It’s been a while since I’ve updated you about the wines.

So here is the update:

• The Chardonnay / Pinot Noir Blend looks good as does the Pierre Jourdan Brut.
• The Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose will be bottled in just less than two weeks. I’ll let you know how that goes in another blog post.

Before any of you ask you can look forward to the Chardonnay / Pinot Noir Blend in the latter half of the year. Don’t bother asking for specifics because you won’t get them.

As you probably know I was recently in Europe. I attended the 2010 Prowein and I also spent some time visiting key distributors and stockist of our wines and cap classiques.

It was an incredible trip for two reasons:

1. The demand for our wine internationally is growing steadily. We produce some unique and delicious wines (specifically our Haute Cabriere Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend and Pierre Jourdan Tranquille) and the market likes unique and delicious. What was really great was experiencing first-hand the increased interest in and demand for the Pierre Jourdan Tranquille.
2. I had the opportunity, on this trip, to connect with the people who are stocking and selling Haute Cabriere throughout Europe.  I’ve discovered that this connection is important because it personalises the brand. This is a vital component of success - people must be able to put a name and face to a specific wine otherwise you’ll disappear into the new world wine sea.

So what this all means is that I will be back in Europe again next year. If I didn’t see you on this trip look me up on my next one!

If you’re heading out to join us for lunch on Mother’s Day (tomorrow) you’re in luck because we will be offering a glass of or Pierre Jourdan Tranquille to all ladies on Mother’s day. Fantastic!

We will also be giving a red rose to anyone who buys a bottle of Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose this Sunday. Yes we know we’re our wine and cap classique is amazing enough without the rose … so the rose just makes it impossible to beat.

See you tomorrow!

I’ve just returned from a whirlwind overseas trip. It was long, it was busy, it was great!

On this adventure I officially introduced the German market, at Prowein 2010, to the Pierre Jourdan Tranquille. I am happy to report that it was a huge success. In fact Pierre Jourdan Tranquille is proving very successful in a number of wine market (including our own).

If you haven’t yet had a chance to try the Pierre Jourdan Tranquille you can order yourself a case, through our excellent Haute Cabriere online store, and have it delivered to your door.

We’ve noticed a significant increase in the number of cyclists on the road in the last week. It must be all those people getting in some last minute 2010 Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour training. It’s going to be a very busy weekend in Cape Town and the surrounding winelands.

Image courtesy of Jon-Luke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon-luke/3340194433/)

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If you’re cycling the Argus, or loyally supporting someone who is cycling the Argus, you should pop out to Franschhoek and join us at Haute Cabriere for some wine tasting or a spot of lunch or dinner.

Good luck cyclists (and supporters)! We’ll be thinking of you, and your time in the saddle while we sip on some Belle Rose. It’s a tough life but someone has to do it.

Oh and if you see Lance (Armstrong) please remind him that we have Pierre Jourdan with his name on it.

Only one week left until we select our first Pierre Jourdan, Haute Cabrière and Me winner. If you still haven’t entered head on over to our Facebook fan page and upload your photo of your Pierre Jourdan Cap Classique or Haute Cabrière Wine moment, the one with the most comments and likes wins our February 2010 prize (a case of 6 Pierre Jourdan Cap Classiques).

If you’ve already uploaded your picture get your friends to vote. With their help you could be our February winner … and nothing says ‘winner‘ quite like a case of Pierre Jourdan.

There is a very nice video of the Cabriére Sabrage on the Simon and Baker Travel Review site. You’ll see that in this video the person in charge of this specific display of sabrage is non other that Hildegard von Arnim (Takuan’s mother).

So if you’d like to see how Sabrage is really done, and find out about some of the history surrounding it, pay the Simon and Baker Travel Review site a visit.

Valentine’s Day 2010 is almost here. In fact it’s only 4 days away so there is still time for you to pick up the best Valentine’s Day gift ever. There simple isn’t anything that says “I love you” more than Belle Rose and Belgium Chocolate. Thank goodness we had the foresight to combine the two in our 2010 Cabrière Valentine’s Day Gifts.

Not only have we been busy with harvest and busy preparing for Valentine’s Day, we’ve also been busy battling the Franschhoek Fire.

It really has been quite a week.

Valentine’s Day 2010 is only nine days away and even though your partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, lover, mother, father etc may say it doesn’t matter it really does.

Flowers are romantic but, around this time of year, they cost a small fortune … they look nice but that’s about it. What you really want is a gift that both you and your partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, lover, mother, father etc can enjoy together. And what is better to enjoy together than a chilled bottle of Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose and some delicious Belgium chocolate?

For Valentine’s Day 2010 we’ve paired up with Huguenot Fine Chocolates (local Franschhoek producers of Belgium chocolates) and put together a gift everyone can enjoy. For R105,00 you get a bottle of Belle Rose and a heart shaped Belle Rose truffle. Or for R170,00 (only R65,00 more) you get a bottle of Belle Rose, two champagne glasses and two heart shaped Belle Rose truffles. Yum!

You can pop into the Cabrière Tasting Room and the La Cotte Inn (in the Franschhoek Village) to purchase both of these amazing Valentine’s gifts. For more information, or to order the Cabriére 2010 Valentine’s Day gift, contact us on +27 21 876 8500.

Only 23 days left until Valentines Day 2010! That means just over three weeks to start getting everything together because, obviously, you don’t want to leave anything to the last minute. So people will try tell you Valentines Day isn’t important, that it doesn’t matter, that flowers, Méthode Cap Classique and chocolate are overrated. Well those people have no idea what they’re talking about. There is nothing nicer than being on the receiving end of a Valentines Day gift, you feel truly loved.

This year we’re putting together the ultimate Valentines Day gift. Yes it includes a bottle of Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose … it couldn’t possibly be the ultimate Valentines Day gift if it didn’t.