Heading of to South Africa next week for a vacation including a tour of Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl - anyone have recommendations for "must visit" wineries (needn't be for Shiraz.....)?

whatever you do, stay away from the pinotage

Shiraz .... Syrah...
Must try and get Shiraz off my mind....

As a South African and now Australian wine trader,I feel the Cape Region is the most spectacular in the world.
The Cape Wineries are really close together and you can accomplish so many in a day that there is no simple answer to the question.
Why not pop into Vaughan Johnsons wine shop on the Waterfront, run through those wines he lists as must haves [Carolines wine cellar] same location. Pick up a map and off you go.
They drive like lunatics there so watch out.
Ken Forrester winery road 49 I think has a great restaurant out side STellenbosch.
John Platter has his wine guide, maps are plentful and people very helpful.
Mulderbosch for Sav blanc, L 'avenir for Reds, Boekenhoutskloof, La Motte, Rust en Vreede, Backsberg, Meerlust,are the well known producers 100s more.
enjoy

Desperately Seeking Shiraz:

Visit an official site with all the informarion you need:

http://www.wine.co.za

Max
wines@andeswines.com

Max and Mark,
Many thanks for your responses - I will post a report here in about a month.

If you go to Michele Laroche Winery, try to visit the winemaker Tinus Els.

and...marklcohen ...where do you live right now?

Max
wines@andeswines.com

Max,
I tracked down Vaughan's website from your recommendation http://www.vaughanjohnson.com/ - an excellent resource. We are staying at Cape Grace so I will be sure to drop in.

quote:

John Platter

Ditto on the Platter book.

What´s your email Desperately Seeking Shiraz?

I would like to ask you few things.

Max
wines@andeswines.com

Max,
I have sent my contact details via the Andes Wines website/contact form.

I haven't been there, but I drink a lot of SA wine, and the following producers stand out to me:

Spice Route (excellent syrah and pinotage)
Hamilton Russell (world-class pinot noir and chard)
Rust en Vrede (great cab/syrah blend)
Mulderbosch (particularly fond of their whites, chenin blanc, sauv blanc and chardonnay)

Hope you have a great trip.