Dornier Wines Stellenbosch

New Blog for Dornier Wines

2010-05-11T18:05:00.001+02:00

Please follow us on our new blog:

http://www.dornierwineblog.com/

There is a great new online recipe book from WOSA that has South African braai (South African grilled food) available here

2010-05-06T09:33:00.001+02:00

Online ebook BRAAI from Wines of South Africa:

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/c958813d#/c958813d/1

Dornier 2006 Donatus receives a 90 for Blended Red Wines in this June's Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide!

2010-05-06T09:14:00.003+02:00

Described as "This alluring Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon blend starts with aromas of black cherry, violets and black currant, leading into waves of black fruit and spice. Structured but smooth, it has a classic, ageable quality. Good minerality gives it an upright character. Delicious now, but definitely can be held."

USA Importer: www.worthwhilewine.com
Other countries contact www.dornier.co.za

Food24 eats at... Dornier Bodega Restaurant

2010-05-06T09:04:00.003+02:00

The Wine

Hey – it’s a wine farm, of course the wine list is going to be good! Fair prices for their own wines (R30 mark-up per bottle from cellar-door prices and all of them available by the glass) and a good list of their neighbours as well at very reasonable prices. I always enjoy their second label wines, especially the Cocoa Hill Rosé which is a great food partner. We were also there to taste the new vintages of the flagship wines – Donatus Red and Donatus White. For my money, the white is the better of the two – a Chenin/Semillon blend utilising old bushvine grapes from Swartland as well as their own. It’s all barrel-fermented and is an extremely well-balanced, food-friendly wine.

For the full review go to:

http://www.food24.com/News-and-Guides/Features/Food24-eats-at-Bodega-Restaurant-20100505

Dornier Bodega Restaurant unveils winter specials

2010-04-29T10:36:00.008+02:00

http://www.dornierwineblog.com/
For all news from Dornier Wines and Dornier Bodega Restaurant

150 Days until the next Asparagus Festival at Dornier Bodgea Restaurant

2010-04-23T14:07:00.003+02:00

I can't wait.

Celebrate South Africa 2010 – Wine Tasting – Los Angeles (May 3rd) & San Francisco (May 6th)

2010-04-23T11:21:00.000+02:00

The Celebrate South Africa 2010 Wine Events are coming to Los Angeles and San Francisco May 3rd and May 6th. Featuring wines from over 50 producers focusing on the quality and value South Africa is bringing to the wine world.
Dornier Wines will be represented by Worthwhile Wines.
More

Dornier officially opens After Care Center for Farm Children

2010-04-23T07:50:00.008+02:00

With the support of Anna Foundation and in association with Waterford Estate, Dornier has officially opened its aftercare center in the renovated community hall. Just under 30 children will be benefiting from the 3R concept promoted by Anna Foundation: Reading, Running, and Right-ing (right lifestyle).In the presence of farm management, children, parents and members of Anna Foundation, Leana Claassen, one of two teachers, cut the ribbon and the children performed dances, songs and gave testimonies of their experiences with the after care.
The introduction of after care is already improving literacy amongst the children. It also helps them to make the right decisions to lead a drug-free life and to avoid unwanted pregnancies and diseases.

Pictures:
The Children in Front of the New After Care Center at Dornier
Part-time teacher Leana Wiese cutting the ribbon
Children performing in the Center, starring Danielle

More about Anna Foundation

Dornier presents first label of the Do-X edition

2010-04-23T07:28:00.008+02:00

Dornier Introduces the first of the Dornier Do-X special labels. It shows one of the 12 propellers of this first Jumbo Jet that held many records.
The wine is a limited release of 1200 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2008 and will only be available through the following channels:
>Select Wines (Germany)
>Dornier Museum (Germany)
>Dornier Wines
>Dornier Wine Club (Register online)
Limited to 12 bottles per person

Dornier presents its redesigned label of the Cocoa Hill range

2010-04-15T11:43:00.007+02:00

Five years after the introduction of the Cocoa Hill range we have decided to sell the wines under the Dornier brand, yet we will retain the logo with the bandanna over the eye and the sub-brand The Pirate of Cocoa Hill on the label. Both the original label and the new label have been developed by Hauman & Small based on a painting by our late founder artist Christoph Dornier.

The range has been very successful in several countries and has received several awards. We see it as a true Dornier product that we are proud of.

The Cocoa Hill range consist of four wines. The Cocoa Hill Red, a Shiraz-based bland, the Chenin blanc, the Sauvignon blanc and the Rose (Merlot/Cabernet Franc)

Interview with our new Chef de Cuisine - Neil Norman

2010-04-15T09:06:00.004+02:00

Neil Norman - Dornier Chef de Cuisine

•What's a typical day in your life like?
I am usually in the kitchen by 07:00, then I start baking fresh breads for the day, when the dough is proving, I will start going through the fridges and look at the quality of all the for the day, and start planning my menu.

•Do you spend a lot of the day eating?
I used to, I’m trying to eat more healthy and stay in shape, I do more tasting now!

•What is your comfort food?
I believe that any hearty meal enjoyed with friends and family is comfort food, but If you want to be technical, its slow cooking some lamb shoulder, or maybe some duck cassoulet, and always a big glass of red wine while you’re busy!

•Who was your greatest cooking influence and why?
For inspiration in the kitchen, I would say Thomas Keller from the French laundry in the Napa valley. For cutting edge flavours, definitely Neil Perry of Australia.

