UNIQUE LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION ‘FRAMES’ 350 YEARS OF SA WINE5-piece land art by Strijdom van der Merwe unveiled at
Simonsig Estate World renowned landscape artist, Strijdom van der Merwe, has framed the South African wine industry! A unique art installation of five gigantic metal frameworks, each representing an intrinsic element of winemaking, has been erected at Simonsig Estate to commemorate the industry’s 350th anniversary. Commissioned by
the pioneers of numerous ‘wine firsts’ in the country, Strijdom was given carte
blanch by Simonsig to come up with a creative exposé of The creative concept was a collaborate effort by Strijdom and Neil Stemmet of Koncept Design & Architecture, which resulted in five bold, four metre high frames, with each sporting Strijdom’s signature red colour and depicting a certain circumstance or component of quality winemaking. The story board highlights the following elements: 350 years of South African wine, terroir (to highlight Mother Nature’s blessings); hands (celebrating the human aspect of winemaking) and flavour (representing the unique tastes and aromas of wine). The fifth and final frame pays tribute to Simonsig’s multi-awarded Méthode Cap Classique lineage and celebrates the estate’s indelible legacy in the wine and tourism industry. “This inspiring installation is a vivid portrayal of human and nature intervention when it comes to producing a truly great wine. It is a cheerful celebration of our country’s winemaking tradition. In a sense it is land art about the art of winemaking,” shares Strijdom. “Our country’s winemaking history lies dear to our hearts as my belated father, Frans Malan, was not only at the forefront of quality winemaking but introduced numerous innovations during his career, of which the country’s first Méthode Cap Classique, launched in 1971, is probably one of his most significant legacies.” “He was also the co-founder of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes, South Africa’s first and foremost wine route, founded in the same year his first bottle-fermented sparkling wine saw the light,” adds Francois Malan, one of the three brothers who own Simonsig today. Today the Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes – home to more than 150 world-class wineries – remains the country’s most favourite wine tourism destination amongst local and foreign visitors with some 45% of all international tourists to the Western Cape having already experienced the Stellenbosch Winelands. Strijdom van der Merwe’s captivating land art will be on display for the next 350 days. Simonsig Estate is open for visits and wine tastings from Mondays to Fridays from 08h30 - 17h00, on Saturdays from 08h30 - 16h00 and on Sundays from 11h00 - 15h00. The estate’s signature restaurant, Cuvée, is open on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11h00 - 15h00, Fridays and Saturday from 11h00 - 15h00 and 19h00 - 22h00 and on Sundays for lunch. Simonsig is situated
outside Stellenbosch on the For
more information contact Simonsig Estate on Tel: (021) 888 4915.
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