As the year draws to a close, here’s a wee list of some of my favorite wine moments of the year

Top 3 Events:
Saronsberg portfolio tasting at the Cape Grace Hotel (NWaterford)
It had it all. The venue. The wines. The food. The latter was perfectly matched with the wines and it was so unbelievably pleasant that I overstayed my welcome and had to be dragged out by the chef. Just kidding. But it could happen.

Spier Creative Block “Journey of the renewed Spier experience” (go4word)
Who doesn’t love a segway trip through proteas and vineyards whilst watching eagles flying above your head and being educated on Spier’s sustainable practices. Add a night at the hotel, yummy dinner and a chance to taste some stellar wines…no contest. (Plus, Prince, the Segway guide, is super cool)

Botrivier weekend getaway (Melissa Nelson)
If you’re still bragging about a media event then chances are it was amazeballs. I might have put on a couple of extra pounds from all the food I consumed but it was worth it. The husband and I went full tourist and you can read all about our adventure here

Top 3 wines:
Graham Beck Blanc de Blanc 2009 (every vintage of GB Blanc de Blanc is beautiful and I was honoured to be a part of a vintage tasting)
Steenberg Semillon (I could live off of that stuff)
Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner (just because it’s weird and wonderful)
(Special ADDED entry goes to Thorne and Daughters Rocking Horse Cape White 2013 which I’m adding in now because I just drank a bottle and it made me deliriously happy so there)
Top 3 morsels of food that I stuffed my face with:
Terrine of aubergine, tomato and baby marrow at the new Carne in Constantia
Smiling valley marron, fennel panna cotta, coriander oil emulsion and asparagus by chef Gergory Czarnecki of Waterkloof…I think he might be part wizard
Sweet corn soup and MCC jelly cubes from chef Pieter at Leopard’s Leap paired with their MCC (See here for more details)
Top 3 moments of the year:
Sipping on vintages of Oldenburg’s Cabernet Franc as part of the Come Sit, Stay, Savour Stellenbosch media event
Being a part of the #SecretStellies initiative to discover the hidden gems of the Stellenbosch wine route
Spending a weekend in Robertson celebrating Rooiberg’s 50th birthday (see pics here)
Thank you to all the wineries and PR agencies for a splendid year – see you in 2015