Namibia | The Erongo Mountain Winery & Two Beards Coffee
After 3 amazing days at the Kifaru Luxury Lodge in Northern Namibia, it was time to head south and over to the Atlantic Coast. As it is a rather long journey - remember our first car did not have the aircon working and it was over 30 degrees! - we made a much needed pitstop to refresh at the Erongo Mountain Winery in Omaruru.
Jess
Here is the description on the website:
Erongo Mountain Winery is situated along the Omaruru river at 1200m above sea level and surrounded by the beautiful rugged mountains of the Erongo region (Namibia). This trailblazing and innovative boutique winery is pioneering the Namibian wine industry, carving out its legacy in the arid dry granite rock.
We were not expecting to find a winery in the middle of Namibia, especially as this is not a wine country. From our experience, most of the wine they sell in supermarkets and restaurants come from South Africa. So call us very intrigued by this experience, as we asked for a wine tasting of all their collection.
Jess
The vineyard at Erongo
Erongo imports most of its grapes from South Africa but they have a small production locally. In their compound, you find the Jewel restaurant overlooking the vineyard. It's in the restaurant that you can have the tasting, either in their patio or inside by the windows to check the view. Service is extremely laidback which is something we are not usually used to in wineries where a more proper dress code and wine knowledge is generally mandatory.
The Wine Tasting Line Up at Erongo
- Chenin Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Namibian Sunset Rosé 2023
- Etosha Blend
- Namibian Kiss
- Krantzberg
- Gravino
We bought a bottle of their Aperitif Sweet Wine Gravino back home. We have nothing to rave home about the other wines but kudos for their work and mission in Namibia. Aside from their wine collection, they also have a whisky range called Ondjaba.
Ondjaba gets its name from the indigenous Ovambo word meaning ‘Elephant’. For our various editions, we use a variety of grainbills from Maize, Barely, Wheat, Rye and Mahangu (pearl millet).
All are smoked over elephant dung, then aged in various casks - virgin casks and our own former wine barrels under the Namibian sun.
Jess
We did not get to taste it but we saw it again as several locations in Namibia. Whilst we were there and during the tasting, we ordered a flammekueche (a tasty Alsacian pizza-style dish with bacon, onions and cream) with salad to share. To finish his meals, my husband always orders a coffee and the waiter came and asked us if the coffee was good. As my husband approved, the waiter showed us that a couple was looking at us and mentioned "well, that is the coffee producer right there!".
That is how we met the lovely Royd from Two Beards - Swakopmund Coffee Roasters. He is the owner and he was travelling with his adorable wife Leslie, on their route to their two-week vacation, before things became hectic in their hometown of Swakopmund, as they mentioned. He offered us the most stunning coffee packaging of a coffee blend called Namib Dream, with East African and South American beans, with bold chocolate and nutty undertones.
What a chance encounter we will never forget!
Two Beards' Namib Dream coffee blend, roasted in Swakopmund Namibia
We loved their coffee and we will make sure to visit on an upcoming longer visit to Swakopmund, to bring back some more home!
Erongo Mountain Winery can be a nice spot to stop at for a quick bite in the middle of your journey from Etosha National Park to the Atlantic Coast. If you want to stock up on wine, we'd recommend you head further south in the continent.
Jess
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