I’m shooting a wedding at the end of the month at Lourensford Wine Estate so the bf and I went to check out photo locations so I can be better prepared on the day. When we got there, much to my delight, we were informed there was some polo practice happening so we stopped by to watch for a bit after taking a slow drive up the long road looking for shooting spots.

The polo practice was very interesting. The horses and riders would line up in groups of four, and there would be four planks stuck in to the ground a few metres away. The horses would then gallop, the rider would lean down and spike the plank with their spear-like stick, swinging their arm backwards as the horse galloped past. The speed they went at was admirable…especially as they leaned down right over the horses shoulder!

There were another two riders on the far side of the field practicing something more complicated. The rider would move off, jump a small jump while popping a balloon, and then gallop with his spear in the air parallel to the floor. The spear wouldnt move and his aim was dead-on as he speared a few loops, and then he went on to lean down and spear a plank like others (keeping the loops on the spear!). Then he’d turn around and make his way back (all at quite a speed!), stabbing his spear into a hanging cushion. There was more that he did, but rethinking it I’m lost as to where it all fitted in haha. I couldnt get photos as he was too far away and I didnt want to trample across the field and potentially get run over by galloping polo players haha. It would be rude of me!

After watching for a bit longer, we walked around the large estate and eventually made our way back to the car where we then drove up to the winery itself. Since the wedding is Muslim, I wont be taking photos that include any wine related subjects/backgounds, so I got my photo fix right then and there! I, of course, asked permission to photograph their wines and displays, and they happily obliged my whims.

After I got a few photos, we sat down for some chocolate tasting (R35ppm, they also have cheese tasting at R55 for a 2 person platter), and I was given a taster glass of wine that they recommended (it was really lovely on its own, but not too great with the chocolate). They set up two tasting boards, which consisted of different chocolates, three own-choice truffles, and two chocolate shot glasses with honey liqueur. We were instructed to eat them in the following order:

White chocolate, milk chocolate, 60% dark, 75% dark, 80% dark, one shot, three truffles, then the last shot. Gosh it was divine!! Especially the Honey Liqueur! They sell bottles of it for R90 or so and they happily brought out a bottle frosted from the freezer for me to photograph…lovely! After finishing the photos and tasting we were offered a private tour of the factory, and got to know a little more about the Estate. All very interesting, but alas I remember little…photography and listening dont go well with me haha. The bf remembered the wine vats contained 44000 litres of wine, however.

And so ended our day in Somerset West. I was happy it was such a gorgeous day…please hold thumbs for great weather on the day of the wedding!!

Photos and captions follow:


Michael posing for me for lighting purposes


Polo practice


The horses were so well schooled!! Sigh!


See the speed!


Even more speed – and look at the leaning!


Some wine product shots


I really like this shot!


A tiny part of the array of choices for truffles


My tasting board (Apple & Cinnamon, Apple Sours, and Spiced Rum truffles…Apple Sours was a dud though :/)


Michael’s tasting board (Chilli, Peppermint, and Cappuccino)


The Honey Liqueur (frosted and unchilled) with the factory in the background


The Honey bottle neck


Inside the factory – a few vats holding Merlot


Those are the vats that hold 44000 litres!


A view from the inside out


On the way to the factory (I took pics on the way back)


Me!


The bf!


Outside the winery


That is such a gorgeous door!