Saturday 30 June 2012

De Hoop - Christmas in July 13-15 July 2012

Weekend Special: Lovely cosy and warm winter weekend special at de Hoop - R995 per cottage for four person sharing including a free guided bird walk. Traditional 5 course Christmas dinner R200 pp (children under 12 half price) with a complimentary Gluwein.
Sunday Lunch: Delicious Traditional Christmas Lunch at de Hoop in the cosy Fig Tree restaurant with a complimentary Gluwein R125 (children under 12 half price)
 


Friday 29 June 2012

Week 4 Winner!!

Week 4 Winner!! Chantal Oliver !

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Chantal Oliver ! The judges have selected your entry as this week’s winner!! They loved your descriptive paragraph ! You have won:
2 Night’s accommodation at CASCADE COUNTRY MANOR.  Your prize includes breakfast daily and two 30 min back & neck massages
The total value of this prize is R3200.00.
You are also in the final draw to win a 12 day trip for 2 people visiting Cape Country Routes properties worth over R 25 000.
 

Thursday 28 June 2012

VAN LOVEREN LAUNCHES ECO-FRIENDLY TANGLED TREE WINES



Wine lovers, those who care for the environment and those with a romantic constitution will be equally thrilled about the launch of Van Loveren’s enticing new range of wines, called Tangled Tree.  The five exciting wines not only pay tribute to a colourful family history, they also confirm the Retief’s commitment to sustainable wine making.  “These are generous wines,” says Van Loveren CEO, Phillip Retief. “They’re magnanimous towards Nature in their eco-friendly PET bottles and Treefree labels, liberal in their exciting flavours and especially easy on the pockets of consumers.”

The history
The famed tangled tree of Van Loveren, which served as inspiration for this new range, forms part of a tradition of planting trees which marked significant events and special occasions.  In 1941 Jean Retief ordered a Rhus Lancea tree from KwaZulu-Natal. Her husband Hennie was convinced that it was no different from the Karee that grew along their river and planted a shoot next to her tree. Their two identical trees have since intertwined into one magnificent tree which has come to symbolize their love for each other.

The wines
Soon South African shelves will be graced by five newcomers with mouth-watering names, such as Spicy Shiraz, Chocolate Cabernet Sauvignon, Butterscotch Chardonnay, Moscato Rosé and Tropical Sauvignon Blanc. Simply determine what flavour suits your occasion, menu or taste buds. 

The oak matured Chocolate Cabernet Sauvignon enchants the palate with delectable notes of chocolate and mocha, elegantly layered with hints of cassis and blackberries, while the Spicy Shiraz will boldly tempt you with its rich and powerful red berry soul. The spice on the palate is well integrated and the smooth, well structured tannins give cause for pure indulgence. The Moscato Rosé, made from 100% Red Muscadel grapes, is a romantic pink, aromatic wine with a luscious nose reminiscent of rose petals.

The Butterscotch Chardonnay, a lightly wooded, medium bodied white wine will delight with its aromas of butterscotch and crème brûlée, balanced by the subtle intensity of fruit. The crisp and fruity Tropical Sauvignon Blanc has abundant aromas of tropical fruit such as guava, melon and gooseberry – a wine for any occasion indeed.

A little greener every day
With the launch of Tangled Tree the Retief family has effectively stepped up its commitment to caring for the environment by decreasing their carbon footprint.  The fully recyclable, unbreakable PET bottle generates 50% less greenhouse emissions during the manufacturing process and enables wine lovers to enjoy a glass of their favourite tipple where glass bottles were previously not allowed (think picnics, hikes, river-rafting and music concerts). Using the innovative Treefree label, which is made from 100% renewable sugar cane fibre, gives further credence to their love of Nature.

Soon to be available from all major outlets, the easy-on-the-pocket retail price of R29.99 will only add to the desire to taste not one, but all five. So, don’t wait - become happily tangled in this veritable symphony for the senses!

