- By Emile Joubert
Kanonkop Wine Estate recently held its annual wine event for clients, media and the wine trade on the property of this famous South African wine farm on Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg. As per usual, two cannons were fired to announce the commencing of proceedings and honouring the estate’s name, which can be traced back to the 18th century when a cannon situated on a hillock above would be shot when a new ship arrived at Table Bay.
This was followed by the official launch of the first book on the history of Kanonkop. Kanonkop: The Story of a Legend was written by Emile Joubert and published by Tip Africa Publishing and is an informative combination of vivid photography and gripping narrative depicting the rise of Kanonkop from a barren patch of mountain land to arguably South Africa’s leading wine farm. And of course, the role patriarch Paul Sauer played in this, followed by his grand-sons and current proprietors Johann and Paul Krige.
Joining the guests were the iconic winemakers of Kanonkop’s past, namely Jan Boland Coetzee, who made the first Kanonkop estate wine in 1973, and Beyers Truter who preceded the current winemaker Abrie Beeslaar.
Guests were then treated to a tasting of various vintages of Kanonkop Paul Sauer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Kadette, before converging upon the Paul Sauer room for the traditional snoek braai, catered by Marie and Ilse Krige, wives of Johann and Paul respectively.
An evening that showed hospitality is as much a feature of Kanonkop as great wine and special vineyard soils.