Segway Tour at Spier Wine Estate.

So, way back when we’d only been here two months, we went somewhere really cool. And I’m only now posting about it. Go me!

We bought a Groupon for a Segway Tour and wine tasting at Spier Wine Estate. 

Spier has Protea gardens. I think this is a King Protea.

The drive there was fine, but we got lost because the website did not have good instructions.  I called the Segway guide and “bitchily” told them we would be late, ending with “and we’re not happy!” 

Lol. I can’t believe I said that. 

Part of the processing plant- see the wine barrels?

There was a fire in the distance. Near Spier's other vineyards.

When we finally got there, the tour guide was so laid back and friendly, it eased our tension. The three other ladies were friendly and really funny. My hubby kept laughing because he couldn’t believe we had run into “rednecks” that weren’t American!

The "rednecks."

We first learned how to ride and control the Segway and passed through an obstacle course. Then we went on the tour! We were on off-road Segways and went around the back towards the vineyards. We saw the vines, almost dried up and picked over, with just a few tiny bunches left on them. We tasted a few cabernet sauvignon grapes and realized just how sweet wine making grapes can be!

Us looking dorky. Safety first!

Then we learned about their attempts at sustainability and were pretty impressed. They have a water re-charge station, cows, and movable chicken coops that allow their poop to fertilize a patch of field, one day at a time. Their organic gardens provide most of the vegetables for the restaurants on the estate.

The chickens and roosters were so friendly!

At the end of our trip we were sad for it to end. Our feet were a little tingly from standing up for over an hour- that would literally be my only complaint! We’d do it again in a heartbeat.

The giant menus. They were dragged to each table.

The bread platter. Yummy butter!

We then ate lunch at Eight and had amazing lunches. They served us a bread course with homemade butter, coarse salt and pepper, balsamic vinegar, oil, and some kind of cold sauce that tasted like mushroom soup. The hubby had a steak and I had chicken pot pie. Of course we had wine!

Lunch!

Chicken Pot Pie. Sweet presentation.

Then we had our wine tasting. We ate it with a small cheese and cracker platter we bought. They were both excellent. While tasting, we saw that people were being “interviewed” and were getting free bottles of wine out of it. 

Wine and Cheese platter.

We luckily chosen to be the last two people chosen for the interview. They were wanting to know how to improve different aspects of Spier. We were truthful, but didn’t have much criticism. Then we got vouchers for two bottles of our choice from the estate store. We both chose to get the Pinotage, because it has undercurrents of cherries, among other flavors. 

Weird joint bathroom with multiple stalls...

Spier's cute cat in the wine shop. Making a decision about which wine he wants?

Great day. Lots of memories!

 
Song of the day: Happy Together by The Turtles.

Here they are performing:

Here is their "music video." I'm not sure what they were thinking....