WHEELIE GOOD WINES

My wife and I have enjoyed taking in the Robertson Wine Valley since the early 1990's when many of the farms began breaking away from the co-ops and "going it alone". Neighbours who a year before were merely fellow grape growers now were direct competitors. The concept of attracting customers to the farms was completely new, as was marketing, tasting and sales. It was a fresh start for wine tasters, the wines were good, the prices ridiculously low. Exciting times, a new experience for all. For a disabled wine enthusiast it was also a challenge, with so little thought having been given to how to attract able-bodied clients there was consequently no disabled access. But that was more than 15 years ago, and much has changed.

The Robertson Wine Valley, an organisation managing the marketing and public relations for all the regions wine farms has been actively encouraging owners to provide disabled access. The manager of RWV, Elizma Spangenberg, has made the increase of access levels a priority.

Last year I was asked to do a personal evaluation of every one of the 48 wine farms open to the public in the Robertson and McGregor Valleys. In doing so I must have established something of a record, 48 wine farm visits without drinking a drop! Can't mix business with pleasure, at least not if one wants to get any work done!

My access report to the RWV culminated in a one-page spreadsheet of farms cross-linked with facilities, and an indicator of which were accessable, or not. It allows visitors to determine where they can go and what they can expect, at a glance, without any surprises.

We took in the "full wine valley experience", from the rows of enormous 230 000 litre tanks at Van Loveren to the "garagiste" operation of John Hargreaves and his garden vineyard yielding just 300 bottles a year. The farms vary a great deal in size and appearance. Many have restaurants, function rooms, shops and cellar tours.

We were impressed with the overall levels of access throughout the valley, but when I analysed my feedback more closely I was even happier. At least a third of all the farms are what I would refer to as "fully accessable", i.e. a wheelchair bound visitor, travelling alone, could access the parking area, paths, tasting area, and toilets. That's more than can be said of many brand spanking new office developments being erected in Cape Town in 2008! (but that's another story).

A further third of the farms are accessable with assistance from a friend, husband, wife, etc, or might have a toilet which is too small for a wheelchair. Less than a quarter of the farms are technically in-accessable, although, having said that, I visited each and every one of them in my wheelchair, albeit with help. For those who can stand, or take a couple of steps, the access levels are very good indeed.

Special mention must be made of Graham Beck, Cloverfield, Arabella, Bon Courage, Robertson Cellars, and Rooiberg who all offer excellent accessable facilities that are both welcoming and scenic, and their wine's are not bad either! It was also a pleasant surprise to see Bon Cap offering wine with Braille embossing on the label. I reinforced my belief that where there the will there is a way.

It should also be noted that visitors wishing to extend their stay in Robertson have a couple of choices of wheelchair accessable accommodation. Goedemoed Guest House is superbly setup for wheelchairs, Little France is ramped with a spacious bathroom, Bon Cap offers a simple but fully accessable room, and Wederom offers an accessable cottage. All in all a good excuse to linger longer in the valley.

Those interested in finding out more can logon to www.robertsonwinevalley.co.za or call 023 6263167.