The real vineyard experience!
A gem of a retreat lies in the heart of the Robertson Valley
on the scenic Route 62.
Here, nestling among the majestic Langeberg hills, a beautiful
wine
and guest farm with the award-winning restaurant welcomes you.
On the following pages we invite you to learn more about this
spectacular
place and to make it your next holiday destination!
Historic Wine & Guest Farm with Restaurant
T H E H A N D
The open hand symbol of Fraai Uitzicht 1798, with its prominent
life- and destiny lines, is symbolic of the gentle lifestyle
of this farm retreat. The strong life- and destiny lines in
turn represent the tranquil country lifestyle and bonhomie you
will experience during your stay with us.
Be rejuvenated and refreshed by the exquisite beauty, spectacular
views
and absolute tranquility of nature.
Experience the ambience created by handcrafted sculptures, large
hand-thrown pots, and hidden corners in the bamboo garden, watched
over by a Buddha figure.
A handcrafted wine is produced here; award-winning
food is freshly made every day; a small shop with handcrafted
items invites you to take home a special souvenir, and the
bed linen in the guest cottages is of the finest
hand-embroidered cotton.
The interiors of the cottages are styled in the distinct natural
earth colours of Africa, all of which emphasize the philosophy
of Fraai Uitzicht 1798.
Here, nestling among the beautiful
Langeberg hills, a tranquil vineyard
experience awaits you!
T H E A C C O
M M O D A T I O N
Beautifully appointed guest
cottages and suites provide superior accommodation, overlooking
the Robertson Wine Valley, Sonderend Mountains, fruit orchards
and vineyards – some of them right outside your door.
T H E
C O T T A G E S
Merlot and Shiraz are cozy cottages built in the Cape
Dutch Style, with open reed ceilings, modern interiors and
French doors opening onto the verandas. An open fireplace,
music station with compact disc player and television adds
to the comforts you find in these stylishly appointed cottages.
Hand-embroidered linen adorns queen-sized beds with original
handpicked artwork indicating personal attention to each unit.
Cabernet
and Sauvignon are situated beside the Historic Wine Cellar,
keeping the original charm of the 1800’s with wooden
ceilings and natural colours. These unique units offer two
separate bedrooms per cottage, one of which has two single
beds
Sauvignon is our “family cottage” with two bedrooms,
one with a queen-size bed and one with two separate beds and
a central cosy lounge/kitchenette.
Cabernet is our “Honeymoon
cottage” with a queen-size bed on a gallery, an additional
bedroom with two separate beds and a cosy lounge & kitchenette.
T H E S U I T
E S
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombar and
Riesling offer individually appointed accommodation, each
with a private outside entrance. Either a queen- or king-sized
bed may be found in these units, with modern en-suite facilities.
An honesty bar, complimentary tea- and
coffee-making facilities, as well as fans
or heaters may be found in each of the units.
Accolades:
Highly
Commended
(AA Travel Guides
Accommodation Awards Program 2004)
4 Star Grading -
Guest House
(Tourism Grading Council
of South Africa 2003 & 2004)
Superior Accommodation
Grading
(AA Quality Assured Program
2003 & 2004)
Top 10 Winelands
Getaways
(Wine “Oct 2003”)
T H E
F A C I L I T I E S
Fraai Uitzicht 1798 is a tranquil
retreat, balm for the soul, the ideal place
to spend a calm, comfortable and culinary few days.
Be introduced to wine making in our Historical Wine
Cellar or experience the live concerts “On Stage”
in front of the restaurant. Local artists and professionals
entertain with enthralling voices and performances.
Enjoy a stroll through our herb-garden
or spend a quiet moment amongst the bamboo trees – you
are always welcome to share the spectacular sunsets,
or star-filled evening skies, having a glass of wine with
us on the stoop.
The more adventurous could take a stroll through our vineyards
and orchards,
with their spectacular views or enjoy a mountain bike ride
through the vineyards and the valley.
Have a traditional South African Braai (Barbeque) privately
at your cottage
or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surrounds, while lazing
in the sun
by our pool, with the sound of flowing water
providing music to natures’ background.
Fraai Uitzicht 1798 also offers exceptional bird watching,
with a selection
of specimens including the Hadeda, Hamerkop, Blue Crane, Cape
Weaver Birds
and flocks of Guinea fowls and Francolins and dozens of other,
rare breeds.
