Pietman Retief is recently retired after 35 years with a leading winery, Distell, where he last headed their Public Relations. Living in Stellenbosch itself, where he previously attended university, Pietman also volunteers as a docent at a local museum in his spare time. A former rugby player in his youth, years later on the South African Rugby Board as its General Manager, Pietman also has a keen interest in history and has traveled extensively abroad. Rather than laud him further here, simply go to his website for more of his exceptional background. Then send him an email and see if he is available.
Author: Dave Jefferson
Special Lodging in Cape Town
An excellent place to stay, with a stunning water view, super food, and five minutes from the Table Mountain cable car, is Diamond House Bed & Breakfast in Camps Bay.
Another place we recommend is Greenways Country House . Located in an upscale, quiet neighborhood east of Table Mountain, Greenways has wonderful grounds, a swimming pool, and an excellent restaurant. More than just a nice B&B, Greenways can handle larger groups, including evening food service. This can be a large plus for international visitors with time constraints. (Neither of the two places is inexpensive, mind you, but quality costs.) Continue reading “Special Lodging in Cape Town”
Meet Anton Roos, Our Vineyard Manager
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
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.
