Cederberg's big bold makeover - Year 202

 Back in year 2020, when the lockdowns were shutting down the tourism, wine and many other businesses, the people at Cederberg Wines and Sanddrif Holiday Accommodation decided not to sit back and complain. They began the next phase of a strategic vision that would make the Cederberg tourist offering world class.

Read my article in TO BUILD magazine here, to see how former holiday cottages built in the late 1980's to accommodate the influx of people to view Haley's Comet, would be sensitively converted into accommodation of a very high standard.

Read about it here:   Country Chic

HISTORY AND THE HERITAGE - THE PLACE TO BE

 STADSAAL ROCKS - CEDERBERG WILDERNESS

Stadsaal close to sunset - height of summer.

If only these rocks could talk, what a rich history they could unfold.

CULTURAL HERITAGE PHOTOS - SANDDRIF

A long time ago, Brian Walsh was the district forest officer for the Cederberg Region during the days when National Department Bosbou owned and controlled the forestry in Algeria, the mountain routes and campsites, prior to the takeover by Cape Nature.

Brian was an avid promoter of tourism and helped set up a number of forest campsites, including Algeria. His son Neville, a close friend of mine, introduced me to the Cederberg in 1982 when I first visited Dwarsrivier/Sanddrif on a trip he organised. Brian also set up Tokai Forest picnic area and well known Tweede Tol campsite above Wellington/Bains' Kloof.

He recently shared a few of Brian's photos with me, which included the following two historical images from the 1960s.

I believe they show the Kleinhuis (On Huisie today) and Groothuis on Sanddrif.

Here are the scan's of Brian Walsh's original black and white photos:

They are amazing records of the cultural history and architecture of the area.

I believe this may be the 'Klein Huis' farm Sanddrif. (Today's One Huisie)

Possibly the back of the 'Groothuis' farm Sanddrif.

Photos are copyright the Heirs late Brian Walsh - curated by Gareth Griffiths.

Cederberg Private Cellar - News on the famous wines

Always something new at Cederberg Wines.

During my recent trip I had the privilege of tasting some of David Nieuwoudt's latest vintages, ably assisted by Alex and Tammy Nel. What a blast.

Here are my great friends, Julian and Simone Ardagh, enjoying a late afternoon tasting with Alex. Alex is responsible for the white wines from Cederberg, Ghost Corner in Elim and also assists with Longavi Wines, which come from vineyards near Santiago in Chili.

Lappies (below) is Cisca Nieuwoudt's (really) big farm dog, known for his keen nose in selecting which Cabernet Sauvignon should go into the famous Five Generations Cabernet. Here he looks keenly in the direction of the vineyard, from where opportunity calls.

Here's a review of my current favourite: Ghost Corner Pinot Noir 2015. (click on name).

I'll cover the latest developments at the winery and also the brewery in the next post.

New Life in the Cederberg 2017

Thankfully, some areas are showing their colours - the photo below was taken under Uitrus cottage and shows the famous March Lily (Amaryllis belladonna) that appears after the fire. There were just 3 of these!