On 15 March 2014, the Delaire Graff Estate – which we know well for its unbeatable scenic vistas and Chenin Blanc to match – will serve as the canvas for the vibrant colors, tastes and sounds of the Cape Wine Auction.

The Cape Wine Auction is hosted annually by the South African wine industry as a way to encourage its most impassioned patrons to give back to its birthplace, the Cape Winelands. With the aim of raising funds for education in the wine lands of South Africa, the Cape Wine Auction invites South Africa’s most influential to wine, dine and shine in their summer’s finest.

Guests will enjoy a gastronomic banquet celebrating all that is great about the national wine industry. Iconic South African winemakers and an A-list culinary team lead by Grandes Chef Margot Janse will mingle with guests during a day of indulgence and fun. As well, attendees are given the rare opportunity to bid on a variety of wine-centric experiences such as special wines not available to the public, private winery tours and personal interactions with top chefs and winemakers in incredible locations.

The money raised during the auction will be delegated by the Cape Wine Auction Trust to educate children in the communities within the Cape Winelands in order to provide them with a chance for a brighter future. The Pebbles Project, The Click Foundation, and MAD CHARITY™ (Make A Difference) have been selected by the trust to be the three principle recipients of the money raised. These local charities work to enrich the lives of disadvantaged South Africans by offering opportunity through education. In the words of former President Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world.” 

The ever-stunning Delaire Graff Estate at dusk. Enjoy the views while supporting a good cause by attending the Cape Wine Auction on 15 March 2014.

For more information about the Cape Wine Auction, CLICK HERE

The early settlers, in response to street width taxation in Holland, built expansive wide fronted homes when settling in the Cape in the 1700’s. Houses in this style have a distinctive and recognisable design, with a prominent feature being the grand, ornately rounded gables, reminiscent of features in townhouses of Amsterdam built in the Dutch style. The houses are also usually H-shaped, with the front section of the house usually being flanked by two wings running perpendicular to it. Furthermore, walls are whitewashed, and the roofs are thatched.

Generally they are wide fronted homes with small window panes; it is interesting to note that all glass was imported by ship. Front verandas were laid out to use the tiles from passenger ships ballasts. To provide shade vines were sometimes planted to cover the trellis over the veranda.
Readily available local hard woods were used to make shutters. These shutters, apart from being a decorative feature of Cape Dutch houses, were closed at night to keep the family protected from both man and beast. Reeds (Restio sedges) were used as thatching. The Gables that were built at the end of the roof could be either straight, triangular or holbol. The front gable became the signature of each home.

Front doors were designed by the owner in collaboration with Malay artisans who were brought to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. Homes were large with high ceilings. Floors and ceilings were made of local hard woods like yellow wood (Podocarpus spp). These homes usually comprised an entrance hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen and one main bedroom down stairs. Children’s rooms and attics were generally upstairs. As the family grew a ‘neck’ was build from the entrance hall and two more rooms built at the back of the house making the classical H shape with four gables.

Fortunately many homes remain. Famous historical Cape Dutch homes can be seen on the following wine estates:
Boschendal, Vergelegen, Morgenster, la Motte or Zorgvleit

Cape Dutch architecture is a beautiful and distinctive feature of the South African winelands. For more on visiting the winelands, click here. Or for further references contact Roar Africa.

The most visited part of the Cape Wine lands, other than the wine farms in Cape Town itself, is the triangle formed by the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. It's not surprising- Fine wines, spectacular scenery, and culinary delights abound and they are all steeped in history. Naturally the beauty and history doesn't end abruptly at the edge of this triangle. Some of my favorite areas are just beyond this artificial boundary.

Take Elgin/Grabouw. I first explored the area during kloofing* expeditions in my university days and then later when my brother lived and farmed there in the early 90's. The drive to Elgin is amazing from whichever direction you approach. You can drive over the spectacular pass from Franschhoek valley where legend has it that during 1836, the last elephants of the area, a mother and calf, were seen leaving the valley on what came to be the Franschhoek pass. Equally spectacular but busier is the approach over Sir Lowry's pass where False bay stretches out behind you. This is a fruit farming area of astounding beauty.

You'll find mostly Apples in Elgin but there's plenty of diversity. Food & Wine magazine has just featured a story 'Best Tomato Recipes from Andreas Viestad'. Andreas Viestad is a food writer and TV host from Norway who unexpectedly found himself becoming a tomato farmer in Elgin. After a visit to South Africa to research his second book he started a project called the Garden of Elgin in collaboration with Dr. Paul Clüver on his family’s vineyard.