•What was the worst meal you've made and for whom?
We were in Hermanus, and just wanted some fresh fish, so we stopped at the lemon butter, how disappointing. We walked out.

What's your favourite music to cook by?
I enjoy some supper club, hotel costes and café Paris. I like chilled lounge music.

•What would you want your last meal to be?
I would want the Chicago cut with chips and red wine sauce from Belthazar in the waterfront.

•What's your favourite ethnic cuisine and why?
I like Indian, I am a sucker for good curry.

•What is your favourite ingredient to cook with?
At the moment I am quite fond of lime, garlic & chilli. I find it’s a very refreshing combination on fish and in rubs or marinates.

•In a world of instant, pre-cooked and fast-food, what do you think home chefs should take time to make? Should it be bread? Stock? What's the key thing we should spend our time on?
Well moving into winter, I would say that a slow roast on a Sunday, or a beautiful chicken casserole in the week, is a great way to spend time with your family. Speak to your local butcher, he will be able to guide you in the right direction, and they have really good ideas.

•What's your favourite wine?
I love Chenin Blanc for white, but a good Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux blend can’t be beaten.

•What dish would you pair it with and why?
for white, I would like to do something lighter like grilled duck breast or line fish, for the red, I like either roast beef or even grilled veal loin. At home I like to keep it fuss free, so no heavy sauces, keeping to kosher salt and cracked black pepper. My wife enjoys the natural flavours.

•When you're at home, do you spend time in the kitchen or order out?
We used to always be eating out with friends, trying out new places, but for the last week or so we have been cooking healthy foods, and inviting everyone over.

•Where do you get your inspiration for your more complex dishes?
I used to try not think about it too much, and pair flavours when I am cooking in the kitchen with my team, but being at Dornier, we try and focus on having a smaller menu, which myself and the sommelier pair on a day to day basis, so I have more time to source the best produce and design the plate appropriately. We work on a 3-4 flavour rule, so to not over power our wines.

Dornier a big hit at WSWA conference in Las Vegas

2010-04-14T13:23:00.002+02:00

The 67th annual Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Association conference, the biggest gathering of wholesalers in America, was held in Las Vegas from 6-8 April 2010.

Every year the wholesalers have a big wine competition in conjunction with the experts at Tasting Panel Magazine.

Dornier was awarded a silver medal by the panel for its Donatus.

Source: Wine.co.za

Background on Sustainable Wine in South Africa

2010-04-13T09:31:00.007+02:00

Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA) is the alliance between the Wine and Spirit Board (WSB), the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme, the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) and Wines of South Africa (WOSA).

The South Africa wine industry has launched the world's first sustainability seal as a guarantee of eco-friendly production. Issued by the Wine and Spirit Board, the seal, intended for bottled wines only, is backed by a sophisticated tracking system in which bottle contents can be traced back to source at every stage of the supply chain to confirm the integrity of their production.

Every seal carries a unique number, through which the wine's provenance can be tracked from vine to bottle.

Effective from 2010, the voluntary system is available to those wineries to have passed the accreditation of the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) set of sustainable principles, at farm, winery and bottling levels. IPW covers a range of issues such as integrated pest management, the health of workers, the conservation of biodiversity and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

#HANNUWA

The /Xam San, known in colonial times as the Bushmen, were the painters of the rock art we find in the Cape Fold mountains. They were the original environmentalists, regulating their behaviour in harmony with plant and animal cycles, astral movements and climatic phenomena. They saw land as a source of life – a gift to mankind that nourishes, supports and teaches.

Today in South Africa, our wine industry is in a unique position to benefit from this rich heritage, to regain that understanding of our environment, and to relearn this sense of belonging to a natural place. The /Xam San had a word for this, which neatly embodies the new philosophy of the South African wine industry.

The word is #hannuwa. This ancient San word means the gathering of good fortune through living in sustainable harmony with our natural environment.

Wines of South Africa (WOSA) has driven a huge awareness campaign inwards to all our producers because we know that the #hannuwa philosophy must take root where it all starts, at farm level. In total, we have over 4 000 primary producers, many of them mixed farmers.

In December 2005, WOSA mailed them a commitment to sign and a diversity survey to complete, and over 570 producers, representing more than 40% of land planted to vine, signed the following pledge:

I HEREBY COMMIT MYSELF:
To farm sustainably.
To be a custodian of the land and preserve it for our future generations.
To nurture a culture of respect among the people who work with us on our farms and in our cellars.
To promote an environment of dignity, equality and upliftment for all.
To protect the unique and valuable biodiversity of our winelands.
To safeguard the rich heritage of South Africa’s winelands.

#hannuwa is an African wisdom that is now more than 70 000 years old. We are embracing it with enthusiasm and it is the inspiration for Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA).

Dornier is part of the initiative and will use the new seal from its 2010 vintage.

Source: SWSA Website

For background information on the new seal, visit: http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=105987
Wosa

Winemakers Dinner at Dornier Bodega Restaurant

2010-03-20T10:41:00.002+02:00

A late night in March at the Dornier Bodega Restaurant (Pictures Juerg Wittwer)

Harvest initiation at Dornier - 6 March 2010

2010-03-06T21:17:00.008+02:00

On a magnificent day we met at the Dornier Bodega Restaurant for muffins and coffee and took of for the vineyards on a tractor trailer. Winemaker JC Steyn, took us to merlot block 8 where 40 harvesters had been working since the early morning hours. The labour broker had brought an extra team with the result that there where no scissors left for the visitors. Instead of grapes most of us went after nice photo motives and there where plenty. After this, we drove back to the cellar for a cellar tour.

