Step into Delheim’s mountainside forest and vineyards – without setting a foot outside. But you’ll have to be quick because stock for this exclusive experience is limited. To mark its 10th anniversary of Wild Mushroom Forages, the innovative Stellenbosch winery brings the forest to you.
The hunt for the fabulous fungi is traditionally a fully-booked annual event. This year, it has been re-fashioned with the release of an exceptional culinary delight: the Wild Mushroom Experience-in-a-box. Filled with tastes and textures that capture the spirit of the occasion, the boxes will be available from 8 June, from the winery’s online shop while stocks last.
Delheim was the originator of the now-popular concept of wild mushroom foraging events in the country – more than a decade ago – and has since definitely managed to raise awareness for Mother Nature’s elusive delicacies in South Africa.
“In those years, people were even less familiar with mushroom foraging than today,” recalls Delheim’s Nora Thiel. She showed a few people how it’s done and the idea for organised forages was born. “It took three years before we could get enough people together as interest grew,” she adds.
So what’s in the Delheim Wild Mushroom Experience-in-a-box?
- Each box contains the book, Field Guide to Mushrooms & Other Fungi of South Africa by Gary Goldman and Marieka Gryzenhout. Gary co-hosted forages with Nora Thiel at Delheim for years;
- A bottle of Delheim Chenin Blanc Wild Ferment 2019 (now under cork); Sauvignon Blanc 2019 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2016;
- Dried porcini mushrooms, parmesan cheese and risotto rice plus added extras to make your meal ex-cep-tional; and,
- A recipe card to help you perfect your mushroom risotto.
The wine trio showcased is eminently suitable for this eco-experience. They’re calling cards for the practice of farming in harmony with nature.
The Delheim Chenin Blanc Wild Ferment was winemaker Roelof Lotriet’s first vintage as winemaker at Delheim. He has worked with some of South Africa’s oldest Chenin blanc vineyards and quickly recognised the potential at Delheim.
It was important that the wine tells its story by letting the juice ferment slowly and spontaneously in barrel. “Older blocks are like listening to your father or grandfather’s stories at the campfire,” he says. “They really have more to say and have so many layers.”
The Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon is back in the portfolio, thanks to the culmination of a replanting programme and an exceptional harvest in 2016.
As for the Sauvignon Blanc, its exceptional quality and expression make it perfect for savouring in glass and as a top-notch ingredient for the risotto.
The online shop can be viewed at https://www.delheim.com/shop-online/. Be sure to replenish your special wines and browse the Collector’s Corner of rare vintages.
For more information, visit www.delheim.com or contact Delheim on [email protected] or 021 888 4600. Also find Delheim on Facebook, Twitter @Delheim and Instagram @delheimwines.
As a WWF-SA Conservation Champion, Delheim is acknowledged as an industry leader for its commitment to conservation, responsible production practices and integrated environmental management systems. It is also a founder member of the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy under Cape Nature’s stewardship programme, actively participating in protection and conservation through sustainable practice.
Among its initiatives, Delheim uses a bio-natural water management plant that recycles all cellar waste-water on the farm; takes care to preserve substantial tracts of mountain fynbos; and, promotes bio-diversity. Cape Mountain Leopards are regularly visiting the Delheim property and inspired future conservation on the Simonsberg.Delheim Estate is in the Simonsberg sub-region of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes, on the Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch.
