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DECEMBER 2009 |
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It feels as though the year of 2009 has simply
flown by and we find ourselves in the midst of
another fruit harvest with ripe blueberries and
apricots being picked from the orchards, as we
speak.
Summer has been rather slow in arriving
this year with November showing some icy cold
temperatures and rainy days which resulted in
one or two roaring fires in our fireplace to
close off the winter season.
Now that summer has
finally shown itself, we look forward to long
sun-filled days and beautiful starry nights out
in the country. There is plenty to do in
Robertson this summer holiday so head out and
explore our ‘world in one valley’!
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Another Round of Stars
for Rusticus Wine Cellar
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Rusticus Vintage Cellar has just this month been
awarded 4 stars in the new John Platter (2010
edition) for the current Viognier vintage
(2008). This is the third successive four-star
accolade by Platter for each Viognier released
from this artisanal winery, since its maiden
vintage in 2006! ‘Tilled Earth’ (2008) - a blend
of Cabernet, Merlot & Shiraz has also won 4
stars for the second year in a row and rather
excitingly, there is now a new red wine to add
to the repertoire! Rusticus is proud to present
‘Odyssey’, an elegant Cabernet/Merlot blend,
offering delicious dark chocolate and cassis,
with dark berry fruits. Be sure to stop by and
try this delicious new wine or contact us to
place an order.
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To dine with ... and to die for ...
Be sure to serve the perfect wine to
compliment your festive feasts as you
gather with close friends and family
over the holiday season!
Viognier (2008) - R70 per bottle. Ideal
with Thai-inspired ingredients, we
especially enjoy it with fresh prawns
cooked with chilli, ginger & garlic. An
ideal starter to your festive feast!
‘Tilled Earth’ (2008) – R70 per bottle.
Perfect with that scrumptious Christmas
lamb roast you have planned. This wine
comes alive with any good meal!
NEW release! ‘Odyssey’ (2008) –
R80 per bottle. Offers the most enticing
aromas of chocolate and dark berry
fruits. Perfect match for beef fillet or
succulent lamb chops from the braai.
SPECIAL OFFER: FREE delivery for
orders of 6 bottles or more to Cape Town
& Surrounds for orders placed before 15
December 2009*
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New Photography Blog by Winemaker Stephan Busch
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Stephan Busch has started a new blogsite,
showing some of his extensive photographic
collection. Having started photography from a
young age, he has developed a keen eye for
landscapes, abstracts and finding patterns in
the seemingly ordinary. Visit
http://www.frozenmotionbystephan.blogspot.com
to see some of his work. Photos are also
available for order. Stephan has a permanent
exhibition space at Rusticus Cellar where he is
currently showing black and whites on canvas.
Rusticus is open for tasting & sales throughout
the summer season, Monday – Saturday 10h00 –
16h00 (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New
Years Day).
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Farewell but
not goodbye
In September this year Karin Busch retired from
managing the guest cottages after more than
twenty years of dedication on the nature
reserve. She is currently re-discovering a few
forgotten hobbies and has taken a special pride
in her vegetable and herb garden and is growing
the most beautiful organic spinach, peppers &
tomatoes.
For those regular visitors to the
nature reserve who are used to seeing her
friendly face, rest assured she will still be
around and lending a hand from time to time,
especially at the annual Wacky Wine Weekend,
where her glüwein and homemade soup have become
so popular! Stephan and Lindi Busch have taken
over the management of the guest cottages and
after their success with Nightjar & Hadeda, the
two exclusive cottages boasting spa baths and
outdoor hammocks, they look forward to making
their mark on the other cottages on the nature
reserve. Renovations have already started on
Quince Cottage with the fitting of new double
French doors and the laying of local, handmade
tiles in the lounge.
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Holiday Accommodation
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The telephone has been buzzing for a good few
weeks now as holiday planners try and find
accommodation for, what Capetonians have named,
the silly season.
Although the Pat Busch Reserve
is now fully booked for Christmas weekend and
New Year, there are one or two openings in the
last week of December and the first week of
January for those who need some R&R before
heading back to the hustle & bustle of the new
work year.
Please contact Lindi should you wish
to enquire about what we have available.
