Wine and Witches in South Africa

d_section_start --> When the moon glitters onout of her prison and wandered to the foothills of
the first snow of winter, a bewitching youngthe mountains, where Frans had walked
woman is said to walk the Hex River Valleypreviously. There she sat and sobbed, but the
tragically searching for her lost love. Some sayoutcrop crumbled beneath her and she also fell to
Eliza is South Africa’s most famous witch,her death. Some say that her ghost wanders the
whilst others know her as the daughter of a lowlyMatroosberg on moonlit lights, crying and wringing
farmhand who became mentally ill after causingher hands. In Afrikaans, they call her the Heks
her only love to fall to his death:van Hex Rivier, or the witch of the Hex River.
Eliza was a beautiful young woman whoseWitches and disas may be one reason to visit the
stunning looks ensured that she had numerousHex River Valley, but there is a far better one
suitors. However, she was also a spoilt and self¬— wine! The wine producing region is
centred girl, and when she fell in love with Franslocated just a 1.5 hour drive from Cape Town and
she was determined that he worked hard for herthe small town of De Dooms boasts South
affections. In order to marry her he must pickAfrica’s longest harvest season. Autumn
her a red disa in the kloofs of the Matroosberg;here is magnificent as the vines change into rich
the highest peak in South Africa’s Hexreds and golds providing a stunning backdrop
Valley.against the blue hued mountains. Wine tasting is a
The red disa is a stunning bright red orchid, whichmust, and many of the local vineyards provide
is still spotted by lucky walkers in thetours of the chateau, followed by brisk lessons in
Matroosberg. Spottings are rare though and thehow to sample the goods.
plant has a predilection for growing in inaccessibleOne of South Africa’s most friendly game
places, such as ravines and steep mossy gorges.reserves is located in the Hex River Valley. The
To pick a disa is near impossible withoutAquila Reserve, named after a rare black eagle
mountaineering equipment, and Frans, unpreparedthat thrives in the area. Aquila is known for its
for the task, slipped and fell with a brilliant red disacheetahs and it highlights the plight of this cat and
in his hand.its rapidly diminishing numbers. Aquila’s
On hearing that her young lover had died, Elizacheetahs were born in captivity and therefore
was beside herself and became mentally unstable.don’t form part of Aquila’s game
Her parents kept her locked her in her bedroomdrive, but a safari around the reserve lets you
and if you had visited the old farmstead a couplespot all of South Africa’s big five from lion
of years ago, before it was demolished, youto rhinoceros. From lion and cheetah to witches
would have spotted “Eliza 1868” scratchedand wine, a trip to the Hex River Valley is certain
into the old windowsill.to leave you bewitched.
One night, wearing just a nightgown, Eliza broke