Visit Archives - Silk Bush Mountain Vineyards

My 30th Trip to South Africa

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Dave Jefferson

Chronologically, I may not be a kid anymore, but on this beautiful May day in 2000 I felt like one: we had actually purchased a farm in Africa! That the Wabooms River (more a strong, year-round creek) was still flowing strongly behind me in late fall was very encouraging. The Wabooms rages in the winter and then becomes tame for the rest of the year. But it’s always comforting to farmers to see running water year round. Dave Jefferson

On Friday, September 14th, I’ll make my second trip of this year to the Beloved Country, and my 30th trip since April 1994, then my first trip to South Africa. If “self actualization” is being confused between work and play, being in the Western Cape is near-perfect self actualization. However, the trip from CA (10,000 miles) and the time zone changes (9 or 10, depending upon Daylight Saving status in CA) is strictly work. Continue reading “My 30th Trip to South Africa” →

How to Get to Silkbush

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Dave Jefferson

Here are four routes to get to Silkbush from East, West or South. Start at the lower left corner of this map where is says N-1, then proceed to R101. From there you can take one of three wine routes (WR): WR1 (to the left), WR2 and WR3. The route labeled R43 is how you get to Silkbush if you miss an important turn. Continue reading “How to Get to Silkbush” →

Meet Anton Roos, Our Vineyard Manager

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Dave Jefferson

Our talented vineyard manager and partner, Anton Roos was raised in City of Worcester (a suburb not a farm) about 35 minutes from Silkbush. In high school, he decided that he wanted to go into grape growing and was one of the first graduates of the University of Stellenbosch’s Viticulture and Enology program in 1995.Following graduation, he worked as a Vineyard Consultant for VinPro until 1999 and the Vineyard Manager at Deetlefs Estate until he met Dave Jefferson and was hired as Silkbush’s Vineyard General Manager. He also served a Director at Wabooms Cooperative Winery from 2002 to 2012. Continue reading “Meet Anton Roos, Our Vineyard Manager” →

Western Cape, Cape Town & Cape Winelands Map

Posted on January 2, 2012November 25, 2020 by Dave Jefferson

As you will learn from the photograph galleries, Silkbush Mountain Vineyards is located in one of the most visually stunning places in the world: the Cape Winelands of the Republic of South Africa (RSA).

Silkbush is approximately 1.3 hours NorthEast of Cape Town International Airport via the N1 (a national freeway), and thence the R43 (to Breerivier). (See maps to Vineyards.) The Western Cape has about the same coastal climate as Santa Barbara, California; simply perfect most of the year. Santa Barbara is at 34 degrees North latitude; Cape Town is at 34 degrees South latitude. Virtually the only drawback to visiting the Cape for Americans is the 14+ hour flight from Atlanta, New York or Washington D.C.. We highly recommend going via Europe, spending a few days in London or Amsterdam, and getting your body onto the proper time zone. Then it’s a comfortable overnight flight directly to Cape Town. But once in the country, you will discover a low cost wonderland and a friendly population that largely speaks English — at least as a second language.