Thirsty Butler Compiled by Judith Soskin our Generations of Excellence - Weltevrede could not boast a more idyllic setting: surrounded by the ubiquitous splendour of the Valley - with landscapes of roads fringed by a colourful array of vineyards, mountains, flowers and trees: all of which are sustained by the lifegiving source of the Breede River. It is therefore hardly surprising that, when Klaas Jonker arrived in this lush Utopia in 1912, he was transfixed by the surrounding beauty. He bought the farm, planted the first vineyards and, in so doing, put down the roots that were to anchor the Jonker family legacy. And so began the love affair. Overwhelmed by a sense of contentment and inner joy; Klaas was wholly fulfilled. So satisfied was this pioneering patriarch, that he named the farm 'Weltevrede', meaning 'well-satisfied'. Since then, this pursuit of well-being and satisfaction, or'weltevrede', has translated into an aesthetic of producing wines of excellence, a heritage which has been passed on from generation to generation. Klaas was succeeded in 1993 by his son, Japie. Today, the farming tradition is perpetuated by current owners, Lourens Jonker and his son, Philip, who is in the driving seat. "I grew up among the vines of Weltevrede. I played in the soil as a boy and so did my father and grandfather before me,"says Philip. He reveres the natural milieu and history, attributing much of the winery's success to and familial connectedness to the e terroir' with which Philip considers the cer family'blessed'. ip Jonker is a chardonnay specialist and, .nitantly, Weltevrede is synonymous with the production of fine wines of this particular vatietal: boasting awards from Chardonnay du Monde, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, International Wine Challenge, International Wine and Spirit Challenge as well as several national shows (including Veritas Double Colds), to mention but a few of the illustrious competitions which have brought the winery acclaim. Fortunately, cellarmaster Philip, and winemaker Neil Strydom (an Elsenburg graduate), share a mutual passion for chardonnay and bubbly production. When Neil joined the team, over a year ago, he knew that, with four chardonnays - Place of Rocks, Rusted Soil, Poet's Prayer and River's Edge Unwooded Chardonnay - his future was carefully mapped out! Chardonnay is a salient feature across four of the five collections (ranges) in the Weltevrede stable - namely, Terroir, River's Edge, the Philip Jonker Brut Collection and, perhaps the most notable, Poet's Prayer, which spends 22 months in French Oak. This year, as 2009 draws to a close, Philip has Just outside Bdhnievale, in the picturesque Robertson Wine Valley, lies the historical Weltevrede, the Jonker family wine J estate whose rich heritage extends an impressive four generations. complemented this collection with afourthbubbly,a Brut F, called Lindelize. The salmon coloured Cap Classique exudes refinement and poise, and the delicate, mousse displays great A finesse with hints of A cherryand strawberry on the nose. Lindelize fl intimatesnuancesof, freshly-picked rose j petals and subtle I peach flavours on I the palate, with a delightful finish of M strawberries and fl While sipping on bubblies -and honouring values and idealstheseCap Classiques seek to immortalise - celebrating love and life, one can sample a few delectable morsels at Friends @ Weltevrede, the restaurant on the farm, owned and managed by culinary aficionados and food-lovers, Hanlie Mouton and Barbara Viviers. Here one can revel in an ambience which bespeaks unpretentious, yet refined, country hospitality. Stay at one of the two self-catering cottages - Belvedere and^jgs Huisie -and make a weekend of it! For nature lovers, picturesque hikjn| trails, tractor rides, 4 x 4 trails and bird watching are all on offer ori the farm, or, for the more adventurous, hire a canoe and brave the Breede! If you deeffi quiet recollection and reading in tranquil surrounds alluring, the new Writer's Studio at Weltevrede will get your creative juices flowing! This impressive 4 ooo book-lined study spills out onto scenes of rural loveliness. Another attraction, and source of inspiration for romantics, artists and utflliti enthusiasts, is the underground cellar, where, on request, wine-tastings are conducted by candlelight. Whatever one's taste, Weltevrede has a myriad of offerings: and is a perfect country retreat to escape the mundane drudgery of life and transcend the pressures of the bustling urban jurtgle