Riesling Rocks at Hartenburg Wine Estate

Head off to Stellenbosch for live music and a gastronomic feast

Head down to Hartenberg Wine Estate in the Stellenbosch Winelands on Saturday, 11 February 2012, and enjoy some of the finest flagship Weisser/Rhine Rieslings from top cellars paired with superb deli fare at the inaugural Riesling Rocks festival.

Some of the Cape’s best purveyors of fine deli food will be providing delicious treats to enjoy with the wines, whilst local musicians will set a festive tone with live music for this singular Winelands wine and food experience.

Besides Hartenberg’s own standout Riesling, which clinched Gold medals at both the Five Nations Challenge in Australia and the Veritas Wine Awards last year, other iconic cellars will also be showcasing their cellar gems. Some of the well-known Rieslings that are sure to rock your world include wines of Deetlefs Estate, Howard Booysen, Jordan, De Wetshof, Klein Constantia, Paul Cluver, Thelema and Groote Post.

Treat your tastebuds
Chefs from various restaurants, bistros and cafés will bring foods to life to entice palates and complement this exceptional cultivar. Christophe Dehosse from Joostenberg Deli & Bistro will prepare foods typical to the Alsace area such as Tarte flambée and a range of salads and smoked meats, while Sue Baker from the Wild Peacock will be treating you to her wild oysters and other exotic dishes. Marco Nico from Roca Restaurant will perform magic with his famous tapas dishes such as anchovies marinated in white wine and chillies, humus, marinated calamari and much more. For sushi lovers, pairing different styles by Takumi Sushi with Riesling is a must! There will also be a great selection of gourmet cheeses as well as delicious desserts and fruit tarts by Café Des Arts.

Possibly the most versatile of all wines, Riesling can be enjoyed with practically any food. Dry style Rieslings meld beautifully with a wide range of dishes from smoked chicken, sushi and gravadlax to oysters, antipasti, humus and olives. Off-dry Rieslings make excellent pairings with spicier foods such as Thai prawns, chorizo or even herring and rollmops.

Tickets cost R120 per person, including a wine glass and are available either directly from Hartenberg Estate or online through webtickets.

Here’s an overview of harvest festivals taking place throughout summer in the Cape Winelands.

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