Hi Everybody,

Well here we are half way through March already – where does the time go???
The Argus is behind me, though it was very much into me last Sunday, and hopefully the dreadful fires that have ravaged the Winelands this year are a thing of the past. We are certainly indebted to the fire-fighting crews, and to the staff of the affected farms for their incredible efforts over the last few weeks. It was quite eerie at times waking up to a thick cloud of smoke hanging over the Helderberg, like an old London fog.

But now we can move forward, and the winemaking teams can get back to their proper jobs, ensuring that we get the best out of what promises to be a good vintage.
Whilst we won’t have any 2009 wines to taste for a few months yet, we do have the following tastings lined up over the next few weeks:

SATURDAY WINE TASTINGS
21 March – Saronsberg and Freedom Hill
28 March – Post House
4 April – Le Pommier (Zorgvliet)
11 April – Under Oaks
18 April – Cederberg
25 April – Beyerskloof

These are free tastings that take place between 12 -3 pm, and will include a range of wines from each farm. No need to book, you can just come along and taste, and buy at the special discounted prices that apply to the wines on promotion!


MEET-THE-WINEMAKER DINNERS

The following Meet-The-Winemaker Dinners have been lined up:
25 MARCH – BILTON WINES
Boasting a wide range of 4* wines in the latest Platter’s, Mark Bilton, the owner, Rudi de Wet, the Winemaker, and Consultant Giorgio Dalla Cia, continue to impress, especially with their red wines.
Situated in the “Golden Triangle” on Annandale Road, and with such illustrious neighbours as Rust-en-Vrede and Alto, they are certainly well-positioned to exploit the special terroir of the region.
We can definitely look forward to a great evening.
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL – COST R150pp incl 2 course dinner, tea/coffee and Service Fee. Time 6.30/7.00pm

29 APRIL – ANURA (Pizza & Pasta evening)
20 MAY – CATHERINE MARSHALL
24 JUNE – CEDERBERG

The Anura evening will include a starter, followed by a pizza or pasta of your choice, and tea/coffee. This evening will be priced at R110 incl. A reminder about this, and the subsequent dinners, will be sent out nearer the time.

CAPE WINE ACADEMY COURSES
We are again hosting the Cape Wine Academy South African Wine Course.
The Course commences on Mon 4th May, from 18h00-20h00, for 3 weeks, followed by a brief test. The course includes the different styles of wine, tutored tastings, and is a great way to get started in the Wonderful World of Wine! Booking is essential, through the Cape Wine Academy. Contact them on 021 889 8844, or on www.capewineacademy.co.za

BUSINESS NETWORK BREAKFASTS
Business Networks offer great opportunities to communicate, learn and share, giving you the opportunity to not only promote your own business, but to come into contact with other entrepreneurs whose skills might well be needed in your business. The Somerset West Business Network meets at Manuka on a monthly basis, with the next meeting on Weds 8th April. Contact Caroline Malherbe on 076 020 3615 or caroline@khensi.co.za for further details. The Strand Business Network meets at Surfside Restaurant and the next meeting is Weds 15th April. Contact Sylvia Malinovski on 079 139 3808 or homeoffice@adept.co.za


GENERAL
Don’t forget to pop in to Life is Good for their great range of casual and childrens’ clothing.

We are hosting the Sunflower Fund Ladies Day Breakfast next Tuesday, 24th March, but this event is completely sold out!


That’s more than enough for now, I think.

With Easter just around the corner, please note that we are closed on Good Friday, but we are open for the rest of the holiday period as usual.

Best wishes from us all at Southeys @ Manuka,

Stephen, Alison & Morné

087 808 2013
southeys@manuka.co.za