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!

Guests comments after visiting Excelsior

A guest review on Excelsior Manor Guest House on the Portfolio website. www.portfoliocollection.com

We found the Excelsior Manor very comfortable in the most attractive old Dutch Cape House. The room was large and the swimming pool a good size for the number of guests. We had dinner on three evenings which was of a very high standard and breakfast by the pool made an excellent start to the day. It was nice to stay on a working winery.

Hands on Harvest 24 - 26 Feb 2012

The Robertson Wine Valley is proud to host it's fourth Hands-on Harvest festival. This boutique event will take place 24 – 26 February 2012 and offers wine aficionados and budding vintners a chance to experience the magic of harvest for a day – without having to quit their day jobs!

Guests can look forward to: * Grape Picking * Bunch Sorting * Stomping your own grapes * Grape vs Wine Tasting * Harvest Market * Vineyard Tractor Trips * Must tasting * Wine blending experience * Wine tasting by Horse Cart…. and much more.

Celebrate love this Leap Year at Excelsior Manor

HEART TO HEART VALENTINE GET AWAY SPECIAL
Always wanted to blend your own bottle of Wine?
Here is a great way to share that bottle of wine with the one you love. At Excelsior Manor Guesthouse, this Valentine month we have a wonderful special of R650 per person sharing per night. This includes wine blending, a romantic dinner overlooking the
This offer is valid from 01 – 14 February 2012 (subject to availability)
Book now to avoid disappointments. Tel: (023) 615 2050
Email: cellar@excelsior.co.za
vineyards and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Medieval function

In December, we put together a Medieval function for a client. This company booked the entire guesthouse for their year-end function and they loved the medieval theme. Here are some pics of the evening.