Wine tasting review

So Syrah has an identity crisis, but what are you supposed to do about it? That’s a good question, and the answer is quite limited by the information that is offered to you. After all, it is with this information that you are able to make decisions and choices worth talking about.

Kudos to Cline for not only making a terrific Syrah, but for pointing out that a certain bottling of theirs is a Cool Climate Syrah. This particular bottle, I tasted three Syrah wines from Cline, turned out to be that which I preferred. Stating that something is Cool Climate is the sort of information I would like to see more of.

Cline’s Estate Syrah also made this list. The Estate is both more expensive than the Cool Climate bottling and more intense.

On the flip side, Excelsior, who has consistently produced a fine value, seems to have moved from using the Shiraz moniker to Syrah. While this wine is delicious, to my palate it is made more in the Shiraz style. I would appreciate knowing this sort of thing before plunking down its modest price.

We’re going to need more help from the industry if we are to sort out this identity crisis. In the meantime, I hope the notes that follow guide you toward wines that appeal to your palate!

TAKEN FROM: http://www.snooth.com/articles/top-syrah-wines-dollar-12-dollar-25/?utm_campaign=5392&utm_medium=email&utm_source=all&utm_content=11206

Corporate Responsibility: With people in mind

• With a high national unemployment rate, at Excelsior grapes are harvested by hand only due to the social responsibility that they have towards their longstanding labour force.
• There is a rugby field on the farm, which is the home of the “Evergreen Team”, which is 100 years old
• The hall is used as a church

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• The honey produced on the farm, known as “Hendrick’s Honey” is a BEE project.
• The Farm Workers also managed their own cattle on the farm.
• A full time remedial teacher, who teaches at the school 4 days a week, is paid by Excelsior.
• The Farm Workers run their own stall on the farm during the “Whacky Wine Weekend”.

A Review from TripAdvisor for Excelsior Manor

BLISS IN THE VINEYARDS

After a very busy, hot business day in Robertson it was bliss to enter the cool Cape Dutch manor house at Excelsior Wine Estate. The hospitality was outstanding and we were instantly into a sparkling pool with an ice-cold glass of wine waiting. Next we took a little tour of the vineyards in the golf cart, accompanied by the farm collie dog and finally ended the evening with a delicious meal in the dining room. Thanks for the genuine hospitality Carin.

Taken from: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g469394-d1489483-r124867524-Excelsior_Manor_Guesthouse-Robertson_Western_Cape.html

END OF SUMMER SPECIAL

Valid from 01 March to 31 March 2012

Sunset Concert

ROMANZ & NIANELL "'n Duisend Drome" @ Excelsior Wine Estate

DATE: 25 February 2012

Location: Excelsior Wine Estate, Robertson

Cost: R120 p.p
Description: Experience the magic of harvest without having to quit your day job!

· Pluk en trap van druiwe
· Versny en botteleer jou eie wyn

Excelsior will be hosting Romanz & Nianell, promoting their "'n Duisend Drome" album in the garden of Excelsior Manor Guesthouse.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic and blanket for the event.
Excelsior Wine will be for sale at the premises. If you would like us to organise a picnic for you, please send us an email ernma@excelsior.co.za and we will gladly forward you a booking form and menu.

This annual outdoor concert is held in benefit of the Robertson and Ashton Vryburgers charity project: Thula-Thula.

Vir besprekings kontak Ernma by 023 6151980 – of stuur 'n epos na Ernma@excelsior.co.za

Hand Picking Harvest in February

HARVEST TIME AT EXCELSIOR!!

The grapes are picked by hand on Excelsior Wine Farm. They do not use any insecticides and there are therefore loads of spiders and insects in the vineyards.

The tractor driver in the picture has invented a wire aerial to break the many cobwebs that he encounters when driving through the vineyards. This is the perfect way to prevent the cobwebs getting into his eyes.

No harvesting machinery is used to harvest the grapes on Excelsior Wine Farm which prevents any damage to the ecology and ensures the employment of the farm workers.

Small towns rescue SA wine

Small wine-producing towns in the Western Cape are keeping the local industry afloat, according to a report on Sunday.

The Weekend Argus Sunday edition reported that vineyards in towns such as Worcester and Robertson (where Excelsior Estate is located), along with smaller towns along the Breede and Olifants rivers, outperformed traditional regions like Stellenbosch and Paarl.

These areas were planting more vineyards, according to the 2011 Vinpro survey on production costs and profitability of nine wine region and 258 provincial wine farmers.

Last year, these areas produced 20 tons of grapes per hectare compared with eight tons in Stellenbosch and Paarl.

The industry had suffered losses as a result of tough economic conditions, but was being kept out of the red by smaller producers.

According to Vinpro figures in the report, the vineyards along the two rivers had an average net income of R18,400 per hectare.

The national net income was R5400 last year.

Taken from iafrica.com
http://business.iafrica.com/news/779466.html

Another great review for Excelsior Manor Guesthouse

Taken from TripAdvisor
“What a gem of a place in the heart of the vineyard!”

Reviewed February 13, 2012 NEW

We cannot recommend the Excelsior Manor Guesthouse enough! Unfortunately we only had one night there and so wished we had booked for at least 2! The setting is so lovely! The room we had (the best one, called Octavius) was very large with really high ceilings, very comfortable and had everything we needed. Lovely pool and deck. Excellent service and very friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Carin was wonderful - nothing was too much for her! We had a lovely drive around the estate on the golf buggy which was a lovely way to get around.
A really nice chat the the owners in the early evening over a glass of their stunning Sav Blanc (and the Paddock Shiraz was exceptional too!) reminded us that it is a private estate with the family keeping in close touch all the time. The really interesting wine tour was conducted bt Jacques, a son who was in no hurry to get rid of us! They certainly know how to build loyal to their estate and their exceptional wines!
We really loved this place and will tell everyone about it! And above all, we can't wait to go back and will be ordering lots of their wines to be delivered to our home in Plett for many years to come!

Room Tip: As mentioned already choose Octavius the best room! Worth the extra money!