Ander kant die berg

Behind the Boerewors wine curtain, or beyond the Du Toits Kloof lies a whole other wine world. Being a fan of Robertson and McGregor in particular I never miss an opportunity to spend a wine weekend in the Valley of Roses and Race Horses. The Robertson Valley may not have the status of Stellenbosch, but the boere on the wrong side of the mountain know how to through a party. Think wackywine weekend and the Mcgregor Wine Festival....yes the McGregor Wine Festival! It must be the smallest festival around, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in charm and character.

What can be better than local wine matched with the local food enjoyed in local NG Kerk. Every year the tiny village of McGregor puts on her best dress and shows off the wines of a handful of producers matched with food from the area. McGregor being the friendly village it is, all is welcome, even well behaved dogs. Maybe the organisers were hoping dogs would make better wine judges with their acute sense of smell. This year the weather played along, the sunny day providing the perfect opportunity to sit around and enjoy the summer weather with a glass in hand. I especially enjoyed the wines of John Hargreaves, his Rusty Red Range never fails to surprise and deliver. Rumour has it that John's back garden is the smallest registered wine farm in the country. For value, McGregory Winery is hard to beat, their Colambard is lip smackingly good. Why we South Africans don't drink more Colambard or Chenin Blanc I don't know.

For true country hospitality, friendly locals, wine and country kos, visit Wacky McGregor.