I’m supposed to write about high adventure, but this week I’m writing about a wine adventure (please forgive me Lisa). I was recently fortunate enough to visit the wine farm Annandale (just off the R44) with my dear friends Mithila and Jai from India and my son Gabriel. What started out as a stop for wine tasting became a little adventure when the Owner Hempies Du Toit and his giant Boerbul dog “Bliksem” joined us in the cellar. Hempies is an ex-Springbok rugby player and Gabriel is a future Springbok rugby player, so they had plenty to talk about. And “Bliksem” looks like he could also be a tight-head prop!

During his rugby days, Hempies was famous for the enthusiasm and intensity with which he played the game and he still employs that fervour in his winemaking. He concentrates on only three wines and pours his passion into their creation. He makes limited volumes of wine and only releases his Cabernet Sauvignon after six years of loving care. This is a man with soul!”

If you are travelling between any of The Last Word properties and The Franschoek, make sure you stop-in at Annandale – the wines are phenomenal and the winemaker has soul. Where else in the world would a great winemaker take time from his schedule to throw a ball with an aspiring fan?