Warwick is situated in the premiere wine-growing region of Stellenbosch and is blessed by cool winds that come in from the sea. Warwick specialises in the Bordeaux varieties and in 1987 introduced the blend known as Trilogy. Trilogyis considered by many to be the estates flagship wine. Cabernet Franc which forms an integral part of the blend is also bottled on it’s own. Three Cape Ladies, a Cape blend comprising Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage, is Penny Halverson's current favorite South African wine. Other must try varities are the Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc 2005 and the Warwick Estate Pinotage 2005. Warwick's signature symbol the wedding cup has an interesting story behind it, that the staff at Warwick's tasting room love to share.

The Legend of the Warwick Wedding Cup

Once upon a time there was a beautiful maiden Kunigunde who fell in love with a young ambitious goldsmith. She refused many titled and rich suitors who asked for her hand in marriage, and finally confessed her secret love to her father, a powerful nobleman.

He became so enraged he had the young man thrown into the darkest dungeon. This broke poor Kunigunde’s heart, but not even her bitter tears would change her fathers mind. She wasted away until finally one day he seemed to relent and said: ‘ If your goldsmith can make a chalice from which two people can drink at the same time without spilling one single drop, I will free him and you shall become his wife.”

Of course he was certain nobody could perform such a task, but love inspired the young man and in only a few days his nimble fingers formed a lovely skirt shaped chalice, the likes of which no one had ever seen before. At the top stood a model of his virtuous and beautiful beloved who with upraised arms bore a small movable cup.

Nothing was easier than for two people to drink simultaneously from the wine filled chalice. The story ended well with the loving couple becoming man and wife. On their wedding day, and often later on, they drank their favourite red wine from the chalice and lived happily ever after.

To this day for many couples the chalice remains a symbol. Love, faithfulness and good luck await the couple who drink from this chalice.

Warwick wines can be purchase in the States from

http://www.winerz.com/

Warwick Blog gives some behind the scenes insight into the production and evenets going on at the Warwick Wine Estate.

http://www.warwickwine.blogspot.com/