JC explained the process of winecmaking. We could experience de-stemming, crushing, pump-overs, fermenting wine in open tanks, addition of yeast, pressing. We tried unfermented and semi-fermented wines; Chein Blanc, Rose from Cabernet Franc as well as red wine. We did some grape stomping in front of the cellar, which was a great experience for the kids and some of the grown ups.
Lunch with more wines at Bodega was fabulous and we lingered until 4 in the afternoon.

The company was great. People came from Stellenbosch, Somerset West, England, Germany, and Russia. We hope to stay in touch.

Two empty bottles turned into a piece of art, and a tribute to two pioneers

2010-03-03T16:18:00.017+02:00

The special label on the Dornier Donatus Red bottles was a tribute to the Swiss aviation pioneer Walter Mittelholzer, the holder of many flight records in the twenties and thirties of the last century and one of the founders of Swissair and to Claude Dornier, the German aircraft builder. In 1926/27 Mittelholzer was the first to fly across Africa on a seaplane, a Dornier Merkur.
His daughter in law, the Swiss artist Mascha Mioni, who is a regular visitor to Stellenbosch got inspired and re-designed the two bottles in bright (Swiss) red colours and secret messages. The bottles can be viewed at the Estate.

Harvest 2010 at Dornier Wines

2010-02-26T15:35:00.002+02:00

Sorting Table

Sorting Table

Pinotage in the basket press

Viticulturist Theunis Bell

Winemaker JC Steyn after work

Thisteldown horses at Dornier

2010-02-21T16:32:00.006+02:00

Dornier Harvest 2010 - Fermenting Pinotage in Open Oak Barrels

2010-02-17T08:48:00.007+02:00

Fermenting wine on wood, especially new, (we have 20% new wood) integrates the wood much better and also changes some of the wood components as they are metabolised by the yeast during fermentation.

JC Steyn, Winemaker at Dornier)

Dornier Pinotage

Wine & Dine in Style at Vanilla Restaurant in Cape Town

2010-02-17T08:28:00.006+02:00

Vanilla is Cape Town's own piece of Manhattan. It's show business style dining at it's finest and most glamorous, with evocative global cuisine to match.

Vanilla Restaurant/
Dornier Pinotage

Harvest 2010 at Dornier

2010-02-16T16:52:00.007+02:00

1930 - Dornier Do X takes off for World Tour 80 years ago

2010-02-15T10:09:00.005+02:00

It was Claude Dornier's most ambitious project, the first Jumbo aircraft and a record holder for many years.

In commemoration of the World Flight of the Do-X 80 years ago, Dornier Wines announces a limited release of a special label Dornier Donatus 2006.

The wines will only be available from Dornier Wines in Stellenbosch, to members of the Dornier Club, from Select Wines in Berlin and from the Dornier Museum in Friedrichshafen. The release is scheduled for March/April 2010.

Design

The Do X had an all-duralumin hull, with wings composed of a steel-reinforced duralumin framework covered in heavy linen fabric, covered with aluminum paint.

It was initially powered by 12 391 kW (524 hp) Siemens-built Bristol Jupiter radial engines (six tractor propellers and six pushers), mounted in six tower nacelles on the wing. The air-cooled Jupiter engines were prone to overheating and proved to only be able to lift the Do X to an altitude of 425 m (1,400 ft). The engines were supervised by an engineer, who also controlled the throttle. The pilot would ask the engineer to adjust the power, in a manner similar to that used on maritime vessels. After completing 103 flights in 1930, the Do X was refitted with 455 kW (610 hp) Curtiss Conqueror water-cooled 12-cylinder inline engines. Only then was it able to reach the altitude of 500 m (1,650 ft) necessary to cross the Atlantic. Dr. Dornier designed the flying boat to carry 66 passengers long distance or 100 on shorter flights.

The luxurious passenger accommodations approached the standards of transatlantic liners. On the main deck was a smoking room with its own wet bar, a dining salon, and seating for the 66 passengers which could also be converted to sleeping berths for night flights. Aft of the passenger spaces was an all-electric galley, lavatories, and cargo hold. The cockpit, navigational office, engine control and radio rooms were on the upper deck. The lower deck held fuel tanks and nine watertight compartments, only seven of which were needed to provide full flotation.

Operation

The Flugschiff (flying ship), as it was called, was launched for its first test flight on July 12, 1929, with a crew of 14. In order to satisfy skeptics, on its 70th test flight on October 21st there were 169 souls on board; 150 passengers (mostly production workers and their families, and a few journalists), 10 aircrew and 9 "stowaways", who did not hold tickets. The flight broke the then world record for the number of persons carried on a single flight, a record that was not broken for another 20 years. After a takeoff run of 50 seconds the Do X slowly climbed to an altitude of only 200 m (650 ft). As a result of the ship's size, passengers were asked to crowd together on one side or the other to help make turns. It flew for 40 minutes (Flug Revue claims it was the 42nd flight and lasted 53 minutes) at a maximum speed of 170 km/h (105 mph) before finally landing on Lake Constance.

