January 2013

Happy New Year

Do you still remember ABBA’s hit “Happy New Year” on their album Super Trouper? First sung in Swedish, later in English. Since then sung by numerous singers all over the world in their native tongue be it Dutch, Czech, Danish, Finnish, Russian, Irish and maybe one day in Afrikaans, too! Now there’s an opportunity!

Our best wishes to you, your family and friends. May it be that every neighbour does become a friend.  

The weather this festive season has been fantastic! Perfect dry and sunny weather has made Hermanus the best holiday destination in South Africa. The beaches were packed with sunbathers and many holiday makers enjoyed walks in Fernkloof with great bird watching a highlight.

One of the most visited activities was the wine tasting at the Wine Village, where we tasted more than 20 wines every day.

New Year was celebrated with tasting bubblies at the Wine Village of Kanu Giselle, Longridge Brut, Waverly Hills Organic, Ambeloui Nicholas, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, Bon Courage’s Jacques Bruere Blanc de Blanc, Saxenburg Private Collection, Lategan Blanc de Blanc, Guinevere and Charles Fox!

Bargain Offers

Less 10% on any of the wines below - until 15 January 2013!

Wine	Platter Rated	Was	Now
Trizanne Sauvignon Blanc 2011	4 stars	R74	R66.60
Arendskloof Pinot Grigio 2012	4 stars	R95	R85.50
Longridge Chardonnay 2009	4 stars	R94	R84.60
Strandveld Navigator 2010	4½ stars	R156	R140.40
Waterford Rosemary 2012	3½ stars	R65	R58.50
Anura Malbec 2006	4 stars	R99.90	R89.90
Spencer Bay The Blend 2009	4 stars	R88	R79.20
Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2010	5 stars	R269.90	R242.90
Are We Having Fun Yet? Merlot 2005	4 stars	R49	R44.10

To purchase any of the above wines simply click here and complete your order, or email me directly.

Competition

Send us your favourite summer recipe. The best recipe will win a case of wine delivered to any address in South Africa. We’ll make up a case of our favourite wines of Hermanus and surrounds for the winner to enjoy.

Whales of Hermanus

In a heart warming Christmas tale that has drawn international interest, a southern right whale in Walker Bay appears to have adopted a lonely orphaned calf.

“One of those incredible moments with undisturbed wildlife,” is how Evan Austin of African Wings describes it. His tour company uses airplanes to watch and count whales during the months when they are in the Walker Bay area. He has been documenting this unique story on his Facebook page since 10 December, when he first noticed the orphan near Pearly Beach.

Austin was hopeful that the calf’s mother was in the vicinity, but during a fly-over the next day the group in the plane spotted only one cow-and-calf pair, with the lone calf lingering nearby. And with the whales departing for Antarctic feeding grounds in the next few weeks, this orphan faced an uncertain future if left alone.

Mother whales already caring for a calf generally do not accept orphaned calves because rearing and protecting a single calf is a monumental task. Twin births are exceedingly rare and an almost unheard-of phenomenon, Austin said.

He added that when the orphan first approached the mother and tried to nurse, the mother started thrashing the water and tried to get away from the calf, but it would not give up. While the mother was not in the vicinity the following day, the two calves seemed to bond and were seen swimming close together.

The following Sunday, African Wings watched from the skies as the mother nursed both calves.

“Both calves look healthy and the mother does not look too thin so there is a chance that all may end well,” Austin stated.

This story has gone viral, with people from the USA, Europe and Australia taking an interest, Austin said. Researchers from the USA have also contacted Austin to interview him.

Wine Shipments

Wines delivered world-wide best to suit the requirements of the client. We also consolidate shipments - ask us for a quote. We send from 1 bottle to full containers world wide. Shipments sent by AIRFREIGHT or SEA FREIGHT. For rates please contact us on winevillage@hermanus.co.za.