What to have for dinner - Bruce Jack

To impress your girlfriend/boyfriend’s parents at your first dinner.

Mischa Shiraz 2007, R120 (021 864 1020). This wine is almost hedonistic. I feel a little guilty when drinking this as it tastes too damn delicious. It was born in the mountain vineyards above Wellington on granitic-based soils, which Shiraz just loves. It’s hand-crafted by third-generation farmer Andrew Barns on the family farm, which also happens to be the most forward-thinking vine nursery in the country. These guys understand vines and vineyards. It shows in this wine, which is worth R300 a bottle.
Full article:http://bit.ly/brucejack
Bruce Jack is the chief winemaker for Constellation South Africa.

Andrew & Rachels Wedding at Mischa - Uncorked

The below is post by Neil Pendock following Andrew and Rachel's wedding

To see more pics go to:http://bit.ly/ctOI6I

Weddings and Divorces

Off to the Groenberg outside Wellington yesterday for the wedding of the season between glamorous Seattle shoe-sales stunner Rachel Carrigan and Apollonian Andy Barns, winemaker and self-taught engineer at Mischa Estate. The knot was tied in the cellar by an Ali G and Ayn Rand quoting Presbyterian minister cum psychologist and I could swear the wedding march is on the Buddha Bar CD. Although the joke about “ek het jou lief” being Afrikaans for “I love you” or what Adam said to Eve in the garden of Eden “I have your leaf” went over my head. But it was the Garden of Eden we were certainly in with temptations aplenty, not least of which was Mike Ratcliffe of Warwickfame, pouring down-downs of tequila shooters. The food was unexpectedly good (goats’ cheese starter, truffle stuffed chicken and then chocolate mousse) but when I was told the chef was Margot Janse’s husband, I was not surprised as Margot has something of a reputation in the kitchens of the Quartier Français in Franschhoek.

All this matrimony brought on talk of divorce with the rumour circulating that Schalk Burger was seeking support for a divorce of Wellington from the Paarl wine appellation. As a prelude to declaring Voor Groenberg, Blouvlei,Wellington and the Bovlei Valley as separate wards, presumably.

Lots of changes underway in the Bovlei. London-based financial whizz Dave Kerrison has bought Graham Knox’sjust under 100ha Siyabonga spread from the liquidator and the advertized 20 ha vines, turned out to be 16. Now back under its original name Klein Doolhof, it will be farmed as a unit along with dad Dennis’ Doolhof operation. At Doolhof senior, their new boutique hotel decorated by Dorothy, Dave’s mum (the Kerrisons love the letter “D” – even the farm manager of Doolhof is Daan) is finally complete although Dennis is moaning much better that he has to pay to stay-over when the drive back to his Waterfront berth becomes too demanding. Something Rachel’s American family didn’t have to do. Although as her dad is a Bill Clinton look-alike retired hedge fund manager fromIdaho, I’m sure accommodation at Doolhof would not have posed a pocket-book problem.

Mischa rocks it at the Michelangelo Awards

The Michelangelo International Wine Awards (MIWA), widely regarded as one of the wine competitions with the most credibility in South Africa.

After taking a break from entering competitions in 2008 we are very excited to have been two gold medals by this prestigious competition for our:

Mischa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Eventide Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2008

We are also very exited to get this recognition Sauvignon Blanc which we have put a lot of work into over the last few years and are pushing the viticultural envelope with some of our extreme management practices!

Our Awseome Soils

This is a profile hole in our Shiraz vineyard. Notice the loamy top soil and the sub soild of decomposed granite and gravel. Begin on the slopes of Groenberg we are blessed to be on some of the oldest, most weatherd soils in the winelands. These ancient soils give our wines there distinct and complex flavour profile of both fruit and minerality.

Derek Smedley MW rates Mischa wines

Derek Smedley MW

Derek Smedley MW, is one of the most experienced members of the wine trade as a consultant to merchants and producers and as a director of the Wine Challenge. Derek is also popular Wine Guide

Here are his ratings of some of our wines after tasting at LWTF 2009:

Eventide Viognier 2008

91 Points

There is a lovely perfume on the nose with white peach giving fragrance whilst apricot is there giving more weight. The fruit feels ripe fleshing out the mid palate but there is an attractive lime freshness that enhances the perfumed fruit character

Shiraz 2007

90 Points

The black fruits are very much in evidence on the nose but behind them are some fresh red, raspberry and cherry spiced up by black pepper. The fruit feels ripe and this sweeter character comes through gives some richness to the finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

89 Points

The nose is a bit tight at first but as it opens up the powerful blackcurrant character comes out. Rich sloe lends weight to the mid palate but towards the back is fresher fruit, bilberry and cherry and they give a lighter feel to the finish.

Stunning winters day.

Just took this shot from in front of the winery. What a glorius winters day in the Cape. Makes up for all the rain!

A cool picture I took of the cellar on my phone, who knew it could actually be so useful?