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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

Dornier Wines teams up with Anna Foundation

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