T H E R E S T
A U R A N T
Experience the delights of a truly great restaurant
in the heart of the Robertson Valley.
Well known for “lazy lingering lunches”, Fraai
Uitzicht 1798’s country restaurant has been described
as “the new princess’ glass slipper if Robertson
was once
the remote Cinderella of the winelands”.
Spectacular views across the vineyards
to the distant Sonderend Mountains, informal décor
with a traditional AGA stove all adds to the charm,
which encourages guests to return time after time.
Share the bonhomie of a dining room fire, or chat with friends
on summer days
on the veranda where huge umbrellas provide shade -absorb
the beauty
relax and enjoy the tranquil ambience.
Attentive hosts provide a friendly and cosy ambience for a
fine dining experience
in this award-winning restaurant. The menu portraits country
style cuisine
offering seasonal fresh dishes made from fresh vegetables
and just-picked herbs from the garden. Generous portions ensure
culinary delight. Exquisite desserts and the best wines of
the Robertson Valley, including the handcrafted Fraai Uitzicht
1798 Merlot, compliment a memorable meal.
Highly recommended and one of Fraai Uitzicht 1798 most indulgent
experiences is The Fine Wine and Dine Menu, a seven-course
set menu, with specially selected wines to accompany each
course. The menu also includes coffee and Brandy.
Reservations are essential and the restaurant is open from
Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner (closed June/July).
Please enquire about the special arrangements for accommodation
guests on the evenings
that the restaurant is closed.
Accolades:
Top 100
Restaurants in South Africa
(Wine
2004)
American Express
Platinum Fine Dining Program
(American Express 2003 &
2004)
T H E
H I S T O R I C W I N E C
E L L A R
Visit the historic wine cellar, the oldest in the valley,
and see the original
woodwork and handcrafted beams. In this ancient atmosphere
the handcrafted Merlot is produced as a joy of life.
The Merlot 2002 (On Sale Now!) has a deep, dark color and
complex fruitcake aroma, leading to a lush palate with subtle
tannins and hints
of chocolate and vanilla.
This is the third vintage of this Historical
winecellar, in the ward Klaas Voogds, Robertson Wine Valley.
Produced from carefully selected grapes
from cool southern slopes, this wine has a true terroir character.
Klaas Voogds, Robertson, Western Cape,
South Africa
Production:
Only 6000 bottles (500 cases x 12 bottles)
Winemaker:
With help of local winemaker - Pieter Ferreira
Viticulturist:
With help of Leon Dippenaar
Harvest details:
Grapes were carefully hand picked at optimum
ripeness of 25 Balling on the 9th of March in the early morning,
cooled down to 6 degrees and destalked.
Cellar treatment:
After the grapes were cold soaked for 4 days, natural
yeast was induced to the wine. The cap was regularly punched
down and pumped over for more extraction. The must fermented
dry on the skins in open fermentation tanks. The juice was
separated from the skins and carefully basket pressed. Free
run and pressed juice were blended.
Barrel maturation:
This Merlot finished malolactic fermentation in the
barrel and was racked once. The wine matured in small, new
and second filled barrels (50/50 %) from French and American
(50/50 %) oak for 12 months
Wine description:
Velvety wine with deep dark color and complex fruitcake
aroma, leading to a lush palate with subtle tannins and hints
of chocolate and vanilla. Bottled unfiltered to preserve cultivar
personality, the wine may show a slight sediment on maturation.
Food complements:
Veal, lamb, duck, quail and
cold meats
Aging potential:
This Merlot is excellent to drink now,
but should improve over the next 5-8 years
Chemical Analysis at bottling:
Alcohol:
2002
Acidity:
Merlot 100 %
ph:
Klaas Voogds, Robertson, Western Cape,
South Africa
Residual Sugar:
Only 6000 bottles (500 cases x 12 bottles)
Vineyard information:
Terroir:
Southern facing sloops on a
ridge (330 meter high).
Climate:
Moderate summer with low night temperatures,
cold winter. Robertson is a winter rainfall area with
ca 300mm per year. Cool south-easterly wind in summer.
