Maison Estate Franshhoek

Estate Releases Award-Winning Shiraz

anthony — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:44:09 +0000

Not long after the launch of Chris Weylandt’s first wine – a Chenin Blanc 2008 under the Maison label – his estate’s maiden red offering is now available. This Maison Shiraz 2008 has recently won a gold award at the SA Young Wines Show 2008.

“Our vineyard produced a small maiden crop of outstanding quality last year,” says Weylandt, CEO and founder of Weylandts Homestores. “We were delighted that our 2008 Shiraz won a gold in the SA Young Wines competition, but the real pleasure has been in seeing the success of our wines.”

Weylandt is an avid wine connoisseur, renowned for his attention to detail and organic design philosophy, and his wine is an eco-conscious labour of love. In 2007 he commissioned winemaker Antwan Bondesio to develop a collection of wines from his Franschhoek vineyards, fulfilling a long-time dream to produce wine under his own farm’s label.

Through vision and a keen interest in winemaking, Weylandt has turned a hobby into a new business opportunity from his home vineyards, which are situated on 4.4 hectares of land on the Franschhoek wine route.

Fermented in small French oak barrels, the maiden vintage Shiraz is the product of a three year old vineyard that has been nurtured with skill, care and respect. Intensive canopy management throughout the growing season ensured proper and even ripening of the grapes, while hand-picked bunches were sorted at the vineyard to ensure only the best quality fruit.

The result is a balanced wine that bursts with berry, chocolate and white pepper flavours. Sweet, ripe tannins are overlaid with stewed plums and liquorice and complemented by lingering hints of cloves and spice.

“Maison is not pretentious wine. We drink it at home with the people closest to us – it is truly our ‘house wine’,” says Weylandt.

“You can travel the world, and explore all its splendour, yet the distinct memory of a smell or the comforting taste of a meal and a moment shared with friends over good wine draws you home.”

Also available from the Maison range:

Maison Chenin Blanc 2008

The first offering from the Maison vineyards, this medium-bodied wine has a velvety texture and great balance. Bright fruit flavours of orange blossom and pear followed by green melon are accompanied by mineral flintiness to a dry and lingering finish. Quaffable for any occasion.

The Maison Shiraz and the Maison Chenin Blanc can be ordered from www.maisonestate.co.za

Maison wins Young Wine Show award for champion shiraz of 2009

anthony — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:44:59 +0000

Maison wins Young Wine Show award for champion shiraz of 2009

Chris Weylandt, the founder and owner of one of South Africa’s most successful décor and lifestyle stores, Weylandts, can now add a new accolade to his list of achievements. His three year old vineyard Maison, which released the maiden vintage of both its Chenin Blanc and its Shiraz in 2008, has recently been awarded the prestigious South African Young Wine Show’s Burgoyne Trophy for 2009 SA Champion Shiraz.

Former winners of the Burgoyne award include established wineries Spier (2004) and Bon Courage (2003). The wooded Maison Shiraz 2009, which is yet to be released, was also awarded the CWH Kohler trophy for the winning wine in its class in this year’s competition.

Out of the 2106 wines which were entered into the SA Young Wine Show in 2009, 17 wines were awarded champion status, 58 were announced as class winners, 104 received gold medals, 481 silver medals were awarded and 828 wines received bronze medals. At last year’s show, Maison received a gold award for its Shiraz 2008 and a bronze for its Chenin Blanc.

“It is gratifying to see how highly our wine has been rated within the first year of its launch” says Weylandt. “It was fantastic to win a gold award for our maiden Shiraz last year, but for the 2009 vintage to be named both the class winner and champion Shiraz by the SA Young Wines Show panel is an amazing reward for our efforts.”

Weylandt is an avid wine connoisseur, renowned for his attention to detail and organic design philosophy, and his wine is an eco-conscious labour of love. In 2007 Weylandt commissioned winemaker Antwan Bondesio to develop a collection of wines from his Franschhoek estate, fulfilling a long–time dream to produce wine under his own farm’s label.

Through vision and a keen interest in winemaking, Weylandt has turned a hobby into a new business opportunity. The farm is situated in the heart of the Franschhoek valley. The vineyards comprise just under 5 hectares, only 1.7 hectares of which are dedicated to Shiraz, with the remainder comprising Chenin Blanc and other cultivars.

“With a very small vineyard like this, attention has to be focussed on the quality, rather than the size, of each crop,” says Bondesio, who trained in oenology and viticulture at Stellenbosch and has worked on wine farms locally as well as in California and the South Island of New Zealand. On his return to South Africa he spent a year making wine at Spier before joining Maison.

