A chic and flavour-packed perch on a wine-tasting migration.
There’s a deep connection between winemaking, art and design… which is very evident at Paserene, the boutique Franschhoek wine farm where winemaker Martin Smith and businessman and co-owner Ndavhe Mareda create an ode to the finer things in life. Named after the swooping, soaring Passeriforme family of birds, which includes swifts and swallows, Paserene’s glass-walled tasting room echoes the elegant curves of the swallow’s nest, with a deck looking out over a serene dam and immaculate indigenous gardens enclosing hidden lawns and framing endless mountain views. A peaceful enclave of beautifully designed harmony, it’s an idyllic place to linger as you explore the superbly crafted wines and enjoy the intriguing pairing experiences. Or take it over as a scenic venue for a special event.
Creative expressions of three terroirs
A trailblazing winemaker, whose varied experience includes 10 years in California’s Napa Valley, Martin’s love of the land is intertwined with the maverick soul of an artist. “You have to be authentic in winemaking, otherwise the message gets lost,” says Martin. “You start with what Mother Nature gives you and create your art from there.” The expressive wines that he makes at Paserene reflect three very different terroirs. As well as the boutique Franschhoek vineyards, he and Ndavhe own a farm in Tulbagh (inland mountain terroir with hot summers and cold winters) and source from a farm in Elgin for cool-climate characteristics.
Martin likes big wines with a lot of personality, which comes across in the premium Paserene range – powerful wines from a particular terroir, designed for ageing and in demand among collectors and oenophiles. But there’s also a playful side to his winemaking in the Elements range, developed for everyday sipping to showcase a single varietal across all three terroirs. Collaborations with local artists for the beautiful labels capture the creativity and spirit of each wine.
Tasting lounge elegance
Settle into the comfortable, light and airy tasting lounge by the fireplace in winter, or catch the breeze under umbrellas on the deck in summer for a tasting of the award-winning wines (which regularly score highly at Platters and Gilbert & Gaillard Awards).
Cost Paserene range: R215 (3 wines)
Elements range: R115 (5 wines)
The breakfast pairing
Plan a morning tasting session to enjoy the novel breakfast pairing. Designed around the Elements range of wines, it’s as playful as the swingset on the label (a drawing of the garden swing on the lawns, built from eucalyptus trees from the Tulbagh farm). Emerald, a sauvignon blanc, pairs with a perfectly poached egg on roast potatoes, spring onions and red peppers; Bright, a vibrant and complex chardonnay, matches the richness of a pancake rolled around smoked trout and capers; and Dark, a rich, peppery syrah, plays beautifully with a spicy shakshuka with poached egg and toast. Satisfying and intriguing, the experience left me happily convinced of the merits of morning sipping.
Good to know Booking essential. Available until 11:30am
Cost R300 (3 wines + pairings)
Liquorice and wine
It sounds unlikely, but the genius tastemaster at Lakrids by Bülow has devised unique liquorice and chocolate bonbons to pair with three wines. If you’ve never experienced the heavenly combination of salty liquorice, sweet dark chocolate, expertly matched with fine wine, you’re in for a treat. I particularly enjoyed the salmiak and Marathon pairing… the serious wine copes surprisingly well with all this levity, softening to reveal a deep and mysterious dessert side to its personality.
Cost R165 (3 wines + paired bonbons)
Simply snacks
To go with your tasting (or just to enjoy with a glass of wine), a down-to-earth, tick-box menu of delicious snacks allows you to design your own platters. Think Neil Jewell charcuterie, fresh ciabatta, a luxury cheeseboard, smoked trout, biltong, bitterballen, olives, breads, samosas and a luxurious homemade chicken liver pâté with fruity chutney.
A view-drenched venue
As you wander through sculptural structures of natural slate and stone to the intimate private dining room (which doubles as a conference venue, seating up to 18 people), it’s easy to see how beautifully the space can be used as an exclusive-use wedding or function venue. A wide lawn leads off the deck towards the vines bordered with lavender, and there are photo opportunities galore among the indigenous gardens with the mountains behind. Stunning sculptures tuck naturally into the landscape, reflecting the inspired design eye behind the farm (look closer and you’ll notice the gatehouse forms a recumbent bottle shape and doubles as a water feature).
Enquire Now
Paserene effortlessly captures the imagination and soars with it to skies less travelled.
Good to know Bookings essential
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 876 2714, info@paserene.co.za
Where to find it Paserene Wine Farm, R45, Franschhoek
Book through DinePlan
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