Soil type:
Shaly, rocky soil
Rootstock:
Richter 99
Vines planted:
1994/95
Yield per hectare:
3.5 ton by stringent pruning + thinning
of bunches = 22 hectolitres
Our German & Netherlands
contact for the Merlot:
Aandwyn Dr. Stephan Pintsch
Zwergbirkenweg 14
22175 Hamburg
Telefon / Fax: 040 - 6494 0121
E-mail: info @ aandwyn.com
Our Swiss contact for
the Merlot:
VOCO AG
Peter Vonarburg
Sonnenbuehlweg 1
6010 Kriens
Telefon: 041 – 319 4141
Fax: 041 – 319 4100
E-mail: peter.vonarburg @ vonarburg.ch What to do in the area:
The Klaas Voogds Experience:
Klaas Voogds! Who was Klaas Voogds?
“A colonist who had been trampled
to death by an elephant, and that in so shocking manner that
scarcely the vestige of a bone was seen in his remains”,
the Swedish scientist and father of Cape botany, Carl Peter
Thunberg, described
in his journal. “… his blood drained into the
hard ground…” … is that perhaps the
reason for the quality red wines from the Klaas Voogds ward?
Located at the foot of the Langeberg
Mountains, Klaas Voogds is 8 kilometers East of Robertson.
Other than magnificent views and unsurpassed natural beauty,
the Klaas Voogds Valley also offers a variety of interesting
activities.
Hike or bike a trail or two; enjoy mountain-top sundowners
after conquering
the 4x4 mountain trail; enjoy the magnificent views; have
a guided tour
of the game reserve on offer at Pat Busch’s Nature Reserve
Walk, Wonder & Imagine (in other words: Get lost!) in
one of 3 mazes
at Soekershof, including one of the world’s largest
hedge mazes
Herman & Yvonne will ensure an imaginative experience.
Horse riding with well-trained horses - new & comfortable
saddles - whilst game viewing or bird watching, and even wine
tasting at horseback is offered
at Concordia Farm, home of Olive Garden Cottages.
Experience wine tasting on the banks of the Breede River –
Viljoensdrift offers
in addition to tasting, a relaxing hour cruising of the Breede
River
on the riverboat, Uncle Ben.
Visit Sheilam’s Cactus Farm where you would find a nursery
for exotic cactus plants – about 3 000 of some of the
weirdest and loveliest plants imaginable
can be seen. Or simply enjoy the remarkable wines on offer
from the more
than 40 wine cellars within an easy drive from Fraai Uitzicht
1798.
Robertson, Valley of Wine
and Roses:
Robertson is picturesquely
situated in the broad and fertile valley of the Breede River,
bounded by the foothills of the Langeberg to the north and
the Sonderend Mountains to the south, and is the main town
to Fraai Uitzicht 1798.
Not to be missed are the exotic birds and the nature reserves;
visit the beautiful Victorian houses; enjoy the numerous sport
facilities,
including golf, squash and an Olympic sized swimming pool;
visit well-known
stud farms; or join in during the 4x4 championships,
canoe marathon or annual food and wine festival.
Other interesting
towns and villages:
Ashton
Ashton
is well known amongst enthusiasts as a top racehorse
breeding area, and the towering cliffs present experienced
rock climbers with awe-inspiring challenges.
Bonnievale
Bonnievale offers
a variety of activities, including canoeing trips; freshwater
fishing; bird-watching on a river cruiser; wine tasting
and guided tours of the wine cellars; guided tours of
a cheese factory; fruit picking in season and picnics
on the river bank.
McGregor
This picturesque,
mid nineteenth century village boasts a nature reserve,
wine cellar and a number of artists, craftsmen and many
other colourful characters. Here is a village lost in
time – a place for reflection and healing.
Montagu
This charming, historic
village lies on Route 62, the world’s longest
wine route. This jewel of Route 62 offers mineral springs,
4x4 routes, hiking- and mountain bike trails and good
climbing for experienced mountaineers. Visit a wine
cellar, go fishing or pistol shooting, play golf, bowls,
tennis or squash, and do not miss the popular tractor
ride.
Swellendam
Swellendam offers,
amongst others, museums, historical architecture and
culture. A national park and nature reserves offer a
variety of wildlife and outdoor activities. Situated
half way between Cape Town and George, Swellendam is
the 3rd oldest permanent settlement in South Africa.
Worcester
Worcester is considered
the heartbeat of the Breede River Valley. On offer are
an open-air museum, a snake farm, wine tasting, botanical
gardens, adventure sports, golf and a mineral spa.