To introduce the massive airliner to the potential United States market the Do X took off from Friedrichshafen, Germany on November 3, 1930, under the command of Friedrich Christiansen for a transatlantic test flight to New York. The route took the Do X to the Netherlands, England, France, Spain, and Portugal. The journey was interrupted at Lisbon on November 29th, however, when a tarpaulin made contact with a hot exhaust pipe and started a fire that consumed most of the portside wing. After sitting in Lisbon harbor for six weeks while new parts were fabricated and the damage repaired, the flying boat continued (with several further mishaps and delays) along the Western coast of Africa and by 5 June 1931 had reached the Capverdian Islands, South America[3] where the crew were greeted as heroes by the local German émigré communities.
Cover carried from Rio de Janeiro to New York on the DO-X, August 5-27, 1931

The flight continued north to the United States, finally reaching New York on August 27, 1931, almost nine months after departing Friedrichshafen. The Do X and crew spent the next nine months there as its engines were overhauled, and thousands of sightseers made the trip to Glenn Curtiss Airport (now LaGuardia Airport) to tour the leviathan of the air. The economic effects of the Great Depression dashed Dornier's marketing plans for the Do X, however, and it departed from New York on May 21,1932 via Newfoundland and the Azores to Müggelsee, Berlin where it arrived on May 24 and was met by a cheering crowd of 200,000. (Source: Wikipedia)

Do-X on youTube

Do-X 80 years ago

For inquiries please contact Dornier Wines:
info@dornier.co.za
Tel: +27 21 8800557

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Harvest* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)

2010-02-04T22:13:00.004+02:00

After our successful Pruning initiation last year, we will let you experience harvest first hand. Winemaker JC Steyn will initiate you in harvesting. You won't have to work too hard though, as a food and wine experience will await you at the Dornier Bodega Restaurant.

For bookings please send email to bodega@dornier.co.za or call 021.8800557.

Husbands and Wives, Lovers Beware. This Year Valentine's Dinner at Dornier Bodega Restaurant will be on Saturday 13 February 2010

2010-01-22T08:27:00.005+02:00

Enjoy a romantic evening at the Dornier Bodega Restaurant with a magic menu and great wines.

For bookings call 021 8800557 or send a booking inquiry to bodega@dornier.co.za

Christoph Dornier - A Beautiful Mind

2009-12-04T10:36:00.007+02:00

Christoph Dornier was born on December 4th 1938 as the youngest child of Claude Dornier, the German aviation pioneer.

Art has been his vocation from early days. After art schools in Switzerland and Germany, he has developed his trademark style made of symbols, riddles and bright colours.

Christoph was the founder of the Christoph Dornier Foundation for behavioural psychology in Germany, the Christoph Dornier Clinic in Germany, Dornier Wines in South Africa, and the co-founder of De Zalze Golf Estate in South Africa.

Christoph passed away on August 14th 2008 in Lucerne.

More medals than we thought

2009-12-01T16:29:00.003+02:00

By airmail, we have received today 3 certificates for our wines from the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London.

So far we had only been notified of the Bronze Medal for our Dornier Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.

In addition to this, we have received a Silver and Best in Class for our Donatus White 2008 and a Silver for our Donatus Red 2006.

Congratulations to our winemaker JC Steyn.

Dornier list of accolades.

Dornier Bodega Restaurant Declares Summer is Here

2009-11-29T17:45:00.005+02:00

South Africa, Stellenbosch, November 2009; TUCKED in a secluded valley, just five minutes’ drive from Stellenbosch, is Dornier Bodega Restaurant. Known for its fresh farm cuisine, perfectly paired with wines from the estate, Bodega is dishing up an enticing new summer menu to welcome in the season, along with a delectable tapas and wine menu. And there’s a special, romantic offering for Valentine’s Day too.

Bodega chef, Naas Pienaar, says “Bodega Restaurant and Dornier Wines are a lifestyle. It’s not just about good wine or food, but enjoying them in careful combination. This summer, I have worked even more closely with our winemaker JC Steyn and paired food with wines, rather than the other way round – which is the norm. So the summer dinner menu is called the Winemaker's Dinner Menu, with the purpose of enjoying the estate’s wines perfectly matched to the meal. On offer is a delectable three-course menu, with choices, and accompanied by two matched glasses of wine - for R250.00 per person. There is also a four-course option with three glasses of wine. So you definitely won’t leave hungry.”
However, Naas says the most beautiful time of the day at Bodega is at sunset. “The mountain is bathed in red light that reflects off the cellar’s roof, but lunch and dinner guests don’t see this. So we’ve designed a special Summer Sunset Tapas menu for guests to enjoy in this magnificent setting.” The Mediterranean mezze platters are filled with delicacies; there are decadent cheese platters, freshly baked breads plus two glasses of red wine and two glasses of white wine for R150.00 per person – served daily from 18h00 to 19h30. “It’s for the fun crowd,” says Raphael Dornier, MD of Dornier Wines, “and the perfect way to enjoy snacky food in a stunning summer setting. I think it’s going to be extremely popular.”

For Valentine’s Day, Naas has planned a three-course menu that is both a culinary and sensual experience. Guests are welcomed with a glass of bubbly followed by a matched glass of wine with the starter and main course. For the starter, think luscious red figs stuffed with Spanish cured ham and topped with melted gorgonzola cheese, or a decadent double-baked goat’s cheese soufflé. The main course is sole with oysters poached in a heady champagne and saffron sauce, or kudu filet with a rich red-current jus, dessert is a velvety dark Swiss-chocolate fondue with homemade Turkish delight, nougat, brandy snaps and a variety of other little tidbits to dip and share. Naas says: “It’s all about romance, pleasure and sharing – Mediterranean style.”

