Bilton Wines - Women's Day - August 2009 By Greg Van Der Reis Womens Day 2009 dawned, with rays of sunshine creeping across the countryside. The alarm buzzed, OK better get up or we'll be late for the outing. Hmm I wonder what all the other girls are doing to celebrate womens day? We jump into the Landy, Gloria driving and we head for Stellenbosch. The radio crackles, it is Russell and Johann who are also on their way. After thirty minutes we arrive at the farmstall, 8 4x4's are already there and while waiting for the others, Clive and I explore the farmstall. Clive passes some risque comment about the butternuts as we leave and our minds are elsewhere as we stroll back to the parking area. It's almost time as the last vehicle arrives. Russell briefs the people and scares the lady drivers with a comment about a grade 4 trail and soon we move off to the farm.  At the Biliton Farm we get met by Nicole Kilian who welcomes us and after being introduced to Hendry, the farm's intrepid guide, we get onto the trail. The trail is made up of the farm roads which are used to access the vineyards and olive plantations but even though they are used daily, they offer some fun to the ladies who are mostly driving their hubby's/boyfriends/stukkies 4x4's. After reaching the highest point we hear Hein talking from the dunes. We chatter a bit and then start the descent to the muffin spot. There is a pretty dam where we get served steamy hot coffee and a choice of muffins. While warming their hands on the coffee cups and licking the glazing on the muffins the crowd admire the view. Johann is planning a wedding at the venue with it's floating jetty. More coffee and another muffin and we start the descent to the farm house. One of the Biliton staff meets us at the farm house and soon the wine/chocolate tasting begins. We start with white and then work our way onto reds that make the back of your eyes water. Chocolate is more my scene but chili chocolate puts paid to my chocolate enthusiasm and I nibble bits of chocolate to see what taste is next, hmm sardine and creamsoda chocolate! In all seriousness the pear and licourice flavoured chocolate did compliment the wine, or is it the wine compliment the chocolate? Moira is the lady presenting the tasting, and she was excellent. She explained the history of the farm, the blends of the wine, the influence that the vat has on the taste and everything else we needed to know. After the tasting we were met with some some cullinary delights. Breads, cheese, cold meats and olives and we sat in the sun tasting the other fare from the farm. The sun had passed it's zenith and with tastesbuds delighted we made our way home. Thanks for a great day Russell.