March 2012........
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The harvest is almost done!
The harvest is almost done! We are now in the last straight and holding thumbs that the excellent weather we have had this season holds out for one more week. This year's harvest has been really good- we have had extremely healthy grapes and the crop loads have been in balance resulting in the wine showing great colours and good flavours. All the hard work we did in spring- suckering, tipping, topping and breaking out excess bunches- have paid off.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Wine Walks from Excelsior
Join us for our wine walks!! They can be booked through: Carin Visser at 023 615-2050 or guesthouse@excelsior.co.za
DAY 1 - GOUDMYN WALK:
Depart from Excelsior Manor and follow the Cogmanskloof river down to its confluence with the Breede River. At this point there is a weir across the river and the workings of the irrigation system in Robertson district will be explained. From here it is a short walk to Van Loveren for wine tasting, followed by another short walk to De Wetshof Estate and a tasting at the HOUSE OF CHARDONNAY.
From De Wetshof the walk ambles through vineyards and crosses over the Breede River were the hikers can enjoy the coolness and birdlife. The trail continues along the foothills of the Elandsberg Mountains, with a panoramic view over the Goudmyn area. Down to the river once again, where hikers will be picked up by the Viljoensdrift riverbarge for a trip to the opposite bank where a well-earned picnic lunch and wine tasting will be waiting.
Leaving Viljoensdrift it is a leisurely walk back to Excelsior where a hot shower or bath will be awaiting.
DAY 2 - ZANDVLIET WALK:
After a Scrumptious breakfast at the Manor house, hikers leave the guesthouse in a south easterly direction walking through vineyards and orchards, and climb gently to the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains, where the spectacular view of the Breede River Valley towards Robertson will blow your mind away.
The hike continues downhill to the Zandvliet Estate, birth place of the famous race horse Pocket Power, where hikers will be treated with the wines of Zandvliet and a lunch.
Leaving Zandvliet hikers will need to cross the Cogmanskloof river on their way to Arabella. Here hikers will enjoy their second wine tasting of the day.
From Arabella it is down the road to Excelsior Wine Estate for a tutored wine tasting and to blend and bottle your "Own Creation" bottle of wine. 
DAY 3 - KLAASVOOGDS WALK
This hike starts about 4 km from Excelsior and winds its way up the valley towards the Langeberg Mountains. Along the way, the hikers can visit the well known Cactus farm - Sheilam - (biggest succulent garden in the Southern Hemisphere) followed by Rusticus Estate which is a boutique winery , known for its vintage wine machinery. From here the hikers amble up to Klaasvoogds river towards Kranskop Estate with its stunning view down the valley.
Lunch will be served at Kranskop followed by an hour walk back to the vehicles.
From here guests can either leave Robertson or spend another couple of days at Excelsior to explore Robertson & the neighbouring towns. 
WINE WALK COSTING
Price is R3 900 per person for the three day package.
Including, Breakfast, Picnic lunches, Dinner & wine. Excluding transport.
“Grand house with history and appeal”
A guest review from TripAdvisor
After a somehwat long and arduous trip from Plettenberg Bay on our way back to Tulbagh we were delighted to meet Carin who greeted us on our arrival and made us so very welcome for our two night stay. We cannot recommend this beautiful house enough. The rooms were large and airy and our bedroom opened out on to a terrace overlooking the vines. The magnificent setting of this property surrounded as it is by its own farm, vineyard and views across to the distant hills is spectacular. Our hostess could not have been more helpful and the dinner both nights was delicious. Anyone travelling in this area of Western Cape would be well advised not to miss a the opportunity to stay at this most unique and luxurious guest house.
Booking.com workshop
The General Manager of Excelsior Manor Guesthouse, (Carin Visser) recently attended a Booking.com workshop in Hout Bay. The purpose of the workshop was to show reservationists how to maximise bookings, rates and availability in order to provide the public withe easy access to bookings at Excelsior Manor.
Harvest time is over
Harvest and Blending experience at Excelsior Wine Estate’ - Hands on Harvest Festival from 24 to 25 Feb 2012.Well, harvest time was truly great this year. We had so many events and great days here at Excelsior during the Hands on Harvest Festival.
The Great Grape Escape race was a huge success as were the grape stomping and farm tours.The participants had a fun morning starting off with coffee and fresh mosbolletjies, then picking their own grapes, stomping them and learning to use a basket press. All did not end there. They could still Blend their Own Creation, as well as do a farm and cellar tour . After all this activity everyone relaxed with ‘a lovely bottle of Excelsior wine and a picnic.
We also had music group Romanz here with Nianell on a spectacular summer's evening and the audience were wowed by the scenery, the great weather and the music.
All in all, February and March have been busy and great fun at Excelsior!
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