“I want to be able to make the same tomato salad every day, and have it taste different...” says Andreas Viestad

You'll find the article here. He shares his cooking philosophy and his very best tomato recipes

You won't see any elephants in Elgin today however you can find some not too far from Elgin at Aquila Private Game Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve where you'll also find the rare white lions.

Other favorite areas to visit are the Hex River valley just beyond Paarl (and over another incredible pass), Ceres (home of the fantastic Ceres fruit juices) and Montagu.

Watch out if you visit. You might just find yourself farming in Elgin.

* Kloofing, also known as canyoning, is the art of following a mountain stream down its course by floating, jumping and swimming. Kloofing takes place in a river gorge deep in the mountains. Some of the most spectacular kloofs including Suicide gorge are in the Western cape mountains near Elgin.

In January 2009, The New York Times ran an article “South African Wine Steps on to the Stage”. Eric Asimov

"FORGIVE me if I’m excited, but I can’t help it. I want to tell you straight out that South Africa, of all places, is one of the greatest sources for moderately priced cabernet sauvignon on the planet today. " Eric Asimov

We are excited too. As you may know, Roar Africa’s passion is driven out of a desire to unearth finite experiences, be it of wildlife, the Cape, the Karoo or of the finest single vineyard fruit. We know that only then can a great experience be produced and ultimately savored. Such unique experiences are meticulously selected by us with the help of our specialists.

Following the huge success of our exclusive Behind the Scenes wine tours with Cape based wine producer Richard Hilton, we have decided to offer our clients a selection of the Cape’s finest and most sought after wines, which are often available only on allocation.

This offering will take place four times a year and will consist of a 12 bottle case of wine that includes three wines, from three different estates, 4 bottles of each. Prices for each quarter offering will vary depending upon the season and the estate. We will confirm pricing with you prior to shipping.

The wines will arrive at your door, at slightly less than retail prices, and will be hand selected by Richard, to accompany the season of the time of the delivery, with a short tasting note and a suggested pairing with each wine.

This club is only open to clients and friends of Roar Africa and the first wines to be delivered are due at the end July 2009. If you would like to become a member of the ROAR AFRICA wine club, please email me with your name, delivery address, contact numbers, and credit card details. (N.B. The retail prices of these wines will range from USD20.00 – USD 50.00 per bottle).

'If it had been only one wine that impressed us so much, we would not have been nearly so excited. But there were plenty of others..." Eric Asimov, New York Times

Email Deborah Calmeyer

I was fortunate enough to stay at The Constantia recently and it is a small hotel which I personally feel deserves all the credit it can get. The Constantia is located in Constantia suburb which is one of Cape Town’s oldest wine valleys and is situated a mere 20 minute drive from Cape Town city center.
The Constantia is located in well maintained tranquil gardens and boasts a relaxing, comfortable pool area where guests can relax. The lounge, bar and dinning room open directly on to the gardens and give guests an idea of always being outside and space.

It has eight magnificent suites which have contemporary furnishings. Nothing has been forgotten. The one we stayed in had a lounge area furnished with 2 cosy two seat couches and a large TV. The lounge opened onto a secluded patio where one could sit outside in private.

The bedroom boasted, as all do, a very large comfortable bed, adequate cupboard space, TV and all the necessary appliances. The bathroom was open plan to the rest of the suite and apart from the large bath had a large shower.


From the minute you arrive you are pampered by gracious willing staff. On arrival we were welcomed with drinks and while we relaxed in the lounge our luggage was taken to our room. Once our drinks were finished we ventured to our room where we were amazed to find that a bubble bath had been run for us and a bottle of wine was on ice next to the bath – what a way to start your visit to the Cape!

Once relaxed we went out for dinner and on our return we were welcomed once again with cocktails and an offer of coffee (even at 11:45 PM!) Our room had been turned down, rose petals spread and chocolates placed on the bed, bottles of water next to the bed – what a way to remove any stress!

Breakfast was served in the enclosed veranda area and they provided a full self service continental breakfast and the waitresses offered a cooked ‘English’ breakfast if you so wished.

An added bonus - as you leave in the morning to tour the Cape you are given bottles of water for the car.

The Constantia has thewonderful policy that drinks from the self service bar and anything taken from the room fridge are complimentary.

This is a hotel I can certainly recommend for those who would like to be able to relax in a tranquil environment, pampered by courteous staff and be out of the bustle of town – but yet again within easy access of all the tourist spots.


