Considered a lucky number in Chinese and other cultures, Eight Restaurant represents Spier’s closed-loop approach to business. The number 8 signifies balance, cycles, harmony, infinity and abundance; all which captures the essence of the experience.
Creative Block: The Artists
Wonder Marthinus (born: 1967) can be likened to a phoenix rising from the ashes. Initially a dancer, his life descended into chaos after a tragic accident left him severely injured. Unable to dance, and battling alcoholism, he eventually found himself living like a hermit on the slopes of Table Mountain. In 1995, a chance meeting with an artist at a soup kitchen led him to Greatmore Studios where his art career began in earnest.
Photo credit: Malcolm Dare
Creative Block: The Inspiration
The large white label with the numbers 2, 3 and 5 in large print is always a conversation starter at wine tastings. Often tasters choose a wine claiming the number is their favourite - a selection similar to picking lotto numbers - without knowing what the numbers refer to.
Heritage: The Protea Garden
In the heart of our own Eden lies the Protea Garden which can be viewed on the Spier Heritage Walk while reading interesting facts about our natural and social heritage and related projects. This circular route is marked with signage throughout the estate and weaves through the avenue of indigenous coral trees leading to the Protea Garden, while offering more adventurous guest the chance to veer off course and explore our waste water treatment plant.
Heritage: Our Historic Wine Cellar
Spier was established in 1692, and as such has a colourful history.
Our wine cellar is the oldest dated cellar in South Africa. Dated 1767, it was built by Albertus Myburgh, who owned the property between 1765 and 1781 and whose descendants still own the neighbouring Meerlust estate.
A view on vintage 2011: Johann Smit
The age old chirp in the wine industry is that wine is made in the vineyards, and no one would agree more than our viticulturist, Johann Smit. Seeking out top quality grape growers for the past 12 years, he braves sunshine and rain year round, exploring vineyards from Elgin to Darling, Stellenbosch to Koekenaap, in order to manage these vineyard to produce our award winning wines.
Johan spoke to wine.co.za about the 2011 harvest season in a cabernet sauvignon block on Spier on a scorching hot day.
Celebrating the 2011 harvest
Stomping grapes barefoot: it’s slippery, scratchy and a wine barrel is not as big you’d think when you’re rubbing shoulders with the winemakers!
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