Bodega’s informal, yet stylish, dining concept is inspired by the Spanish tradition of presenting food and wine at the cellar door. Flavours of fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce permeate the seasonal menu. Many of the fresh vegetables and herbs are grown at Bodega. The rest are the finest offerings from the region, such as West Coast salt form Velddrif and organic olives from Vanwyksdorp. Fresh fish is delivered daily, and organic and free range products are always first choice.

“We cook from the heart,” says Naas, “our dishes are not from recipe books. We cook and taste as we go, so some dishes will taste a little bit different day to day. I also believe it’s important to treat food with respect, and it shouldn’t be touched too much. Each item on the plate is individually cooked too.”

A unique offering soon to be added to the Bodega menu is cultivated perlemoen (abalone), which will be prepared following Naas’s grandmother’s recipe – handed down through generations. “It’s an old Hugenot recipe, which is my favourite. Enduring dishes fascinate me, as well as ethnic and traditional food. I know I can put smiles on people’s faces with my cooking. And that is the ultimate thrill for me.”

Dornier Bodega Restaurant
Bodega – which means ‘cellar’ in Spanish – is open seven days a week for lunch (12.00 - 17.00), and for dinner (18.00 – 21.30) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Please book your table to avoid disappointment.
Call on (27) (21) 880 0557 or book online

Dornier's 50 Yen Project - helping children with special educational needs

2009-11-26T22:47:00.002+02:00

Every bottle of Dornier Cocoa Hill wines that sells in Japan has a silver 50 Yen sticker on it. Similar to the Japanese 50 Yen coin it carries a simple message. With every bottle purchased, the equivalent of 50 Yen will be donated to a charity in South Africa focussed on child education.

Tsukasa Miyake of Masuda Ltd., Dornier's Japanese importer to Japan, who had himself spent several years in South Africa, always wanted to generate support to South African children and we eventually found this way to raise the money for a well respected charity organisation. Japanese consumers are responding very well to the project and are gladly paying a little extra for the wine. Since April 2008 Japanese consumers have contributed R28 200.00 in total to the Pebbles Project.

The Pebbles Project was established in 2004 to offer support to children with special educational needs, particularly those whose lives are affected by alcohol in some way, in the Western Cape of South Africa.

The Pebbles Project believes that if a child, particularly one with special needs of any kind, is supported and given the necessary education at an early age, they are far more likely to go on to achieve more at school, and become well-adjusted, educated and achieving adults.

Pictures: pebblesprojekt.co.za

Dornier Wines Cocoa Hill Range

Pebbles Project

Lots of red ink for Dornier Wines in Platter 2010 (this is good)

2009-11-24T23:12:00.005+02:00

Highlights from the new Platter guide:

"Pinotage 4*, some pinot-like finesse on 2007, with loevely clear berry fruit only a touch jammy. Big but reined-in & polished tannins not pushed by clever light French oaking. Lingering flavours."

"Natural Sweet (new) 4*. Made of golden 2007, from rack-dried chenin... Poweful sultana, bruised apple notes. Richly sweet but clean and fresh." This wine has not been released yet and will be only available from the cellar and for members of the Dornier Club.

"Cabernet Sauvignon, 4*, Serious, classically styled and well oaked."

Congratulations to winemaker JC Steyn

Source: Platter's South African Wines 2010, p. 261

VINS DIVINS by Stéphane Hébert: Pirate of Cocoa Hill Red 2007

2009-11-24T22:34:00.002+02:00

Exubérance du Cabernet Sauvignon, puissance de la Shiraz, élégance du Merlot, fragrance du Cabernet Franc. Résultat ? Un vin sud-africain aux complexes effluves de moka, de mûre, de cerise noire, de chocolat, de clou de girofle et de réglisse noire. Une bouche dense, quasi crémeuse, épicée, aux saveurs de havane, de cerise noire, de bleuet et de café au lait. Malgré ses airs un peu bouffis de par un généreux fruité, des tannins bien présents et un taux d’alcool de 14%, voilà un vin d’un très bel quilibre, gourmand, où la fraîcheur est au rendez-vous. Étonnant.

Code produit SAQ 10679361, 14,60$/750 ml

Dornier Wine Club with 500 members

2009-11-24T20:03:00.000+02:00

After 12 Months, the Dornier Wine Club has grown to 500 members. The Club offers exclusive events, access to limited wine releases, regular updates, and discounts on wine and restaurant* purchases.

The Benefits

Members of THE CLUB will receive a range of special benefits:

Club Membership benefits

A 5% discount on Dornier wines purchased, retail only
Complimentary wine tasting for the member and one guest
Subscription to our newsletter
Special offers
Invitations to events & tastings

*Premium Membership benefits

A 10% discount on Dornier retail wines & all Bodega Restaurant purchases
Complimentary wine tasting for the member and one guest
Subscription to our newsletter
Special offers
Invitations to special events & tastings

Please note: Members of THE CLUB must be at least 18 years of age.

Apply for membership

A memorable night at 1800 Degrees Restaurant in Cape Town

2009-11-23T08:42:00.006+02:00

Dornier Wines teams up with Anna Foundation

2009-11-23T08:04:00.007+02:00

From January 2010, school children living on Dornier Wine Estate will benefit from an extracurricular programme developed by the Anna Foundation. The programme aims to teach these children important life skills as well as assist and improve their education. By involving these children in the Anna Foundation extracurricular programmes they will be exposed to new opportunities in life. In partnering with the Anna Foundation, Dornier has chosen to invest in these children’s futures.