Follow us on Twitter:
@tangledtree
@vanloverenwines

Wedding Congratulations to Julie & Craig from De Hoop

The Wedding weekend opened with a delicious Potjie dinner held at Figtree Restaurant Boma with a blazing fire under the stars, where guests spent the evening mingling & catching up. Saturday afternoon, the Wedding Ceremony played out under the Magnificent Fig Tree, and continued into the evening with fantastic celebrations in the picturesque gardens of De Hoop.
"Thank you for everything you did to make our Wedding weekend one that we will never forget" - Juls and Craig

Augusta de Mist in House & Garden Magazine



Wednesday 27 June 2012

Guest Feedback from De Hoop

Catherine Thompson's Visit to De Hoop…
We had the privilege of having Catherine Thompson's 80th Birthday at de Hoop on 12 April. Catherine visited de Hoop as a young girl around the 1930s. She is a most amazing and amusing woman and it was such fun to listen to her stories of her school holidays spent at de Hoop which she told with a twinkle in her eye with such a wonderful sense of humour. Catherine came to stay in the Opstal Manor house with her husband, Francis, organized for her by their daughter Anthea. We had a delicious birthday cake with her made by the Fig Tree kitchen. 
 

Petrus & Michelle return to De Hoop for their 1st Wedding Anniversary… Wishing you both many, many more special years!

 
Karin Swart' Birthday celebration – at Figtree Restaurant with friends Elna van Rooyen & Saartjie Neethling.
 

De Hoop Fathers' Day Weekend Family Affair… with Ivano Ivanov

DeZeekoe starts refurbishment and horse riding.


We are going to renovate the old hatchery at De Zeekoe into a Farmstay-style backpackers accommodation.

At the moment we are upgrading all the rooms and decorating with with new curtains and Persian carpets!

We will also have 3 rooms that will be totally wheelchair friendly and 4 rooms that will be interleading for families.

Other exciting news is that we are going to be introducing our horse riding facilities and activities soon!

Monday 25 June 2012

Events in Oudtshoorn


If you are planning to visit Oudtshoorn in the next few months, here is a list of upcoming events in the town.  Come and stay at De Zeekoe and let us pamper you and show you all that Oudtshoorn has to offer!

JULY      
Pizza & Drinks  6th July  Kaalgat Kudu- De Rust 044-241 2041
De Rust Boeremark 7th July House Martin 044-241 2214
Wijnhuis Market 7th July  Oudtshoorn Wijnhuis 044-272 8660
Winter Ball 20th July Laerskool Wesbank 044-279 1731
AUGUST      
Pizza & Drinks  3rd August Kaalgat Kudu- De Rust 044-241 2014
De Rust Boeremark 4th August House Martin 044-241 2214
Wijnhuis Market 4th August Oudtshoorn Wijnhuis 044-272 8660
Klein Karoo Klassique 9th-12th August Central Oudtshoorn 044-203 8600
Drylands-Stormriver Traverse 3 Day MTB Stage  10th-12th August Stormriver 082 379 1177
4x4 Dag 18th August NG Kerk De Rust 044-241 2014
Kermis  31st August Laerskool Wesbank 044-279 1731
SEPTEMBER      
De Rust Boeremark 1st September House Martin 044-241 2214
Wijnhuis Market 1st September Oudtsoorn Wijnhuis  044-272 8660
National Volley Tournament 9 – 15 September  Oudtshoorn  
NG Moederkerk Prettrap 15th September Stolsvlaktes 044-272 3130
Annual Scale Fly in (Cango Flying Club) 27 – 30 September Oudtshoorn  

Friday 22 June 2012

Week 3 Winner!! Nicolette Nunes!

Week 3 Winner!! Nicolette Nunes!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Nicolette Nunes! The judges have selected your entry as this week’s winner!! They loved your paragraph and the fact that you canvassed for so many LIKES! You have won: 2 Night’s accommodation for 2 people sharing at EVERGREEN MANOR & SPA. Your prize includes accommodation for 2 nights in a King Room, breakfast and a cellar passport which entitles you to a Brandy Tasting, Champagne tasting and Wine Tasting at 2 different cellars in Stellenbosch.
The total value of this prize is R3900.00.
You are also in the final draw to win a 12 day trip for 2 people visiting Cape Country Routes properties worth over R 25 000.
5 000.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Welcome to Christina's @ Van Loveren


Relax with a glass of your favourite Van Loveren wine or freshly squeezed juice in the shade of our vineyard pergola ‘stoep’ and savour our thin crust wood-fired Pizzas, Gourmet Burgers, Salads or sensational Sweets. 
All items on our menu are made from scratch right here, and we pride ourselves on using local products and keeping our food-miles to a minimum. 
We are also OPEN on Sundays when local musicians set the tone for a laid-back afternoon, lazily feasting on good food and great wine. 

Consider yourself invited!