Tag Archives: Wine

Some photos of the amazingly beautiful farm Stettyn just outside Villiersdorp. There is so much going on here – from wine to fruit and sheep to grains – and if they weren’t busy enough they also support the local Stettyn school and creche on the farm as well as helping out with leopard tracking projects (sorry, no leopard photos ) and keeping game on the mountain. Phew!

This burger delivers… full stop. Capital Y, capital U, capital M!!! Check out the Food Fox’s scrumptious recipe here on the gorgeous Pretty Blog. It’s a must!

I am just going to warn you now – this is a pretty huge post! What a wedding Sandy and Kevin had! If I was going to describe it with one word I’d use RAIN! But that really is too simplistic – their day was full to the brim with so much family, happy busyness and lots and lots of love! Friends flew in from all over the world to celebrate their momentous wedding and Kevin and Sandy’s exquisite wine farm South Hill in Elgin couldn’t have been a more perfect venue – even in the rain! Emma and Gordon from ‘Gordon Manuel @the Venue‘ managed to pull off wonders with their incredible and frankly super-human powers of organisation in the most trying conditions – and of course Gordon’s food… what can I say except cuisine of the Gods – not to sound too dramatic about it . The lovely flowers, decor and cakes were done by Sandy and family with special mention to Sandy’s mom for the exquisite wedding cake. Sandy and Kevin, your loved ones said it again and again on the day – you two are so perfect for each other and I hope this was a day to remember for you both. Enjoy the photos…

I have never had chicken like this – the gentle marinading makes the soft, herby meat just fall apart… It’s a bit of prep, but so absolutely worth it! Especially for enjoying on the last of those warm summer days that are disappearing so quickly! Here is a link to the Food Fox’s lovely post on the Pretty Blog.

Karen and Adrian are an amazing couple, not least for being able to pull off a wedding in only a few weeks! No fussing around – just them, their loved ones, a church, a beautiful restaurant, some vines and a view Doesn’t that sound perfect??? Karen got ready at the exquisite 5 star Marine Hotel in Hermanus, and after the ceremony everyone moved up to the stunning restaurant at La Vierge, run by star chef Shane Sauvage. It doesn’t get better than a perfect day in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. Karen and Adrian, I hope it was a beautiful day to remember for you both

Ines and Markus are another phenomonal couple who organised their wedding from overseas (Germany in this case) with the help of some wonder-workers out here: Jen and Nici from Zest Catering and Marina and Tina from Elgin Weddings. They celebrated their big day with just twelve of their family and closest friends who all flew out to be there. Wine tasting, balloon flying and trampolining, all in German, made this an awesome wedding I won’t be forgetting Beaumont Wine Farm – another awesome occasion, guys!!! I hope you enjoy the photos – between Ines’ supermodel good looks and Markus’ cheeky smile they were a total joy to photograph!

So it’s not every day that the Flemish Minister-President shows up at your winery for a sumptuous cocktail party – am I right? Almenkerk Wine Estate in Elgin just had that honour last weekend to mark the end of MP Kris Peeter’s Trade Mission trip to South Africa. What a gorgeous party (hosted and decorated by the talented Natalie Opstaele), what sublime food (Zest Catering, you RULE the kitchen and if I don’t get that Malva pudding recipe my life may not be worth living!) and once again (not that I’m allowed to drink at this moment in time) what exquisite wines! What Joris van Almenkerk doesn’t know about Sauvignon Blanc ain’t worth knowing!

Check out the amazing work of the Plettenberg Bay based charity Born in Africa that were awarded the Visser-Neerlandia prize on the day for their good work.

Enjoy the photos!

Jen’s folks sadly couldn’t make it out to be there, but by the wonders of modern technology the whole ceremony was streamed live to them in Spain!!! How amazing is that??? The plan had originally been to hold the wedding outside under the trees but gale force winds made for a quick change of decision and all the hay bales and guests were snugly tucked into the wine cellar to keep warm and out of the howling gales. How good do those canapés look??? Well done Zesty ladies – scrumptious!

The Shuntin Shed is a fabulous pizza shack on the Bot River train station a few minutes drive off the N2. Jen and Warren chose this for their pre-wedding dinner to have some time to chat with family and friends, many of whom had flown in from overseas for their big day! I love this place and I LOVE their pizzas, both for their rustic homeliness and no-nonsense laid back charm. We had such fun shooting a quick Lovebirds session around the station – grungy, fun and unintentionally vintage  i.e. untouched since the 50′s . Enjoy! Wedding Sneak Peek coming soon…