Written by Sue. Photos all from Last Word Hotels.

South African wines are stirring up a lot of excitement these days as more wine experts give rave reviews on their elegance, power, and value. Join us for an exclusive two-day private wine tour in the spectacular Western Cape conducted by Richard Hilton, Roar Africa’s wine expert. Richard has had nearly 20 years of experience in the wine world, learning the business from the ground up in France and in South Africa. He has picked grapes, trod grapes, worked in cellars and bottling lines, pruned vines and marketed wines. Today he has his own winery in Stellenbosch, producing a limited production of fine wines which he sells to top restaurants in Cape Town as well as exports to Europe and New Zealand. Fortunately for us this means he can show us behind the scenes and there is almost no question concerning wine that he cannot answer.

Day 1- Trail of the Vine: Get ready to follow the historical path of the vines themselves right from your hotel in Cape Town, the mother city. You’re first stop will be in Constantia, the oldest wine region in South Africa. There, you will visit Groot Constantia, founded by Governor van der Stel in 1685. The next stop will be Klein Constantia, producer of Vin de Constance, a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte and Nelson Mandela, amongst others. Now following a 300+ year old grape trail you’ll head east towards Stellenbosch town and Vergenoegd (“satisfaction has been achieved”), owned by the Faure family for six generations.

Lunch at 96 Winery Road, a mecca for South African winemakers and producers, followed by a visit to the celebrated estate of Vergelegen ("remotely situated"), established in 1700. The night will be spent at luxurious Klein Genot Country Estate and Spa in Franschhoek, the French Quarter of the Cape. This five-star boutique lodge is nestled in the Franschhoek Valley.

Day 2- Stellenbosch: On the second day, we’ll wend our way over the Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch meaning "(van der) Stel's forest" after the founder Simon van der Stel (1679). We’ll will visit the beautifully designed Tokara Winery and Olive Grove, the Rustenberg Estate, and the Waterford Estate to be treated to a wine and chocolate pairing. Lunch will be at the Ouverture Restaurant at the Hidden Valley Winery. The architecture of this popular restaurant is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The last stop of the day will be the golfing/wine domain of Ernie Els Winery before heading back toward Franschhoek through the historic Boschendal Estate.

Destinations with Deborah Howell

Deborah Howell of NextTrip Radio interviews Deborah Calmeyer, Co-founder of Roar Africa. The two interview segments can be listened to by clicking on the mp3 players below.


First segment:
History of Roar Africa, Specialty trips, Yoga in the Bush, Londolozi safari, monkeys outside your shower, Behind the scenes Wine Tour with specialist guide and connoisseur, Stellenbosch, Cape Dutch architecture, Cape Winelands, Steenberg Winefarm, Hotel & Spa. Cape of Good Hope, Victoria Falls rafting, recession specials.

NextTrip radio Int...

Second segment:
Roar Africa's approach, exceptional Safaris, Lion Sands Safari lodges, Singita Safari lodges, Honeymoons in South Africa, Winelands, safety, malaria-free safaris and more...

NextTrip radio Int...

NextTrip Radio: Destinations with Deborah Howell

Two of our favorite lodges and South Africa's most sought after Relais & Châteaux properties are offering a wonderful special "The Sense of South Africa". From Cape charm to African safari excitement- The Sense of South Africa has it all!

Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek & Singita Game Reserves, in the Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, have joined forces to bring you a sumptuous 6 night treat.

Book 3 nights at Le Quartier Français and 3 nights at any of Singita's South African Lodges (Singita Ebony or Boulders in the Sabi Sand or Singita Lebombo or Sweni in the Kruger National Park) and experience an intimate, never-to-be-forgotten, escape from everyday life.

The Sense of South Africa Experience Includes:

At Le Quartier Français

• 3 nights accommodation, including breakfast, in a Four Quarters Suite
• Fully stocked bar
• Sensual couples massage & romantic turndown
• 3 course bistro dinner in iCi & an 8 Course Tasting Menu (with wine) at the Tasting Room
• Wine & charcuterie tasting at Môreson Wine Farm & a half day personalized wine tour

At Singita

• 3 nights accommodation at one of Singita's South African lodges
• Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily, teas & coffees & all drinks**
• Bottle of South African Méthode Cap Classique on arrival
• 2 open Land Rover safaris a day
• Walking safaris with an experienced guide
• Relaxing Swedish massage spa treatment
• Private wine tasting & dinner

**Includes all premium wines, spirits and liqueurs and excludes champagne

Rate: R41,850.00 per person sharing-no single rates apply
Availability: 01 February-15 December 2009.
Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

ROAR Africa can include this as part of any other experience we create for you.

