Cape Town - The moment you catch your first glimpse of Jan Harmsgat’s gabled, white-washed thatched homestead and guest rooms nestling picture-perfect in the lap of the majestic Langeberg mountains alongside the R60 between Ashton and Swellendam, your gut-feel is to give the place a bright and bold tick. And so it was!
The historic farm on the southernmost tip of the Robertson wine route not only boasts heavenly vistas, but oozes hospitality and warmth which instantly make you feel at home.
Paradoxically, tranquillity also reigns supreme, making the farm the perfect place for all who need to nourish the soul and revive the spirit, be it next to the pristine pool or at a picnic table on the stoep, overlooking pecan trees and mountains.
Adventure-seekers, on the other hand, can make use of the mountain bikes available for guests and enjoy an adrenalin-filled outing along the 30km cycling route that crisscrosses the farm.
You don’t need to be Einstein to realise why Johannes Harman Jansz Potgieter, one of the farm’s first owners, decided way back in the 1700s to name his farm Jan Harmsz Schat (treasure), which, over time corrupted to Jan Harmsgat.
The place is indeed a treasure trove of nature’s bounties which are either meticulously conserved or prudently put to use. The farm’s water, for example, is supplied by a mountain spring that feeds the Kabous River, which flows through the property.
This is used for both agricultural and household purposes. However, because water is a scarce commodity during prolonged periods of drought, various pro-active measures are in place to reduce water consumption. Also, a large dam is being built as an additional water source.
Committed to treading lightly on earth, Jan Harmsgat also actively works to reduce waste to landfill sites. In addition, composting bins and wormeries have been created for organic fresh waste. These, and many other green warrior strategies, have earned the farm Fair Trade Tourism accreditation.
Bordering both the Karoo with its weathered red clay soil and the Cape’s coastal regions, which ensure a Mediterranean-like climate, Jan Harmsgat’s unique location in terms of wine production richly benefits from the dry Karoo conditions and the cool sea breezes from the coast.
Like the vineyards, many varieties of other fruit, ranging from oranges to pomegranates and pecan nuts, are well suited to the region, yielding rich pickings over the years.
Across the R60, opposite the homestead and the five-star guest facilities on the Langeberg side, comprising exclusive en-suite double, twin and family rooms plus a Roman honeymoon suite, a variety of grape cultivars are grown.
The grapes are hand-picked for the exclusive, single-block JHG Wines, meticulously prepared by the esteemed winemaker Lourens van der Westhuizen of nearby Arendsig.
Last year, the single-block Chardonnay was voted a winner among several top contenders, farm manager Kowie Smit proudly informs. This achievement lured a well-known winemaker from the Robertson Valley to stop by and acquire vines from that block.
No wonder the farm’s extensive wine range was launched recently amid much acclaim.
Before setting off to Arendsig for a wine-tasting and picnic lunch, we stopped at the hill, where sundowners are enjoyed, to relish a full 360o view of the area tucked between the fast-flowing Breede River and Langeberg mountains.
Convinced the picnic at Arendsig, coupled with winemaster Lourens’s enlightening talk on the fruit of the vines, was as good as it gets, our Slow dinner on the Friday evening in Jan Harmgat’s elegant dining room/restaurant provided a big cherry on the top.
The annual Robertson Slow-Food Festival (in August) is one of the highlights on this wine valley’s marketing and social calendar.
It culminates on the Sunday at the regional food market where local foodies and cooks show off their finest fare.
With none other than “nutsman” Riaan Venter who, for years, endlessly entertained us on TV with his DIY craftsmanship, and his wife, former TV presenter Michelle (Garforth), ably hosting the Slow dinners at Jan Harmsgat, the five-star menu and accompanying wines proved to be a feast for the senses.
l De Bruin was a guest of Jan Harmsgat.
www.janharmsgat.com
Wilma de Bruin, Saturday Star