Iconic yet Relaxed Wine Tastings at Ken Forrester Wines in Stellenbosch

The story of Ken Forrester Wines is inextricably linked with chenin blanc. In fact the man himself is often dubbed Mr Chenin for his pioneering role in raising the varietal from underappreciated workhorse of bulk South African wine to a star of the international wine firmament. It all started in 1993 when Ken and his wife Teresa bought a historic but derelict Stellenbosch wine farm. It was planted with chenin blanc, and he was determined to work with what was there, farm sustainably and make a world-class chenin to rival those of the Loire. The rest is history…

Today his iconic wines are sought after by collectors and connoisseurs, but Ken is the first to say that wine shouldn’t be too serious. One of his best-known wines, The FMC, has an official name for formal introductions, Forrester Meinert Chenin; but once a glass or two has been sampled, you can get on first name terms and just call it (as Ken does) F***ing Marvellous Chenin.

Wine-tasting

For such a legend of the South African wine scene, a visit to the tasting room on the farm is surprisingly down to earth, unpretentious and homely. With raw brick arches, terracotta tiles, big sofas and a tree-shaded verandah looking over the vines to the Helderberg mountains, it’s a friendly and comfortable place to settle in for a tasting.

Ken makes seven different handcrafted chenin and Rhône varietal-red blends across three different ranges. They are carefully cultivated to suit a variety of tastes and occasions, each made with consciousness and sustainability in mind. Engaging storytelling and anecdotes of the farm’s history are all part of the wine lounge experience, whether you’re tasting the light-hearted, everyday-drinking Petit range, exploring the old-vine Reserve wines (designed for food pairing), or getting to know single vineyard Icons such as The FMC or The Gypsy. Or you can focus just on the chenin blancs, which includes a taste of the Sparklehorse Cap Classique.
Cost Icon range tasting: R300
Reserve range tasting: R120
Chenin blanc tasting: R150
Petit range tasting: R90

Food to pair

Generous platters feature lush Dalewood cheeses, Wagyu biltong, preserves and biscuits. If you’re in the mood for something heartier for a leisurely lunch, head just down the road from the farm to 96 Winery Road (also under the Ken Forrester umbrella), which has been known for its welcoming Winelands hospitality and delicious, down-to-earth local food since it opened in 1996.
Cost Platters: R340 – R680

A not-to-be-missed chance to get up-close-and-personal with Renegades, Misfits and Dirty Little Secrets (more of Ken’s notable wines that are also worth seeking out) and sipping superb wines right at source.

Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 021 855 2374
Where to find it Scholtzenhof Farm, corner Winery Road and R44, Raithby, Stellenbosch
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