TSIBA Trail Run - Landtscap & Carinus Family Vineyards

 What a spectacular weekend of weather we had here in the Cape!

We forced ourselves out of bed on Saturday morning to join the TSIBA Trail Run at Landtscap.  I didn't see the part about them starting at 7:30 now that summer has arrived, so we were a little late and missed the start - but ran the route anyway and it was absolutely 100% worth getting up for and a fantastic way to start a Saturday!

We ran through vineyards and orchards, passed a few walkers with their dogs and had a mammoth climb to the finish at the end.  But relaxing on the grass at the finish had the most incredible 270 degree view spanning from the Paarl mountain right across Stellenbosch Valley to False Bay.  Amazing!  

Landtscap is an absolutely beautiful venue if you are looking for one.  Very simple inside and maximising on the spectacular valley views.

The next TSIBA run is on 7 December at Groot Constantia Wine Estate.  The TSIBA Overberg series also has a run on 23rd November at Gabrielskloof Estate.

Even though there are vineyards and orchards, Landtscap itself is just a venue.  But as most TSIBA runs are on winefarms with a few tastings available, there was the CARINUS FAMILY VINEYARDS CHENIN BLANC available for tasting at the finish.
As far as I understand, this is the only wine made by the Carinus Family.  They have been grape (wine) farming for many years, but always sold their grapes to other winemakers.  In 2010 they decided to keep some of the best for themselves and produce their own superior quality white wine.  The result - a beautifully fruity Chenin Blanc with a lingering aftertaste. 
It is made from hand picked grapes grown in the Swartland and with it's fun label it is perfect for any occasion.  It looks like at the moment you will need to contact them on their Facebook account to purchase some wine, otherwise I have seen it available on Yuppie Chef.  Yes, this awesome online kitchen store now stocks wine too - fantastic!

Spectacular start to a lovely weekend!  What did you get up to?

LANDTSCAP 
Devonvale, Stellenbosch - entrance from Bottelary Road (M23).
Tel: +27 21 865 2736 / +27 81 048 1188

Fairview La Capra Goat Run

 - MORE TRAIL RUNNING ON PICTURESQUE FARMS

This Saturday is the La Capra Goat Run at Fairview Wine Estate - well it starts at Fairview and ends at Spice Route.  I'm not sure if there are many entries left, but even if you're not running it is bound to be a festive morning in the winelands.

A 5km vineyard walk, an 8km trail run and the 15km for the mountain goats! Our goodie bags came with a bottle of La Capra Malbec and some delicious Fairview Brie Cheese.  Fairview has some fantastic wines which we have previously had the pleasure of tasting together with their cheeses in the Master's Tasting - Fairvew Master's Tasting .

But they also have the more fun and relaxed La Capra brand which is popping up in all sorts of places and becoming quite popular.  I'm very excited to test my complimentary bottle after the race.  La Capra is a range of 10 different single varietal wines made in a fruit-forward style lending themselves to early enjoyment and relaxed dining with very fruity and fresh flavours.  They've done a great job with the labeling too causing them to stand out from the crowd.

The Goat Run starts at Fairview and ends at Spice Route which means there will be beautiful views along the way up the mountain and past the Paarl Rock.  With all the activities (see my previous post - Spice Route) at the Spice Route farm, there will be more than enough entertainment after the race.  Charles Back really has done a superb job of managing and developing the two farms, their brands and their success. 

If you haven't been out to Fairview or Spice Route, it is definitely worth the trip.  Fantastic wines at both farms as well as loads of other tasting opportunities namely, chocolate, cheese, beer and grappa - you could spend all day there!

The DV chocolates are absolutely delicious, I'm excited to try out the new patisserie that has opened and might sneak in a beer after the race before stocking up on some wine.

We actually had a beer tasting party (with a range of craft beers) last weekend for a friend's birthday and the CBC Lager was definitely voted as one of the favourites.

What are your weekend plans?  What are your weekend wines?


