When posting photos to the Social Media Wall, Professionnel du Vin Lynette Whittaker, a member of the Bailliage of Outeniqua, wrote, “Today is World Chaîne Day, usually celebrated in grand style across the globe. Instead, all members celebrated at home and cooked a meal enjoyed en famille. Obviously we were really disappointed that our local Bailliage’s World Chaîne Day event was cancelled but we had so much fun with our kids creating an event at home - even my 7-year-old donned a bow tie for the event!”

Lynette continued, “Our menu began with French onion soup using Mozzarella and Parmesan as we couldn’t find Gruyère locally! The main course was springbok Wellington with a creamy mushroom sauce and carrots. We ended with homemade berry sorbet and meringues.”

She later told me about the wines, “The wine we had with the starter was a very special bottle we bought in the US in January when we were still allowed to travel. It was a 2018 white blend from the Rheinhessen in Germany specially bottled for Schlossadler: 54% Pinot Blanc and 46% Chardonnay, aged for 9 months in oak barrels. I can honestly say it was one of the most exquisite white blends I’ve ever had. We only bought 6 bottles that we save for special occasions. There are sadly only 3 left!

The red wine with the main course came from Stellenbosch: Hartenberg 2016, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon 38% Shiraz, aged 12 months in French oak. With dessert was a local 2015 Grand Constance Muscat from the Constantia region.”

Lynette concluded by saying “miss you all and can’t wait to see everyone again!” which of course is a sentiment we all share.

Marie Jones
Managing Editor

Biography

Lynette Whittaker’s day job is in advertising. Together with her partner, Jan van Deventer - who is also a Professionnel du Vin - she works with the branding and marketing for the Eden Wine Route.

Born from a mutual love of wine, travel and the beautiful Eden area, a group of dynamic entrepreneurs and fellow oenophiles got together with the aim of creating an “Eden Wine Route”.

Although not yet as popular as the more famous wine route cousins to the west, the Garden Route District has grown exponentially in its wine and liquor production over the past decade. Home to a myriad of wine farms, from boutique family-owned estates, to bigger more well-known wineries, the Garden Route District is also home to gin distilleries, olive estates, ostrich farms and countless other culinary destinations.

Lynette acknowledged that there had been a lack of focus when it came to wine as a tourist attraction in Eden area but that was no longer the case. She enthused, “When travel is once again possible come and explore what we have to offer in one of the most diverse wine regions in the world!”