Hanging Ten with Henk van Niekerk … producer of the award-winning Paul René Cap Classique

by Kyla Van Heerden

Visitors to any wine event would be forgiven for mistaking winemaker Henk van Niekerk for a relaxed surfer dude, only there for the free tastings. Indeed, with his tan, curly, sun bleached, hair, floral shirts, pink shorts and laid back demeanour, van Niekerk looks like he’d be more at home on the beach than in the wine cellar producing his award-winning bubbly. Together with his equally attractive wife Monica, the van Niekerks are the couple behind the hugely successful Paul René Cap Classique range.

As the brand’s website tells it, from a young age van Niekerk stole groceries from his mother’s kitchen for his field expeditions with his fellow boy scouts. His passion and enthusiasm for mixing various flavours in his style of cooking was already clear at that age and many years later it was the Paul René Cap Classique experiment that surpassed all his expectations and is now his life’s passion and living dream.

After several years of research and planning to produce what goes into the bottle, it was left to Monica to take care of the outside. As a little farm girl Monica spent days in her Grandmother’s art studio and the creative mind to create the unique look was no doubt founded there.

In advance of the Bubbly & Gin Summer Garden Party & Polo taking place on 23 November at the Val de Vie Estate in Paarl, at which the van Niekerks will be sampling and selling their three Cap Classiques, we chatted to Henk over what else but a glass of chilled Paul René bubbly.

It seems like just the other day that you were the new boy on the block, but you’ve been around a while now, so when did it all start?

Our idea was born in 2008 and 2009 was our first vintage. Our Brut was released late 2011 and has then been our number one seller and has always been 100% chardonnay.

You recently picked up awards for your Chardonnay Brut 2020 and Nectar 2020. Tell us more.

Since 2016, our bubblies have won over 35 platinum, gold, and silver awards. In terms of our recent wins, Nectar is something new for us but definitely an exciting category. We made sure we applied all the building blocks for our Nectar that we do for our other variants and no stone was left unturned to make sure it is of the highest quality.

Will those award-winning bubblies be available for tasting at the Garden Party?

We will have all three variants available at the event. The Brut Chardonnay, which is a Blanc de Blanc, our Brut Rosé which is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay and the Paul René Nectar which is also a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and has a sweet caramel finish.

How do you and Monica juggle the work/life/family balance?

Every day is different, but living on a farm so close to town (and school) helps.

What do you do to relax?

I enjoy eating and drinking, and Monica loves doing any creative form of art. I love watching her relax with a big canvas in front of her. I also enjoy swimming long distances in the farm dam with our dogs and we also regularly go camping with our three children.

What are you watching on TV?

I’m not really a TV person, although I always enjoy watching a Springbok game while having friends over for a braai or a potjie.

Favourite meal to cook for the family or friends?

I love a pan on the fire with chorizo, fresh garlic, ginger and cherry tomatoes. Add coconut milk and prawns and serve on tagliatelle.

Best meal pairings for each of your three Cap Classiques?

A plate of fresh oysters on ice with lemon and tabasco sauce alongside our Brut Chardonnay. Duck breast on the braai with the Brut Rosé and a spicy chicken curry with a glass or two of the Nectar.

You have your own successful annual event called A Splash of Pink. Tell us more.

Our Paul Rene’ Splash of Pink was launched in 2016, and this year will be our ninth anniversary. It is always the first Saturday of November, and it is a beautiful time of the year on the farm in Robertson. We always try to have good food and a lekker band (this year it’s Georgetown). Apart from the bubbly, we’ll have craft gin combinations as well as Saldanha Bay oysters and other fresh treats that can be enjoyed picnic-style or in a marquee. There’ll also be lawn games like boule or croquet and children’s activities to keep the young ones occupied. It’s a bit like a daytime wedding party.

What are you most proud of?

I am very proud of how Monica and I have come together to develop and grow our brand with all the different aspects around it. Our minds work in opposite directions and navigating that over the past 17 years is definitely a great achievement.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We’re looking forward to welcoming people to our Paul René stand at the Bubbly & Gin Summer Garden Party & Polo. Hopefully we will find lots of new converts once they’ve tasted our bubblies!

  • The Bubbly & Gin Summer Garden Party & Polo
  • Val de Vie Estate, Paarl
  • 23 November, 2024
  • 12:00 to 18:00
  • Book at Webtickets

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