ANNA FOUNDATION AND THE 3 R’S PROGRAMME:

The “3 R’s: Reading, Running and Right-ing” programme is based on a philosophy of holistic development and a belief in ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’. We are passionate about empowering each child to be able to make positive and uplifiting life choices for future goals and contributions to South African Society. This is being achieved through literacy, sport and life skills programs.

WHY READING?
We appreciate the importance of being a role player in providing an educational service within the farming communities. We acknowledge the challenges faced by the current education system and aim to provide immediate and direct relief for the children with whom we work.

WHY RUNNING?
Sports and Fitness in general has the following direct impact:
Awareness and commitment to healthy and active life style
Greater self worth through accomplishments of personal sports achievements (everyone a winner)
Helps develop anti-drug attitude
Constructive use of leisure time
Improved levels of concentration, control and discipline = impact on school learning results
Development of teamwork and group cohesion
Potential future interest/career in sports

WHY RIGHTING?
The idea of right living refers to right life style, right choices, right attitude, right behaviour: ‘right me’. Hereby all children raised through the programme will truly be worthy ambassadors for their community and their country.

WHAT ELSE DOES THE ANNA FOUNDATION OFFER?
RIDING!: 54 bikes rotating between farm projects + a development cycling team racing in local events!

SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME: 8 farm children sponsored to attend Stellenbosch Primary and Bloemhof high school. Afternoon support provided plus transport and a driver!
PLAY2PRO: Career development and skills training for teenage learners from the farming communities!

For more information contact Dornier Wines, info@dornier.co.za, tel. 021 8800557, www.dornier.co.za
Anna Foudation: anna@annafoundation.com, www.annafoundation.com, tel. 021 – 8851922
Donations: www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?c=1961

Dornier Wines on Canadian TV - Tout le monde en parle

2009-11-22T20:01:00.001+02:00

Tout le monde en parle: The Cocoa Hill Red is the wine of the week.
Link

Dornier Wines recommended in Getaway Magazine

2009-11-22T19:53:00.000+02:00

"Architecturally impressive Dornier Wines is worth a trip .... Make a beeline for the Chenin Blanc and Merlot in the attractive tasting room, then experience flavourful country cooking with a modern twist. Vegetarians aren't neglected." Gateway, Decenber 2009, p. 42

New: Wines & Tapas at Dornier Bodega Restaurant

2009-11-21T23:57:00.001+02:00

Friday-Saturday
18h00-19h30
Booking essential
Tel:021 8800557
Website

New: Winemaker's Dinner Menu at the Dornier Bodega Restaurant

2009-11-21T23:44:00.001+02:00

Friday-Saturday.
Bookings essential.

Wine, dine and blind tasting competition with Dornier winemaker JC Steyn

2009-11-21T23:24:00.000+02:00

Friday 27 November 2009
Dornier Bodega Restaurant 18h00

Dornier Wines winemaker JC Steyn invites to an entertaining evening at the Bodega Restaurant. We will host a blind tasting competition followed by a three course dinner paired with wines. You don't need to be a pro. Just come and find out more about the wines. The winner gets a Dornier Donatus Magnum (Platter 4.5 stars).

Dornier's Chenin Blanc Focus

2009-11-20T08:56:00.001+02:00

WITH roughly 18,8% of the total vineyard area in South Africa planted to Chenin blanc, it is South Africa’s most planted varietal. And while it was once considered the workhorse of the wine industry it has lost its Cinderella status and today demonstrates its versatility by the different styles of single cultivar wines it is made into - from fruity luscious whites to sumptuous wooded wines to dry quaffers. Not to mention its role in brandy and in dessert wines.

Since their inception as a wine estate – Dornier Wines has been making white wine with a Chenin blanc focus. Today they produce three differenttiers of wines including threetiers of Chenins – Cocoa Hill Chenin blanc, Dornier Chenin blanc and their flagship Donatus White – a blend of Chenin blanc and Semillon. These wines all showcase handsome varietal-driven offerings and Dornier has recently released new vintages of each of these wines.

Different Styles of Chenin Blanc
When asked about why they produce three different Chenin Blanc focused wines, winemaker JC Steyn referred to the six styles recognised by the Chenin blanc Association of South Africa. ‘Of the six styles, we currently offer three: The Cocoa Hill Chenin blanc fits into the Chenin blanc Association’s fresh and fruity category. Grapes for this wine were harvested at lower sugar level in order to obtain this fresh and fruity expression - as opposed to the grapes for the Dornier Chenin blanc which were rather ripe in order to fall into the category known as ‘rich and ripe unwooded’ says Steyn.

JC further comments ‘Our final offering and flagship white wine - the Donatus, falls into the Chenin Blanc Association’s rich and ripe wooded category’. However it must be noted that we really make a point of it to obtain a certain level of freshness in the Donatus White blend. Often this comes from the Semillon, but harvest time for the Chenin is crucial in also obtaining these elements for the main variety. One attribute we portray is how well Chenin blanc handles wood ageing.’

Resistant to many diseases, vine vigour, and the tendency to early bud break as well as late ripening suits Chenin blanc to grow in warm climates. The vines grow well in many soil types and terroirs. In the old days, in spite of its wide plantings most Chenin blanc was made into serviceable, but generally bland wine. There was general tendency to over-irrigate and over crop, reducing most Chenin blanc to the forgettable.