“Maison wine is honed with skill, care and respect, yet it is not pretentious wine. We drink it at home with the people closest to us – it is truly our ‘house wine’,” says Weylandt.

Pending the estate’s release of its Shiraz 2009 next year, the following Maison wines are currently available:

Maison Chenin Blanc 2008
The first offering from the Maison vineyards, this medium–bodied wine has a velvety texture and great balance. Bright fruit flavours of orange blossom and pear followed by green melon are accompanied by mineral flintiness to a dry and lingering finish. Quaffable for any occasion.

Maison Shiraz 2008
The estate’s maiden vintage Shiraz is fermented in small French oak barrels. Intensive canopy management throughout the growing season ensured proper and even ripening of the grapes, while hand-picked bunches were sorted at the vineyard to ensure only the best quality fruit. The result is a balanced wine that bursts with berry, chocolate and white pepper flavours. Sweet, ripe tannins are overlaid with stewed plums and liquorice and complemented by lingering hints of cloves and spice.

Wines from the Maison range can be ordered by the case from www.maisonestate.co.za.

Newly Launched Maison Tasting Room an Extension of the Weylandts ‘Good Living’ philosophy

anthony — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:44:51 +0000

A stunning new tasting room and restaurant, nestled in the picturesque Franschoek Valley, was officially opened today at Maison, the wine producing vineyard which also serves as the home of designer furniture retailer Chris Weylandt and Kim Smith.

Incorporating the already successful The Kitchen concept the Tasting Room @ Maison offers a selection of the vineyards vintages, crafted by wine maker Antwan Bondesio, accompanied by an exciting menu prepared by renowned local chef Arno Janse van Rensburg. All this is available in a tranquil relaxing environment that is furnished with beautifully crafted Weylandts designer furniture. The entire offering on the farm harks back to the underlying theme of Good Living, a philosophy that drives and influences Chris Weylandt in all aspects of his life

Chris Weylandt, founder of SA’s leading designer furniture store Weylandts, sees the Tasting Room as an extension of his Good Living philosophy which is a celebration of the senses, and taking the time out to enjoy the simple beauty of relaxed living. It operates on the simple principal of producing great wine, delicious food and great design, a celebration of all that makes life good.

“The senses are important to us – what you see, what you hear, what you taste and touch define the sensory experience and should ideally create a rewarding sense of harmony. I want our customers to understand where things come from and the effort that has made it possible for our enjoyment. This understanding will heighten the appreciation of design and environment”, said Chris.

The latest Maison wine vintages feature a new label and each bottle is personally fingerprinted by wine maker Antwan Bondesio. This little detail reflects the personal attention and care given to each of the Maison wines.

“Maison wines are made only from grapes grown here on the farm. At Maison we want our customers to know something about the place that this wine is grown; from its sandy soils, to the harsh summers and the long cold winters, to the hands that tend the vines. The wine collection is a reflection of what we do”, said Bondesio.

The wine collection includes an existing fruity medium bodied Chenin Blanc and spicy berry chocolate Shiraz. In addition a new Chardonnay, Port, Straw wine, and Viognier have been added to the Maison family.

The Kitchen @ Maison is yet another delightful component of the Weylandt GOOD LIVING experience and is headed by Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg. As with the other editions of The Kitchen (at Weylandts stores in Durbanville, Cape Town and Kramerville, Johannesburg) The Kitchen @ Maison is managed by exciting Executive Consulting Chef Charlene Pretorious who brings her and unique style to the menu.

Chef van Rensburg shares his food philosophy and explains the influences on the menu as, “Taking ingredients, using it with respect and creating a harmony of taste sensations on a plate. Cooking being an art, you need that strong base to transform it and bring it to life with all the different techniques and cooking methods. At Maison I am lucky to be able to express myself through the food. You are guaranteed of only the freshest, best local produce at all times.”

The Maison Tasting Room and The Kitchen sets a relaxed but sophisticated feel with a contemporary twist to the restaurant. The menu, making use of smaller dishes is designed to motivate guests to try more than one or two courses and encourages them to take the Maison culinary ‘GOOD LIVING’ journey.

The Kitchen menu features tantalising dishes which include:

Kudu Bresaola seved with peach, rocket, lemon emulsion and cucumber
Lamb rack, neck torchon, chickpea, cauliflower and lemon atchar
Gnocchi, ricotta, almond, fennel, grape fruit gastrique
A variety of wood-fired pizzas,
An unusual tomato sorbet, almond, basil meringues, goat cheese mousse and wild pepper

Chris Weylandt said, “My team and I welcome you to the farm. Here you are part of the family and are invited to sit back, relax and enjoy the benefits of Good Living in the beautiful surrounds of Maison, our family home for the past 8 years.”