The 51 Miles wine range pays tribute to the 1902 opening of the railway line from Sir Lowry's Pass to Caledon, which dramatically changed the face of the Overberg, farming community, providing the crucial and fast route for their produce to the Cape Town market and the growing export trade. The railway line, which passed through Elgin Station, 51 Miles from Cape Town, became particularly important for Elgin's burgeoning deciduous fruit industry. The rail journey took mere hours compared to the several days required previously to do the trip by ox wagon. Travelling on the train in the early days was also exciting and a great source of entertainment with the ascent of Sir Lowry's Pass, the 285m tunnel and the beautiful scenery along the way.
The Elgin Station signboard on the platform at the Winters Drift Tasting Station and Platform 1 Eatery still proudly displays the words '51 MILES TO CAPE TOWN'.
The expressive and crisp character of the 51 Miles Sauvignon Blanc 2014 will allow it to accompany a variety of salad, chicken and fish dishes. It sells for R80. The 51 Miles Unwooded Chardonnay 2014 will complement various salads, white meat and seafood dishes. The 51 Miles wines will only be available for tasting and purchase at the Tasting Station in Elgin and via online sales on the website.
At the Winters Drift Tasting Station and Platform 1 Eatery, visitors can taste the new 51 Miles and the Winters Drift wines and enjoy an alfresco railway-style lunch. Platform 1, open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday to Saturday (Sunday and Monday by special arrangement only), offers seasonally inspired locally sourced dishes. The menu changes regularly and always includes a monthly seasonal special.
The original railway line is still operational today, and you might be lucky enough to see one of the grain-laden trains that trundle past on a daily basis, faithfully retaining the atmosphere of the hustle and bustle of the Elgin Station in its heyday.
The popular Elgin Cool Wine and Country Festival takes place during the weekend of 2-3 May, when Winters Drift and 16 other Elgin wineries will be offering a weekend filled with fine wines, good food and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
At the Winters Drift Tasting Station, guitarist, Nick Kuiper, will be enhancing the festive atmosphere and entertaining the guests while they unwind on the lawn, sampling 51 Miles and Winters Drift wines and tucking into the delicious offerings from Box Car Travelling Food. The children will have access to a playground area, giving the parents a chance to enjoy a game of boules.
Day passes are R50 per adult (which include all wine tasting and entertainment) and can be purchased on arrival at any of the participating wine farms or at the Elgin Tourism office. Children enter free of charge. Breakfasts and teas will be available but all lunches need to be booked and paid in advance. With numbers limited, pre-booking is essential. To book, call +27 (0)21 859 3354 or email moc.tfirdsretniw@yme.
For more information, go to www.ecwcf.elginwine.co.za.
