Editorial: Toast to our slice of paradise

Clearview Winery has had a record number of guests this season.

I am not surprised that our wineries have enjoyed a good summer as far as weddings and tourists eating and drinking there go.

Our senior writer Roger Moroney wrote a story in yesterday's paper to this effect, quoting Clearview Winery by way of an example as having "record breaking" numbers of guests.

Read more here: Wineries report record tourist season

The reason is probably very simple - it has been a long, hot summer, with near-perfect afternoons. Throw in the beautiful vistas we have in the Bay and who would not want to get married at one of our many wineries. Equally, the unique sceneries and fine wine would wow even the most sceptical tourist.

A couple of weeks ago, I found out just how popular our wineries are when I arranged an outing for two friends, who were in town reporting on the Cricket World Cup.

They had a Saturday afternoon free and were keen to get out and about. I thought a visit to a winery would be perfect, so I rang around to a few establishments to see if they were open. Lucky that I did because four wineries I phoned were very apologetic, but they had weddings on. I got the sense that this had been the theme of the summer.

Eventually we settled on Elephant Hill winery, with its beautiful views out to Cape Kidnappers.

It turned out to be a very good choice and my friends, who are cynical journalists at the best of times, were pleasantly surprised. It certainly made a change from Cricket World Cup stadiums.

They left raving about the afternoon and were soon posting on Facebook and Twitter about it.

The more the word is spread about our slice of Heaven on Earth here the better.