To mark the 10th anniversary of its Wild Mushroom Forages, Delheim now brings the forest to you – letting you step into the beautiful mountainside and vineyards without setting a foot outside.
A decade of growing popularity
The hunt for the fabulous fungi is traditionally a fully-booked annual event. This year, it has been re-fashioned with the release of a unique culinary experience: the Wild Mushroom Experience-in-a-box. Filled with tastes and textures that capture the spirit of the occasion, the boxes will be available from the winery’s online shop.
Delheim was the originator of the now-popular concept of wild mushroom foraging events in the country – more than a decade ago – and has since managed to raise awareness for Mother Nature’s elusive delicacies in South Africa.
“In those years, people were even less familiar with mushroom foraging than today,” recalls Delheim’s Nora Thiel. She showed a few people how it’s done and the idea for organised forages was born. “Although it took three years before we could get enough people together, interest grew,” she adds.
What’s in the box?
- Each box contains the book, Field Guide to Mushrooms & Other Fungi of South Africa by Gary Goldman and Marieka Gryzenhout. Gary co-hosted forages with Nora Thiel at Delheim for years;
- A bottle of Delheim Chenin Blanc Wild Ferment 2019 (now under cork); Sauvignon Blanc 2019 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2016;
- Dried porcini mushrooms, Parmesan cheese and risotto rice plus added extras to make your meal exceptional; and,
- A recipe card to help you perfect your mushroom risotto. This exclusive offer costs R1 200 per box and includes free delivery in South Africa. You can also order a box without the book for just R720 (excluding delivery fee).
Nature is calling
The wine trio showcased is eminently suitable for this eco-experience. The Delheim Chenin Blanc Wild Ferment was winemaker Roelof Lotriet’s first vintage as winemaker at Delheim. He had worked with some of South Africa’s oldest Chenin blanc vineyards and quickly recognised the potential at Delheim. It was important to allow the wine to tell its story by letting the juice ferment slowly and spontaneously in the barrel.
“Older blocks are like listening to your father’s stories around the campfire,” he says. “They really have more to say and have so many layers.” The Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon is back in the portfolio, thanks to the culmination of a replanting programme and an exceptional harvest in 2016.
As for the Sauvignon Blanc, its quality and expression make it perfect for savouring in glass and as an ingredient for the risotto.
Order online
The online shop can be viewed here. Be sure to replenish your special wines and browse the Collector’s Corner for rare vintages.
The details: Wild Mushroom Experience-in-a-box: R720 (excluding delivery fee) – R1200 (all-inclusive) June & July.
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