Winters Drift release latest vintages and launch new visitor activities

Wednesday, 23 April, 2014

Winters Drift

Winters Drift wines, grown on the historic Glen Elgin farm in the cool-climate Elgin Valley, release the 2013 vintages of their popular Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and continue their quest to broaden the visitor experience at the Tasting Station and Platform 1 Eatery.

So head out to the historic Elgin Station, which is home to Winters Drift wines, and relax ‘just off the spoor’, soaking up the rural bliss and old world charm. Enjoy the new Winters Drift wines and the ever-changing fine seasonal fare at the quaint railway-style café whilst your children revel safely in the new kiddies’ playground. Go French and end your meal with a game of boules and you might be lucky enough to see one of the grain-laden trains trundling past. And don’t miss the Elgin Cool Wine and Country Festival on 3rd May when Winters Drift and sixteen other Elgin wineries will be offering a day filled with fine wines, good food and plenty of entertainment for the whole family, between 09h30 and 17h00.

WINTERS DRIFT’S NEW VINTAGE RELEASES

Winters Drift Chardonnay 2013
Tasting notes: This partially wooded wine has a voluptuous nose displaying gorgeous aromas of ripe tangerine and honeydew melon with buttered toast, vanilla and marmalade undertones. The palate is full and rich and beautifully balanced by the lemony acidity which affords a delightful freshness to the wine, and the long finish displays ripe citrus notes. This wine will age well over the next three to four years.
Food pairing suggestions: Thai green chicken curry with lemon grass and ginger in a rich coconut sauce, or Smoked duck breast salad with peaches and toasted macadamia nuts drizzled with a creamy honey dressing.
Retail price: The Winters Drift Chardonnay 2013 is available nationally and retails at ±R97.

Winters Drift Pinot Noir 2013
Tasting notes: This wine delivers everything you expect from a young Pinot Noir, including an abundance of red cherries, varietal spice, truffles, forest floor notes and subtle oaking from 11 months in first and second-fill French oak. The palate is complex and satisfying with a softness that is unique to Pinot Noir. It will age well over the next three to five years.
Food pairing suggestions: Ostrich fillet with wild rice and a creamy porcini mushroom sauce, or Aubergine Parmigiana.
Retail price: The Winters Drift 2013 Pinot Noir is available nationally and retails at ±R120.

ELGIN COOL WINE AND COUNTRY FESTIVAL AT WINTERS DRIFT

On Saturday 3rd May, between 09h30 and 17h00, Winters Drift and several other Elgin wineries will be offering a day filled with fine wines, good food and plenty of entertainment for the whole family. Day Passes can be purchased on the day, at any of the participating wine farms or at the Elgin Tourism office, for just R50 per adult including all wine tasting and entertainment. Children enter free of charge. Breakfasts and teas will be available but all lunches need to be pre-booked and paid for in advance.

Winters Drift Festival Breakfast at Platform 1 Eatery
(09h30 until 11h00)
• Platform 1 Breakfast (R55) with two eggs, bacon, mushroom, sausage and tomato on toasted ciabatta bread
• Platform 1 Breakfast (R40) with an egg, bacon, mushroom, sausage and tomato on toasted ciabatta bread

Winters Drift Festival Lunch and All Day Menu at Platform 1 Eatery
• Rustic butternut soup with ciabatta (R45)
• Camembert wrapped in vine served with ciabatta and garden greens (R69)
• Festival basket: Jalapeño poppers with cream cheese, crunchy tempura vegetables, pear and blue cheese spring rolls, and crumbed chicken strips with sweet chilli sauce (R85)
• Home-made beef burger with caramelised onion and potato wedges (R70)

For lunch on 3rd May contact Dre Johnson on 082 379 2623 or platform1eatery@wintersdrift.com

For further information on the Elgin Cool Wine and Country Festival please visit http://ecwcf.elginwine.co.za/

WINTERS DRIFT’S OTHER WINES

Winters Drift Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Tasting notes: This wine is intensely fruity on the nose displaying gorgeous notes of soft pineapple, litchi, pear and white peach, as well as typical cool climate green vegetative aromas. On the palate, the wine has refreshing acidity and a lingering aftertaste that finishes with crisp green notes.
Retail price: The Winters Drift 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is available nationally and retails at ±R75.

Winters Drift Rosé 2012
Tasting notes: A refreshing dry Rosé made from Merlot grapes, it displays a lovely soft pink colour and is characterised by notes of fresh summer berries wrapped in floral overtones, most notably white and pink rose petals, with hints of candyfloss on the finish.
Retail price: The Winters Drift 2012 Rosé is available nationally and retails at ±R55.

Winters Drift Shiraz 2012
Tasting notes: The 2012 Shiraz exhibits a bright crimson colour with rich spices, lavender and soft oak on the nose and ripe red and purple berry flavours. The mouth-feel is given structure by ripe grape and oak tannins. The wine will age very well over the next three to five years.
Retail price: The Winters Drift 2012 Shiraz is available nationally and retails at approximately R99.

WHATSUP AT PLATFORM 1 EATERY

Platform 1, a must stop-off in Elgin, is now open on Sundays as well from 08h30 until 16h00.The experience is cosy and relaxed and the ever-changing blackboard menu offers delectable seasonally-inspired dishes, served on wooden boards, with a commitment to local and sustainable ingredients. The dishes are complemented by the Winters Drift range of fine wines which can be ordered by the glass or the bottle - at cellar door prices.

Platform 1 Eatery also offers:

• Koek en Tee: On Wednesdays as usual
• Music nights: A ticket for R170 per person includes the show, a light supper and a glass of Winters Drift wine.
Next up: Multi award winning cabaret artist Godfrey Johnson Live on Friday 25 April.
• Movie nights: At Platform 2 on Tuesdays. Tickets at R115 per head include a movie ticket and a delicious home-cooked meal. All bookings need to be made 24 hours in advance.
Next up: Tuesday, 29 April 2014 - The Selfish Giant
• Special events: Platform 1 Eatery will be hosting a Gourmet Mushroom Day, with mushroom guru Gary Goldman. Dates: 29 April, 30 April, 1 May and 2 May 2014. Each day will include a quick talk on mushrooms, mushroom foraging and lunch with a glass of Winters Drift wine.
Cost: R395 per person per day
For more details, visit www.mushroomguru.co.za

GREEN MOUNTAIN TRAIL

The Green Mountain Trail is a four day 60km slackpacking trail around the Groenlandberg. It is a walking experience that incorporates the changing landscape through fynbos, vines and orchards, and wine and food from the diverse farming area. The accommodation is four-star farm stays and the package includes full board, guiding, wine tastings, and transportation of baggage. Emy Mathews of Winters Drift presents the wine tasting on Day 1 at Porcupine Hills.
Contact: info@greenmountaintrail.co.za or 028 284 9827 or visit www.greenmountaintrail.co.za