The West Coast Way Foodie Route’s Wine Gem is Ormonde Wines.
Written by Christine Bernard Photography by Warren Bernard 2018
You can’t visit Darling without enjoying a Wine Tasting Experience at Ormonde Wines, a farm that prides itself on creating wines that offer characteristics of their environment. They’re passionate about Darling and believe in making wines that showcase the area.
We arrived during one of the biggest storms that Cape Town had seen in a while. We were half way through taking pictures of the beautiful swans grazing the lawn when there was a downpour, and we ran to get inside. Lucky for us, being indoors just meant that we could start our wine tasting – the perfect antidote for a rainy day. The electricity might have gone off, but the wine helped us forget about the weather outside.
Wine Tasting Experience at Ormonde Wines
We met with co-owner, Berinda Basson, who was kind enough to create a special wine tasting for us. She explained their love affair with Darling and Yzerfontein, and how the mist that rolls off the sea, creates the perfect environment to produce such beautiful wines.
We started off our Wine Tasting Experience at Ormonde Wines with two white wines. Chip Off the Old Block Sauvignon Blanc (a name I adored), is a single vineyard wine, which offers a more fruity, tropical flavor. It has elements of fig and gooseberry. It was fresh and smooth, and easy to drink. The Ondine, Sauvignon Blanc, is a great wine to showcase the grapes in the area. It has elements of asparagus that comes through, it has a more complex earthy flavour. Berinda described the wine like a ballet – it’s elegant and beautiful, but, in order to produce this, a lot of hard work went on behind the scenes.
Once we were finished with the whites, we went onto the reds. We tried a few different varieties, and we enjoyed them all. It’s unusual to try so many different types of wines, and to enjoy each one of them. But that’s what Ormonde is all about – their wines are delicate, intricate, and yet easy to drink. My personal favourite (of which I immediately bought a bottle of), was the Ondine Cabernet Franc. It’s 100% Cabernet Franc, and by far the most interesting of all the wines I tasted that day. It has a unique character, which is soft, friendly and fruity, and a wine I could imagine enjoying at any occasion.
After our tasting, we headed outside, and saw that the storm had passed. It had now turned into the perfect afternoon for us to enjoy one of the best artisanal platters I’ve ever eaten. An array of local delicacies, including pate, cheese, meats, and bread. Due to the power outage, we were unable to try some of the cooked meals, but it wasn’t necessary at all. The platter was delicious and filling and perfect for our Wine Tasting Experience at Ormonde Wines.
We’re looking forward to going back again. We have our eye on the chocolate pairing next, but I’m almost certain we’ll stay long enough to have another food platter too.
Also, the name Christine is important to the owners, and if you have a look at the back of the Cabernet Franc, you’ll see why. So naturally, I now feel an affinity towards Ormonde that will keep me coming back. Book your own Wine Tasting Experience at Ormonde Wines the next time you are in Darling!
Distance from Cape Town: 76km
Find them on the West Coast Way Culture and Foodie Routes
Where: Mount Pleasant Street, Darling
Contact: 082 8392 956 | [email protected] | www.ormonde.co.za
Written by Christine Bernard Photography by Warren Bernard
Photos by Warren Bernard (www.flatwhiteimages.com)
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.