For more on Singita see our comprehensive previous post or Singita.
For more on Le Quartier Français.

Wine lovers will be interested to see South African Wines featuring well in the latest Wine Spectator Ratings and Reviews (March 31, 2009). Here are just four of the outstanding performers:

• Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia 2004 earned a stellar 94 points.
• Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2006 - 92 points.
• Kanonkop Pinotage Simonsberg, Stellenbosch 2006 - 91 points.
• Mulderbosch Faithful Hound, Stellenbosch 2005 - 90 points.

For more on these wines and others see the list published by Cape Classics, "the preeminent US importer of the Cape's vinous treasures" here.

Wine Spectator defines their 100-point scale as follows:
95-100: Classic; a great wine
90-94: Outstanding; a wine of superior character and style
85-89: Very Good; a wine with special qualities
80-84: Good; a solid, well-make wine
70-79: Average; a drinkable wine that may have minor flaws
60-69: Below average; drinkable but not recommended
50-59: Poor, undrinkable; not recommended

Those passionate about health and awareness will love this special journey Roar Africa has created with partner lodges Londolozi and The Steenberg. Yoga in the South African bush and Winelands is designed to reflect and harmonize with the rhythms and cycles of nature.


Safari: 3-4 days.

Spend three nights at Londolozi Game Reserve where yoga is practiced daily amid an awesome spectacle of nature. In between sessions, you’ll thrill to the sight of magnificent wild life in their natural habitat with two game drives daily. You’ll stay at Varty Camp where the luxurious accommodations are raised off the ground beneath a cathedral of trees. Each room has a private swimming pool on a timber deck that overlooks the riverine bush. In addition to the daily yoga class (suitable for beginners or intermediates), guests may choose to enjoy a private session alongside the cool rush of the Sand River, while greeting the morning sun on the yoga deck, or even on a game drive. Massages are also available as is Pilates and a Cardiovascular Room with experts offering fitness using unique workouts inspired by animal agility.

The massage space at Londolozi Life was designed by a holistic therapist to create a space in harmony with the elements, ensuring a meditative experience that quietens the mind, rejuvenates energy and creates inner balance. Therapies on offer in the centre include Swedish massage, aromatherapy, Thai Massage and reiki healing. All therapies are also offered in the privacy of your room or deck.

Other activities include lectures and tours of a model Shangane Cultural Village, a visit to the Craft Centre, Learning Centre and pre-school, full moon walks, clay pigeon shooting, bush running, tracking adventures, all day walking expeditions, overnight bush sleep outs, deep ecology discussions, and fishing on the Sand River.

Cape Town/Winelands: 3-4 days.

You’ll continue your spiritual journey with three nights at the historic Steenberg Hotel, with its award-winning winery, challenging golf course, hikes, and spa treatments that do as much for the soul as for the body. The hotel is minutes from Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities on earth and full of fascinating history.

The Spa at Steenberg is operated by the experienced Ginkgo Spa & Wellness Group. The ambience is earthy and relaxing. There are five beautifully fitted rooms each offering distinctive experiences, spacious and comfortable they encapsulate the essence of well being. Read more on The Steenberg here.

Roar Africa will arrange for you to visit the Cape of Good Hope, the famed Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Town’s vibrant Waterfront, and much much more.

Named in honor of the imposing mountain which towers over it, The Steenberg Hotel provides exquisite hospitality, wine, golf, spa and history amongst the vineyards just 20 minutes from the center of Cape Town, South Africa. It's part of Roar Africa's portfolio and is offering a "de Gustibus" special at the moment. Here's some more about this excellent property.

History, Hotel and Restaurant:

This is the oldest farm in on the Cape Peninsula. The land was originally granted to a widow, Catharina Ras, in 1682 and wines were first produced on the farm in 1695. Today Steenberg’s flagship Sauvignon Blanc Reserve has won awards year after year and the winery’s distinctive red blend – Catharina – is widely recognized for its elegant, old-world French style. The state-of-the-art cellar, completed in 1996, has the capacity to produce around 70 000 cases and boasts a vinotheque, where bottled wines can be kept under ideal conditions until ready to be enjoyed.

