family meal replace the Spanish Chorizo sausage with salami or good frankfurters and add 1½t (7.5ml) of paprika to the dish, when you add the sausage. Ingredients 4 chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks Ina Paarman's Cajun

August 18th, 2014|Categories: Recipes|Tags: Ina Paarman, , |
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Braai Rub by Petro Meintjies of The Pretty Blog

Petro Meintjies's Braai Rub for The Pretty Blog If you haven’t come across the success story that is The Pretty Blog, I would suggest you get over there toute de suite and subscribe to their daily posting. Their work is stunningly beautiful and I spend a few moments each morning just being transported.

June 20th, 2014|Categories: Recipes|Tags: , Petro Meintjies, , The Pretty Blog, Yolande Marx|
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Oldenburg – beauty in Banghoek

The Oldenburg Vineyards, Rondekop to the right I remet Adrian Vanderspuy, the owner of Oldenburg at a tasting of the Estate’s wines recently and he said “you used to drive round Stellenbosch in a sports car in the late 1960s!”  I did - and the sports car was a white Triumph TR3 in

June 24th, 2013|Categories: Winery partners|Tags: , South African Wines, Stellenbosch|
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