Community Projects:
Fraai Uitzicht 1798 is engaged in
the following projects as part of our social development program.
Fraai Uitzicht 1798 is involved with
an upliftment project to benefit the community of Nkqubela,
an informal settlement just outside of Robertson.
One of the ongoing projects is the development of the local
talent. Auditions have been held at Nkqubela, where singers,
dancers, artists and writers have come together to reveal
their talents.
Some of this local talent has been showcased during performances
for dinner guests throughout the last few years. On one such
occasion in November 2002, two members of Junger KonzertChor
Düsseldorf (JKCD) got to know Makukhanye Gospel Choir
at Fraai Uitzicht 1798. Due to this contact the idea was born
to create a joint project of both choirs.
Early in 2003 a team of JKCD members
started planning a CD and in November 2003 six team members
travelled to Nkqubela in order to do the recording. Now,
the Makukhanye Gospel Choir’s first CD is available
for sale from selected outlets. Contact us for further information
or to place your order. (By buying this CD the work of Makukhanye
Gospel Choir and its members is being directly supported.)
“For all the persons involved it has been a very moving
experience. Next to the pure work of recording there
was also enough time to get to know each other and to have
an intensive cultural exchange. The (JKCD)team was
welcomed with open arms and openness and learned a lot
about the way of life in the township as well as the
necessities and problems of the adolescents.” For further
details, visit www.jkcd.de
Another great highlight was when Dagmar
Berghoff featured the choir on German TV “Heimat in
der Ferne”.
Klaas Voogds Project
Together with the local farming community,
Fraai Uitzicht 1798 is assisting to develop and improve the
general living conditions of the farm-labour families, with
special attention to the children of the community.
The first phase is being realized through a daily soup kitchen
for the school children and distribution of secondhand clothing
to those in need. That is why we ask, should you come and
visit Fraai Uitzicht 1798, and you still have some space,
please support our project by donating items of clothing (for
all ages) and / or toys you might no longer need.
We will appreciate also your ideas and your help to uplift
the community.
Directions:
From Cape Town:
Follow
N1 freeway to Worcester.
At the 2nd traffic
light, turn right into Worcester, pass over the bridge
and take the 2nd left turn-off into the main street.
Turn right at the
sign “R60 / Robertson” 2 blocks later.
Follow the R60 until
Robertson
Continue approx.
9km further (en-route to Ashton/Montagu), to find a
sign – “Klaas Voogds East”.
Turn left onto a
gravel road.
Follow the gravel
road for 4 km, until you find a left turn-in where you
are “Welcome to Fraai Uitzicht 1798”
From Garden Route (via Route
62):
Follow
the R 62 to Montagu, then to Ashton
Continue through
Ashton, towards Robertson.
Turn off the R60
approximately 5,5km outside Ashton, at the “Klaas
Voogs Oos (East)“ sign to your right.
Follow the gravel
road 4 km, until you find a left turn-in where you are
“Welcome to Fraai Uitzicht 1798”.
From Garden Route (via Mossel
Bay):
Follow
the N2 to Swellendam
Follow R60 (N15)
to Ashton, continue on R60 towards Robertson.
Turn off the R60
approximately 5,5km outside Ashton, at the “Klaas
Voogs Oos (East)“ sign to your right.
Follow the gravel
road 4 km, until you find a left turn-in where you are
“Welcome to Fraai Uitzicht 1798”.
By Helicopter:
L.Z. The Hope, Klaas Voogds
East
Map
Co-ordinates:
33 Deg
47 min
508
seconds SOUTH
020 Deg
00 min
118 seconds EAST
Elevation:
295
meters above sea level
Map Format set to
CAPE
Full
grid reference:
34
4076
604
EAST
6260753
NORTH
(If you approach from the west, 2 meters
west from the main windsock,
there are twin telephone lines running the length of the property
and to the south, there is a tri-set of electricity cables.)
The Hope is within three minutes slow walk from Fraai Uitzicht
1798.
By Plane:
A small airfield may be found just
outside the town of Robertson. The runway
is in good condition, 1,5 km long and tarred. Transport from
the airfield can be arranged with prior notice (tariffs subject
to number of people.)
Contact
Us:
Physical Address:
Klaas Voogds East,
(On Route 62 between Robertson & Montagu)
Postal Address:
PO Box 97
Robertson
6705
