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bosch was protest-free, we were glad quieter this stunning, world-renowned winery enjoys
Franschhoek was our home base. one of Winelands’ most spectacular settings in
Throughout our time in South Africa, the foothills of Simonsberg Mountain. Views
blackouts were a regular occurrence. The de- stretch across beautiful native fynbos, undu-
mand for electricity exceeds the supply, espe- lating vineyards, and olive groves to the wa-
cially during hot spells, so the national utility ters of False Bay and, on a clear day in Cape
spreads the pain with rolling load-shedding, Town’s iconic Table Mountain.
planned outages 3 to 4 hours long across the Grapes have been tended in this area for
country. At Plumwood the day’s outages were centuries, but Tokara owners GT Ferreria, a
posted, so guests would know when lights and banking magnate, and his wife Anne-Marie
air conditioning would be off. We all grew to sought only a quiet home to raise their family
share Roel’s relief when he announced a day when they purchased a small farm there in
with uninterrupted power. 1994. Five years later, they ventured into
wine-making, naming the new venture after
their children Tom and Kara. The first vin-
Breathtaking Blend
tages in 2003, which combined the talents of
viticulturist Aidan Morton and winemaker
Art and architecture, vineyards and gar-
Stuart Botha, were greeted with acclaim - as
dens, wine-making, and fine cuisine - all equal
have releases ever since.
in the stellar blend that is Tokara Wine Estate,
Traditional varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon
the first of the area’s wineries we visited. A
and Sauvignon Blanc, and classic Bordeaux
half-hour Uber drive from Franschhoek (only
blends dominate Tokara’s wines, but the wine
3 miles if you’re coming from Stellenbosch),
estate itself is refreshingly contemporary. Op-
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