But today, careful viticultural practices have easily overcome Chenin blanc's weaknesses and have resulted in many excellent flavour-packed wines. Here, more and more wine farms are placing greater emphasis on suiting specific vineyards to the varietal and undertaking more stringent viticultural practices to ensure quality grapes. The result is wines that demonstrate excellent terroir and varietal characteristics.

2009 Cocoa Hill Chenin Blanc – Fresh & Fruity (unwooded)
The 2009 Cocoa Hill Chenin Blanc demonstrates that terroir is key to producing flavour – the grapes for this wine were grown in prime terroir in the decomposed red granite soils of Cocoa Hill, which gives the range its name.

The 2009 vintage was considered one of the best in the last six years, with a mild, dry temperate climate, allowing for better quality. While yields were slightly lower, this led to more intense flavours. Grapes selected for the wine ranged from vines aged from 19 to 52 years and were gently pressed to allow the wine to speak for itself, with as little intervention as possible. The juice was individually fermented in stainless steel tanks for 10 days and then remained on the full lees for a further two months, to allow for maximum fullness and complexity.

Winemaker JC Steyn describes the wine as offering up flavours of banana, honeysuckle and ripe loquats. Nuances of citrus coupled with an appealing warmth and richness are testimony to the fact that the wine was left for so long on the lees. The finish shows clean and crisp tropical fruit.

2009 Dornier Chenin Blanc – Rich and Ripe (unwooded)
Grapes for 2009 Dornier Chenin blanc – a completely new addition to the Dornier line-up, were regarded as one of the best at harvest since 2003. Again crop levels were slightly lower, allowing for concentrated fruit flavours.

This time the fruit came from the semi-arid Swartland area, which is extremely well known for its dry-land bush vine Chenin blanc grapes. With a somewhat harsh terroir, the fruit delivers singular quality and highly expressive flavours. Grapes were lightly pressed and then aged in steel tanks and older oak barrels, with the wine remaining on full lees for a further five months before filtering and bottling.

Winemaker JC Steyn describes the wine as demonstrating fresh whiffs of litchi, ripe, white pear and peach on the nose, while offering up fabulously rich flavours, with a concentrated yet silky mouth-feel. A crisp finish with a distinct mineral quality adds to the final appeal. The wine has good ageing potential of at least two years.

2008 Dornier Donatus White – Rich & Ripe (Wooded)
Dornier’s flagship range - Donatus offers singular quality, elegance and complexity in its wines. The 2008 Donatus White is a blend of Chenin blanc (65%) and Semillon (35%) and admirably combines the opulence and complexity of
barrel-aged Chenin Blanc with the freshness and rich mouthfeel of the Semillon.

Winter leading up to the 2008 vintage provided almost ideal conditions, with
cold weather and good rains offering optimum conditions for complete vine dormancy, thus resulting in an even and good quality crop. The cooler temperatures meant that grapes ripened slowly, with intense flavours developing in the two varietals.

Grapes were harvested in the cool early morning hours and only the minimum yields were extracted. The wine was fermented slowly in both first- and second-fill French oak barrels to allow for maximum freshness and both varietals spent seven months on the full lees in the barrel, resulting in a singular roundness and depth.

With eight months of oak maturation, the wine has a luscious golden hue. Steyn describes the Donatus White as being handsomely rich with aromas of white pear and cumquat, complemented by nuances of honey and citrus. The Semillon gives a fullness and richness combining well with the freshness, elegance and complexity of the Chenin blanc. With a deliciously silky finish with a densely layered aftertaste, this fine wine will age well for up to five years.

Natalie MacLean's Wine Reviews

2009-05-06T08:48:00.001+02:00

Vintages Wine Picks January 10, 2009

2004 Dornier Cabernet Franc Blend, W.O. Stellenbosch, Africa: A blend of Cabernet Franc (70%) and Merlot (30%). Dense aromas of black fruit, garrigue, roasted coffee and mocha. Great fruit extraction with a warm, lengthy finish. Pair with: goat cheese, lightly spiced curries, babaganoush, asparagus, pepperoni pizza. 606020 14.00% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. January 10, 2009

www.nataliemaclean.com

Top ratings for Dorneir in Wein Wisser

2009-05-05T12:08:00.000+02:00

Weinpapst Rene Gabriel gab den Weinen von Dornier top noten: Dornier Donatus White 2006: "Ein ganz spezieller, unvergleichlicher Wein. 18/20", Dornier Donatus Red 2004: "Ein veritabler Ladykiller. 18/20." Read article

Top ratings for Dornier in Wein Wisser

2009-03-05T12:08:00.001+02:00

Top ratings for Dorneir in Wein Wisser

2009-03-05T12:08:00.000+02:00

Angela Lloyd rates Dornier Donatus and Pinotage highly

2009-02-20T12:05:00.000+02:00

GRAPE.CO.ZA: The Dornier Pinotage 2007 (R77) 16.5 couldn't be more different; it is an elegant, sophisticated wine with sound ageing potential for eight to ten years. The deep ruby colour is layered and limpid; a touch of cedary oak seasons the quiet, dark berry fruit, reflective more of its pinot than its cinsaut parentage. A refreshing minerality lifts the rich savouriness, which flows unhindered to a lengthy finish thanks to the beautifully managed, polished tannins. Careful oaking, all French and 11% new for a year, does the correct job of enhancing the wine. We enjoyed it at a coolish 16-17ºC. Also impressive is the Dornier Donatus White 2007 (R96) 16, a blend of chenin blanc and semillon (74/26). Each variety is barrel-fermented in a mix of new and used French oak and aged on the lees for a further seven months before blending and bottling. Like all quality blends, the varieties create an homongenous and interesting whole; a whiff of new oak vanilla is presently noticeable but should marry as the wine ages. Medium-bodied and refined with a fine, mineral core, it leaves the impression that greater dimension is there to unfold over the next four to five years. A worthy addition to the list of top white blends.