FAIRVIEW WINE ESTATE
Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Suider Paarl
Take the Paarl Main Road / Franschhoek turnoff off the N1, turn right under the highway and look for the Fairview signs.
Tel: +27 21 863 2450

SPICE ROUTE WINERY
Suid-Agter Paarl Road
Same directions as above just a little further down the road.
Tel: +27 21 863 5200

TSIBA Trail Run - Hartenberg Estate, Stellenbosch

With summer slowly starting to show its face, we no longer have the grey gloom as an excuse not to get out of bed for a trail run or breakfast on a beautiful wine estate.

So, this weekend is another TSIBA trail run at Hartenberg Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, hopefully we'll see you there.  If not for the run then for some wine tasting afterwards.

See all the details below:

 

Directions to Hartenberg:
From the N1, take the R304 turnoff towards Klipheuwel / Stellenbosch
Turn right, under the bridge
Turn right onto Bottelary Road and look out for signs to the farm. 

TSIBA Trail Running - This weekend at Dornier Wine Farm

 - IT WILL BE WORTH GETTING OUT OF BED FOR!

This weekend is the next Trail run in the TSIBA New Balance Cape Peninsula Series.

It's not THAT early, its on a wine farm with beautiful scenery and there is a great atmosphere.
Get your running shoes on and see you there for some breakfast and wine tasting once you've finished.

Directions to Dornier:
From the N2, take the R44 turnoff at Somerset West and turn left towards Stellenbosch.
From the N1, take the R44 turnoff at Klipheuwel and turn right towards Stellenbosch.
When you get to the robots at the Stellenbosch golf club turn into Blaauwklippen road and follow the Dornier signs from there.

TSIBA Trail Run at Groot Constantia

 - A FANTASTIC WAY TO START THE WEEKEND!

Trail running has become some what of a craze recently and one can understand why.  There are some beautiful trail runs that take you up to views which you would never reach by car and, a whole lot of fresh air and exercise never hurt anyone, not to mention some food and wine at the finish!!

 

The TSIBA trail running series happens about once a month and each time on a different wine estate in a different are of the Western Cape. 

The TSIBA Foundation is a not-for-profit business school which provides graduate education to those who unable to afford it, focusing on entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Most of the funds raised at the trail running series go towards the TSIBA Eden campus, near Knysna.



There is usually a 6km or a 12km run, the 12km being a second lap on the 6km course.  This last weekend ended up being more of a 7.5km / 15km with some sneaky little climbs along the way, but spectacular scenery and very enjoyable nonetheless.  The races usually start at 8am, with registration from 7am and a cost of R60 per runner.  Most often dogs and prams are welcome on the farms and trails, so the events are usually very social and family friendly.  This last run saw about 400 people participating.  The events are sponsored by New Balance and Civvio, which means there are some great spot prizes at the end.

This last run took place at Groot Constantia wine estate in the Constantia Valley, one of the oldest and most historic wine farms in South Africa. It was really beautiful running in between the vineyards, up the mountain behind the farm and along the ridge where the view stretches all the way to False Bay, amazing way to start your Saturday morning!! Next time I will have to take the camera with on the run to get some shots and prove how worth it it is getting up that early on a Saturday morning.

There was coffee to help with the early morning cold and boerewors rolls and free wine tasting waiting for you at the finish.  The Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc a lovely fresh, with hanepoot on the nose, slightly sweetish and very enjoyable white wine; and the Groot Constantia Shiraz, a slightly spicy but lighter, easier drinking Shiraz, were the two wines available for tasting.

A fantastic Saturday morning, a great atmosphere at the event and beautiful surroundings, as well as a worthy cause.  We'll definitely make a plan to get to the next one.

The next run is scheduled to take place at Oak Valley Wine Estate in the Elgin Valley, Grabouw area on Saturday 27th July, 2013.  Hopefully see you there!

 

 

www.tsiba.org.za



Groot Constantia
Groot Constantia Road, Cape Town
021 794 5128

34 01’ 37,03” S, 18 25’ 28,84” E