Idiom Wines, recent Trophy winners at the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards in London, will be opening their Da Capo Vineyards property in Sir Lowry’s Pass to the public for the first time for a football-themed weekend during this years’ Stellenbosch Wine Festival, which will take place from 1-5 July. The Bottega family, who own the vineyards, are avid football fanatics, with both owner Alberto Bottega and son, Roberto, having played top level amateur football in their youth.
A new 5-a-side football pitch has been prepared in the middle of the vineyards, which features panoramic 270 degree views of the Helderberg basin, and the whole profile of the Cape Peninsula from Table Mountain to Cape Point can be seen across nearby False Bay on a clear day. The wine farm is located about 40 minutes drive from Cape Town, and is one of the southernmost vineyards in the Wine of Origin Stellenbosch appellation. Fifteen grape varietals, including four Italian varietals, are grown on the property.
Activities at Da Capo Vineyards during the Festival include:
* 5-a-side Supporters’ Football Tournament on the football field with vineyard vistas.
* 4-4-2 Football Formation Wine-Blending Theatre
* A Taste of Italy in the Cape.
(Idiom Italian varietal wines paired with taste size dishes prepared by acclaimed chef Gianni Mariano of Mastrantonio)
* Vertical Tasting of the award winning Idiom Bordeaux Blends
* Boules Competition
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Festival Offerings & Events at da capo vineyards
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A taste of Italy in the Cape. A pairing of Idiom Italian varietal wines with Italian cuisine by celebrity chef Gianni Mariano of Mastrantonio.
Saturday 3rd July & Sunday 4th July, 11.30am - 4.00pm
To reflect their Italian heritage, the Bottega family grow 4 Italian varietals at Da Capo Vineyards, namely Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Primitivo. They have teamed up with Gianni Mariano of Mastrantonio restaurant on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival to offer taste size portions of different Italian dishes which will be prepared to match the wines.
TASTING MENU
Porcini Mille Foglie
Phyllo pastry layered with wild and porcini mushrooms sauteed in olive oil, and oven roasted red peppers
Matched with the Idiom Nebbiolo
Pasta Ortobosco
Napoletana based with baby marrow and aubergine
Matched with the Idiom Sangiovese
Seared Salmon with a citrus dressing
Minute seared with tyme, olive oil and black pepper, served with mange tout and baby carrots and a lemon and lime dressing
Matched with the Idiom Barbera
Trimmed Lamb with rosemary and a herb mash
Roasted lamb served with a sage and mint mash, topped with a rosemary jus
Matched with the Idiom Primitivo
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A vertical tasting of Idiom’s award winning Bordeaux Blend
Thursday 1 July 2010 to Monday 5 July 2010
The flagship blend of the Idiom Collection, Idiom’s 2006 Bordeaux has just won the Trophy for Best South African Bordeaux Blend in the over GBP10 category at the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards, Idiom’s most notable accolade to date. To celebrate this award, we are allowing guests to taste three vintages of our Bordeaux-style blends. Winemaker Reino Thiart, will be on hand to guide the vertical tasting sessions of the Bordeaux blends.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5-a-side Supporter’s - Football Tournament
Sunday 4 July 2010 & Monday 5 July 2010
The Idiom Collection of wines invites those with a passion for the beautiful game to participate in a fun 5-a-side Supporters football tournament on our newly prepared mini-pitch in the middle of our scenic vineyards in the Helderberg. Bring along your favourite national team shirt or simply come blow your vuvuzela while enjoying a glass of wine and watch the Dutch or Spanish fans take on the Italian supporter’s team or the Bafana hopefuls. For more info, visit our website. To enter a team contact Roberto on wine@idiom.co.za or call 083 678 2094 / 021 852 3590. Please try and enter early as we will only be accommodate a fixed number of teams at the tournament on Sunday and Monday.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Four-Four-Two Football themed Blending Sessions
Thursday 1 July 2010 to Monday 5 July 2010
For those who fancy their managerial skills, there will be a chance to make up some blends that match their favourite football formations. Compare a 4-4-2 (4 parts Cabernet, 4 parts Merlot and 2 parts Shiraz for example) to a 4-3-3 or a 3-5-2 and see which formation will prevail. Idiom produce wines of character and the aim of the guided session will be to help demystify the intricate world of blends by likening the characters of the different varietals to the characters of different positions on the football pitch. Cabernet Sauvignon often provides the backbone to a blend in the same way that defenders perform the same role in a team. Merlot can be liked to midfielders etc. Guests will be able to taste blends which represent the different formations.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DIRECTIONS
To get to Da Capo Vineyards from Somerset West, turn left at the Vergelegen medi-clinic, continue along the old Sir Lowry’s Pass road past Waterkloof into Sir Lowry’s Pass Village (past the sign to the N2) and then turn left towards Wedderwill. Drive for 2km along the brick road past the sports field. At the security entrance to Knorhoek farm proceed through the boom and follow the road until you reach the entrance to Da Capo Vineyards.
From Cape Town, drive along the N2 towards Sir Lowry’s Pass. At the new Sir Lowry’s Pass/Gordon’s Bay intersection, turn left and drive through Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, cross over the railway line and then turn right. Then turn left at the Wedderwill sign and follow the instructions above.
Costs for various activities during the day differ.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CONTACT:
Roberto Bottega, wine@idiom.co.za or Silvana Bottega, info@bottegafamilywine.co.za
