Lunch with Lukas Wentzel of Groote Post
Once a leading dairy farm, the 4 200-hectare Groote Post on the Cape West Coast today boasts some 100 hectares of vineyards, which planted on the south-facing upper slopes of Kapokberg, yield award-winning wines.
Groote Post’s owner, Peter Pentz, is one of the prime forces behind establishing the Cape West Coast Biosphere, and when I turned off onto the rustic, gravel road leading to the farm, I found myself surrounded by the glorious spring flowers indigenous to this area. My mission of course, was to meet winemaker Lukas Wentzel for lunch, and what a lunch it turned out to be!
Once the country home of Lord Charles Somerset, Groote Post’s beautiful 18th century homestead now houses the popular Hilda’s Kitchen Restaurant. And it was here that my interview with the idealistic Lukas, in the company of the charismatic Peter, took place.
The first course, chef Debbie McLaughlin’s irresistible Blue Cheese & Caramelised Onion Tart, was accompanied by Lukas’ 2005 unwooded Chardonnay. When it comes to winemaking, Chardonnay is one of his favourites - “because of the complexity it can deliver”. Next on the menu was the Seafood Crepe with Verjuice Hollandaise, perfectly paired with the 2005 Groote Post Sauvignon Blanc. Lukas of course has become famous for his West Coast Sauvignon – in 2004 Groote Post’s Sauvignon Blanc was selected as SAA White Wine of the Year. Given the fact that Lukas only joined Groote Post in November 2000, this was no mean feat.
“Why did you decide to become a winemaker?” We were now well into our third course, flavoursome Spaghetti with Calamari and all the trimmings. “My grandmother used to throw huge parties where I was responsible for opening the wines. It was thirsty work so I also started taking a sip here and there and found that I really enjoyed wine.” And so Lukas became a winemaker and the lifestyle really suits him: “It’s good to work with what nature provides; it makes me feel a part of it”.
That this talented winemaker also has a deft hand at making red wine became evident when the main course, Fragrant North Indian Chicken Curry, was accompanied by an equally fragrant Groote Post Shiraz 2003.
Over dessert, Debbie’s scrumptious Baked Cheese Cake, I couldn’t resist asking a question that had intrigued me for some time: “The Old Man’s Blend, who is the old man and what is the origin of the name?” Lukas and Peter looked at each other, smiled and then the latter explained: “Soon after Lukas joined Groote Post, he one day put a red blend in front of me, asking for my opinion. It was so good that I immediately requested that 50 cases should be reserved for me.” The rest is history, Lukas branded the wine “The Old Man’s Blend” and has since also released a rich, fruity white blend under this name.
LUKAS IN A NUTSHELL
Favourite wine? Sauvignon Blanc.
Favourite colours? Blue, because I love the sea, and green because I love trees.
Hobbies? Golf, kayaking and fishing. I’m an outdoors’ person.
The highlight of your career? When the 2004 Groote Post Sauvignon Blanc was selected as SAA White Wine of the Year.
Any screw-ups? A couple, but the most infamous one was as assistant winemaker at La Motte. With 6 tons of Merlot grapes in the rototank, I pushed the wrong button and the whole lot was dumped on the floor! A very expensive mistake.