enobook.de rates Dornier

2008-11-05T12:03:00.000+02:00

Dr. E. Supp writes: @@@ Dornier Wines. Stellenbosch Chenin blanc Cocoa Hill 2008: grünstroh, feine, saubere Fruchtaromen in der Nase, am Gaumen saftig, fest, schöner, frischer Wein **** Stellenbosch Donatus white 2007: silbriges Grünstroh, etwas rauchige Bananenschale, am Gaumen recht saftig und fest strukturiert, guter Stoff *** Coastal Region The pirate of cocoa hill 2006: dichtes, gutes Rot, feine Kirschfrucht mit leicht zedriger Würze, gute Dichte, aber etwas wenig Saft und noch leichte Schärfe in den Tanninen **** Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2006: frisches, dichtes Rot, noch sehr verschlossen, aber mit sauberem, tiefem Duft und klassischer, eleganter Struktur, braucht noch Zeit *****? Stellenbosch Donatus 2006: dunkles, schönes Rubin, tiefer, etwas zedriger Duft, viel Frucht und Extrakt am Gaumen, festes, noch junges Tannin, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial **** Stellenbosch Pinotage 2006: frisches, dichtes Rubinrot, süße Blaubeeren im Duft, saftig, rund, von festen Tanninen getragen, schön.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN writes on Dornier Wines

2007-12-05T11:50:00.000+02:00

Read what Graham Howe writes about Dornier and the Restaurant.

Country Life on the Dornier Bodega Restaurant

2007-10-31T11:35:00.002+02:00

Gred Landmann: There is something utterly irresistible about spending a day in the country, eating the food on a wine estate, drinking their wine and gazing at the vineyards from which grapes were harvested. Read on

More info about the Dornier Restaurant (Bodega)

Bookings

The Pirate of Cocoa Hill - Dornier's Range of Playful Wines

2006-11-15T11:11:00.007+02:00

South Africa, Stellenbosch, Summer 2006 / 2007; In a time of seafaring and spice, pirates played in Table Bay...If you'll believe it! A certain Long Ben presented us with abundant inspiration in the creation of the Cocoa Hill wines, two playful and fun-filled new additions to Stellenbosch producer Dornier Wines' acclaimed range. The Pirate The Cape at the time of its Dutch occupation was a fascinating place. The era evokes images of a wild and uncharted continent; mysterious indigenous peoples; ivory sails fluttering above burly wooden ships; and the rich, exotic colours and textures of the treasures of the East - demand for the latter in the West, the very reason for the Cape of Good Hope's existence. This was the world of Long Ben and his gang of erstwhile brutes. Long Ben was a feared English pirate who pillaged ships along the Spice Route and around the Cape at the time of its Dutch occupation, archives dating from the seventeenth century indicate. Following a long line of offences, he eventually had to flee the authorities or face prosecution and ingeniously assumed a new identity under the guise of winegrowing in the Stellenbosch region. Long Ben's grapes grew in deep, dark soils on a hilltop in the Blaauwklippen area - home to Dornier Wines today - which he named Cocoa Hill and was seen peering out to the seas from often& longing for the ocean and his old ways, it is said.

The Dornier Wine Collection

BMW shoot at Dornier Wines

2006-07-30T11:52:00.000+02:00

Dornier Donatus White featured in Wine Library TV

2006-06-27T11:44:00.001+02:00

Gary Vaynerchuk (VAY NER CHUK) goes to South Africa!

Dornier Donatus White 2004

The Alchemy of Wine, Stories

2006-03-09T11:05:00.001+02:00

BUSINESS DAY: If he were able, says Christoph Dornier, he would write what he paints. Since he believes he cannot convincingly express himself with words, Dornier’s surrealistic stories — labyrinths of dreams, riddles, mythology, secrets and symbols — are captured, in unfettered colour and imagery, on canvas. Dornier is intrigued by metamorphosis. A large painting of a female torso with the head of Zeus transforming into a two-headed swan overlooks the tasting room at the winery. “The thought that a plant can become a human being and vice versa, a face can become a fire, or a female body, an instrument, is an attractive thought to me. With a paint stroke, an abstract work can suddenly produce an animal. Out of coincidence, something new can develop.”

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The Alchemy of Wine, Stories

2006-03-09T11:05:00.000+02:00

Just a nice car at Dornier Wines

2006-02-10T11:30:00.000+02:00

source: www.muschalla.com

Dornier Wines featured in One Small Seed Magazine

2006-02-01T11:37:00.001+02:00

Combining elegant wines and award-winning architecture, Dornier Wine Estate creatively fuses the opposites of change and stasis, seriousness and pleasure, complexity and simplicity. By Mia Russell
Nestled in the heart of the Stellenbosch Valley and surrounded by lush green mountains, lies the elegant Dornier Wine Estate. Claiming both local and fast-growing international fame for their wines, Dornier is also an architectural gem and in an industry where competition is rife and differences often indistinguishable, the distinct quality and unconventional style of Dornier Wine Estate, sets it apart and places it a cut above the rest.

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