With a big top theme, white tent and striped red décor, this
was certainly a circus. A little corny ` Welcome to
Winedereland’ and `Life’s a Cabernet’ but then that’s what a big
circus is all about.
perhaps
Dragonridge was one of 65 exhibitors most of whom offered
wine from all regions of the western cape. Throughout the three days there
were lectures and blind tastings, people dressed up in strange costumes, photo
booths and general bonhomie.
We were warned that the object of the exercise was not so
much selling wine (though we did some of that), but about networking and making
contacts. People were excited about our story which is very different from that
of the bigger wineries.
And they were much interested in the fact that our wines
are natural, with no sulphurs to speak of and therefore hangover free. We made
quite a few valuable contacts and many people were also very interested in
Fynbos Estate – for accommodation, workshops, celebrations and for our periodic
wine and food feasts. Most gratifying though was the look on people’s faces
when they tasted our wines. Aaah! they said. This is good.
There were three days of wine-tasting and we are very
grateful to our helpers over the period, Peter, Geraldene and Sven and Leena.
Would we do it again? Well there was talk of a TOPS boutique
wine show in the future and that would certainly be of more interest as we would
be alongside the smaller more alternative wineries.