The hotel buildings (1682) with the Manor House, Jonkershuis (“young man house”) and the Barn have been declared a National Monument. They are lovingly restored and decorated traditionally with antiques in the elegant styling of the 17th Century - old world charm and modern conveniences. There are 21 beautiful, en-suite rooms and the 3 new luxurious Heritage Suites which celebrate Steenberg's National Monument status. The Heritage Suites have been created within the Jonkershuis and are a tribute to three distinct historic periods in the history of the Cape. The exterior was not altered in any way but the interiors have been changed dramatically to reflect the periods. The suites are The Cape Colonial, The Khoi Khoi and the Dutch East India Suites.

Catharina’s, the award winning Restaurant at Steenberg, is getting a new look but will open again before summer (that's December in South Africa) 2008. In the meantime The Cape Colonial Suite is being used as a temporary and unique dining area. This is one of the very special new Heritage Suites at Steenberg. Please note that Catharina’s famous Sunday Buffet Jazz Luncheons are on hold until the refurbishments are complete.

Golf and Spa

The Steenberg Golf Club is an exclusive, private golf club known for its hybrid plan - it offers traditionalists the opportunity to “bump and run” (a rare shot in South Africa) in the rough around the greens, and to meet the challenges of strategically placed sand pits and waterways. The par-three, not-so-short 14th hole, features the largest green in Africa at 76 meters in length; indigenous shrubs guard the green and the mound has been shaped to echo the distinctive mountain range behind. Steenberg has always been named as one of the best conditioned courses in South Africa Golf Digest’s annual Top 100, consistent in its improvement each year. The 18 hole course was designed to make full use of natural features and hazards such as the vineyards, pine forest and gentle waterways. Its environmental diversity gives the course its unique character. The Steenberg Golf Club is open to the public, but priority and special green fee rates are given to hotel guests and members.

Golf not for you? The Spa at Steenberg is operated by the experienced Ginkgo Spa & Wellness Group. Five beautifully fitted rooms each offering distinctive experiences are surrounded by lush vineyards, the championship golf course and the magnificent Steenberg Mountains. The ambiance is earthy and relaxing.

Heritage Suites "de Gustibus" SPECIAL:

The package includes accommodation for two in one of the spacious suites, all meals and drinks.

In addition, they will interact one night with one of Steenberg’s talented chefs who will demonstrate how to prepare a contemporary South African dinner. They will cook alongside the chef in their suite as he discusses the ingredients used and how the herbs and spices work together to create this unique cuisine. At the same time, the Steenberg wine steward will give them a private wine tasting of the superb Steenberg wines with tips on choosing a good wine. Another treat for guests on this package includes a 90 minute ScenTao Hot Stone Therapy Massage for both; an unforgettable experience for any massage enthusiast

VALID: 01 November 2008 - 30 September 2009
RATE – per person sharing per 2 night package: R13 500.00

Contact Roar Africa for details.

One of our favourite wine farms to share with you on your visit to Cape Town is the beautiful 300 year old Klein Constantia just 15 minutes drive from the city. So close that we can drop in after a morning at the beach or a visit to the Jackass Penguins.

Klein Constantia was originally part of Constantia wine estate which was the VOC Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel ‘s wine estate founded in 1684. “Klein” means small, but at about 146 hectares it is not a small farm at all. Klein Constantia is family owned and run by Duggie Jooste who bought the farm in 1980 and lovingly restored it to it’s current magnificence.


Part of the mission of restoration was to bring back Vin de Constance, the sweet Constantia wine which became famous in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries particularly amongst European and Russian royal households. Napoleon Bonaparte eased his misery in exile by having almost 300 gallons shipped to him in St Helena and apparently on his deathbed Napoleon refused everything offered to him but a glass of Constantia wine. Famous authors Charles Dickens and Jane Austen were fans as well. Jane Austen wrote in Sense and Sensibility of its “healing powers on a disappointed heart.''

The wine-making team, headed by Ross Gower went to great lengths to recreate this masterpiece. They “studied historic records, looked to modern research, and read reports by early travellers who had tasted the wines. They were extremely fortunate to find a special clone of Muscat de Frontignan propagated from vines, which in all likelihood came from the original stock used in Constantia 300 years before.” www.kleinconstantia.com

And so by using research, traditional methods, late harvesting, and a lot of love, Vin de Constance is back a century after it’s disappearance. It is golden in colour, aromatic, with a smooth finish and lingering flavours. Come and enjoy it.


A rare bottle of 1821 Grand Constance sold for GBP 2,990 pounds (about $6,000) at a Sotheby's auction a year ago in London. Fortunately you can pick up a more recent vintage for under $50.