Guests aboard the Paddle Cruiser vessel were sipping the last fragments of light as the sun slipped insouciantly behind the Knysna Heads and we sailed to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, on the other side of the Knysna estuary.
Multi-award winning master winemaker and owner of Beyerskloof Wines, Beyers Truter was our host. He's famous for being one of the best-known makers of the distinctive grape variety Pinotage and we were to enjoy an evening of story telling, wine tasting and fish braaing in his company.
After docking at the nature reserve we made our way to wooden tables and chairs clustered under a canopy of lacy green leaves. Wine stewards charged our glass goblets with red and white wines and before long the microclimate around our table of merry wine tasters produced enough effervescence to carbonate a cellar of sparkling wine.
Between braaing snoek over open coals and casual conversation about whether screw caps are better than corks or whether one should store wine bottles lying down or standing up, Beyers regaled us with wine making stories and hilarious anecdotes. Mr Pinotage, as he's known, is down to earth and noticeably unaffected by his accomplishments and accolades.
Beyers Truter told us that pinotage contains resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant 12 times stronger than that found in other red wines. Resveratrol acts like blotting paper, assisting in reducing bad cholesterol in the bloodstream. Further studies are revealing that resveratrol has other health benefits with relation to ageing, diabetes and cancer. And who said an apple a day keeps the doctor away?
The fireside bantering didn’t slow progress down and pretty soon we were piling our plates with tasty helpings of fresh greens, sticky sweet potatoes and braaied snoek, seasoned with Beyers’ secret basting sauce. We dined under an embroidery of fairy lights enjoying convivial company, local cuisine cooked the traditional way and complimented by a selection of Beyerskloof wines.
With ebb tide approaching, the horn from the Paddle Cruiser blew reminding us of our imminent departure. The return sail was a blend of subdued lighting, mellow conversation and quiet remorse that La Dolce Vita was about to end. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for The Featherbed Company to organise another fun-filled bouquet of entertainment at the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
Further Information
In conjunction with The Featherbed Company, Meridian Wine Merchants arranged the evening at The Featherbed Nature Reserve. Keep an eye on their events calendar for in-store tastings, promotions, festivals and other similar events around the country.
The Featherbed Company are hosting a Shipwreck New Year’s Eve Party at the Featherbed Nature Reserve. It's R550pp, including the ferry trip to and from Featherbed, a Shipwreck Island buffet dinner, live entertainment and champagne at midnight. There's a prize for the best dressed couple.
Contact: Featherbed Company
+ 27 (0) 44 382 1693