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Exploring The Vine
A fantastic new wine series has hit our screens
in South Africa on MNET HD, aptly named
‘Exploring the Vine’. Produced by Cooked in
Africa Films, the same dynamic team that brought
us Justin Bonello’s cooking and travel
escapades, the show is a fantastic exploration
of vineyards & wines in South Africa by three
young budding winemakers.
Howard, James and
Stuart have done everything from abseiling off
Paarl rock with some of South Africa's hottest
winemakers to finding South Africa's oldest vine
in the desolate spaces of the Karoo. At the last
Wacky Wine Weekend (2009), the trio visited
Rusticus and filmed Stephan who showed them
around the vintage cellar. Stuart had nominated
Rusticus as one of the top cellars in the
Robertson area saying he ‘had to see how they
make wine with antique machinery.’ They enjoyed
a personal tasting of our artisan wines which
then developed into a game of boule! Be sure to
enjoy this top class production on Mnet HD on
Fridays & Saturdays, with a re-broadcast
scheduled for early in 2010.
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Top 5 Benefits of Drinking Wine ... (in moderation!)
A glass a day keeps the doctor away?
Interesting indeed!
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1. |
Good heart health. Wine is good for the
heart because it helps to thin our blood
which allows the heart to work a little
less. |
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2. |
Lowers risk for diabetes. Studies have
shown that drinking wine helps to reduce
the risk for developing diabetes. The
makeup of the wine and its alcohol base
help to extend the function of the
pancreas and sweep glucose from the
body. |
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3. |
Lowers risk for stroke. Just as wine
helps with heart disease it helps
prevent stroke. The thinning of the
blood helps to prevent clots that lead
to stroke. |
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Studies have shown that wine helps to
prevent cataracts. |
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5. |
Wine has been shown to help lengthen
your life. With all of the health
benefits it is no wonder that drinking
wine will help you to live longer. Wine
has been shown to help slow down the
aging of the brain and therefore allow
better brain function longer. |
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The Upcoming Grape Harvest
“The grape harvest is one of the most
important moments
in the creation of a great wine”
As always we would like to extend a warm
welcome to those of you who would like
to participate in the upcoming grape
harvest and spend a day in the cellar
with the winemaker. We cannot predict an
exact date & time, as Mother Nature has
her role to play, but if you would like
to partake in late February/early March
please send your details to
lindi@rusticus.co.za
and we will give you 48 hours notice of
the grapes being picked!
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Summer in The Valley of Wine and Roses
There is so much on offer in Robertson and its
surrounds, there is no reason not to pack the
car and head out with the family this summer.
Here are our top things to do, in no particular
order ...
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Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a hike in
the fynbos kloofs when staying overnight
on the Pat Busch Reserve, dip your feet
in the mountain streams and enjoy the
tranquility of this pristine private
reserve. |
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Cool down with a lunch-time picnic & boat trip on the Breede River at
Viljoensdrift. |
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Enjoy the Saturday morning Montagu
market offering all sorts of home-made
and hand-made items, fresh produce as
well as various odds & ends! |
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Enjoy a guided game drive through the
Klaasvoogds Game Reserve at sunset and
learn about the indigenous wildlife. |
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Get Lost ... in a maze that is!
Soekershof Maze and Botanical Gardens
offer a truly unique experience, with
over 2500 different species of succulent
plants, including South Africa’s oldest
cactus! |
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Enjoy a massage; pamper yourself at
Rosendal Spa with one of their vine
inspired therapies. |
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Hire mountain bikes and explore the
Klaasvoogds Meander. |
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Upcoming Events
Join Stephan Busch for an intimate evening at
Karoux restaurant in the village of Mcgregor on
Wednesday 20th January 2010. Andre & Kurt
Middleton-Le Roux will specially prepare a four
course meal to compliment the Rusticus range of
four star Platter wines and the repertoire
debuts ODYSSEY, our new Cabernet/Merlot release!
The evening promises to be an informal, fun,
light-hearted affair where you get to mingle
with the winemaker and other wine lovers! See
www.karoux.co.za or call 023 625 1421 to reserve
your seat. Space is limited!
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Seasons Greetings
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As the year draws to a close and soccer fever
begins to mount for the upcoming 2010 World Cup
we would like to wish you and yours a safe &
restful holiday season and an abundant &
fulfilling new year!
Kind regards from the mountains & vineyards
Stephan & Lindi Busch
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