The Leleshwa Wine Tour is done at Leleshwa Vineyard which is located in Naivasha near the Morendat Farm, 95 kilometres from Nairobi. The trips take place every year from October through December. The excursion is entirely dependent on the volume of reservations.
You will be stopped in your tracks by the stunning rows of in bloom grapes set against Mount Longonot: Numerous rows of grapevines bearing grapefruits at various stages of development. According to the year they were planted and the type of wine they produce, the rows are given names. 24 years old are the oldest vines in this area. While vines in other regions of the world can live up to 100 years, Naivasha’s soils include a lot of of sodium, so they will probably keep them for 50 years.
You may get a first-hand look at the winemaking process through Leleshwa wine tours. Grape planting, grape processing, and wine distribution are just a few of the wine-production processes that the business is involved in. The farm instructs wine lovers about the different types of grapes, how to plant them to increase output, and the harvesting procedure. Visitors are led through the vineyards by the on-site viticulturist, who also instructs and responds to any queries about vines. Visitors are taken on a thrilling wine-tasting excursion by the winemaker. Visitors may observe how healthy, saleable cows are raised on the farm, which also breeds cattle for beef.
Leleshwa Wine Tour
You must allow extra travel time because the tour starts at 10:00 am, especially if you are traveling from outside of Naivasha town. Put on a warm jacket, a sun hat, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes. All of this is helpful given that the weather shifts from being hot and dry during the day to being cold at night. In the pictures you’ll shoot in the vineyard, you want to appear fashionable. There are no restrictions on the scarf. Pack lightly because the hike won’t take long. A litre or so of drinking water is provided by the staff from your luggage.
When guests arrive, they are given freshening nibbles and real African tea. You are led through to view the lovely vineyard after tea.It’s crucial to eat before a wine tasting to prevent overindulgence. You should take your time and savor the experience rather than rushing through it. The viticulturist for the winery will lead the stroll. Any queries you might have regarding grape planting and harvesting will be addressed by the viticulturist. You will enjoy excellent and up-close views of grapes because the vine trees are arranged in rows, making it simple to walk between them. The walk is a fun type of workout because of how big the vineyards are. In addition to the lovely vegetation, Mount Longonot will be visible in all its glory. Bring a camera to record priceless moments. On the farm, you will also visit the beef farm.
Winemaking Warehouse
After the tour, you can go to the winery warehouse. You get to interact with Emma Nderitu, one of the few female winemakers in a largely male industry. The winemaker explains the distinctions between making red and white wine while taking you through the winemaking process. Wine lovers will love the tour because it includes wine sampling. You’ll be served delicious three-course meals later. A leleshwa wine tour is never complete without a wine and food match.
These are the three courses:
- You will receive a balsamic vinaigrette-dressed mushroom and Parmesan salad as an appetizer to go with the Sauvignon Blanc. The Sauvignon Blanc has a light gold hue and a fresh apple aroma. Its refreshing crisp feeling makes it a great match for the salad.
- For the main course, you will have some braised Morendat brisket with smashed potatoes in red wine jus. This will be paired with a full-bodied Merlot Chiraz, served from a decanter to properly aerate the wine. The Merlot Chiraz is a deep burgundy colour and tastes spicy, an ideal pairing for the rich beef meal.
- With a dessert of a biscuit base topped with cream and a passion fruit compote, you will have the Leleshwa Sweet White, which tastes of ripe citrus fruits. Yet another perfect pairing, bringing a close to the lunch.
You might not enjoy the wine and food pairing you try. It’s fine. Wine and food pairing boils down to two factors: knowledge and personal preference. Consider this as part of determining which grapes appeal to your palate.
