ASHANTI: A world of romance
and finesse
By Anne Zaaijer
The moment that you enter the drive to Ashanti
Wine Estate, you’re turning into a new world.
Ashanti is blessed with an outstanding location, set against
the impressive Drakenstein Mountains with a Tuscan-style
cellar towering above rows and rows of vineyards.
“Ashanti wines: born of sun, air, rain and the African
soil.
Personal welcome and approach
The personal touch is what makes this wine Estate
so special. Friendly staff and hospitality greets you, and
from the moment you arrive, you feel that everything that
happens on this Estate is well thought out and done by a
team.
Guests are a priority and have the opportunity to visit
the viewing platform, do some wine tasting or have lunch
in the “Restaurant @ Ashanti”.
The wines
During the 3rd week in March, I visited Ashanti for a wine
tasting and lunch. Ashanti specializes in red wines with
90 % of the 95 planted hectares under noble red varieties.
Premium wines produced here are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz,
Merlot and the South African cultivar – Pinotage.
Ashanti also has a “Hat Range” with wines such
as “Nicole’s Hat (white, off-dry), “Sunset
Hat” (dry Rosé) and “Joseph’s Hat”
(dry red).
Chiwara
This is Ashanti’s Flagship wine. A unique composition
of noble red cultivars, aged in French Oak.
The wine is named after the “Chiwara” - the
Ancient African symbol used on the Ashanti lable which represents
the annual “regeneration of life” that takes
place during harvesting time.
2004 Harvest
With the 2004 harvesting and pressing just completed, Henk
van der Tak (Managing Director), Johan Cronjé (Viticulturist)
and Chris Roux & Nelson Buthelezi (Winemakers) describes
the new wines as: “With their great colours and flavours,
the young red wines have all the components and potential
of a quality product!”
Restaurant
The “Restaurant @ Ashanti” provides
a wonderful opportunity to enjoy lunch on the terrace or
on the wooden monk benches on the grass under the oak trees.
This overlooks the 22 hectare dam, teeming with bird life.
Order some fresh Fish or enjoy a light meal of salads, Tapas
selection or pasta. (the Danish herring is also highly recommended)
All meals are made from the freshest produce, and the portions
are very generous!
During the winter months, you can enjoy your meal at one
of the inside tables next to the cozy fire place.
In the summer months, the perfect sundowner can be enjoyed
either next to the dam, or on the roof terrace overlooking
the farm. This is a sunset you will never forget!
So when you are in the Western Cape and planning a Winelands
trip, be sure to visit Ashanti Estate, you won’t regret
it!
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