Marco Tonti, a passionate cyclist and student of viticulture and oenology at the University of Bologna, is an old acquaintance of ours. He was with us on our trip to Vietnam , on the Alpine roads of the Tour de France , during our days in Sardinia , and last year at the first edition of The Hills . In January, Marco left for an internship as a winemaker in South Africa, at the Hasher Family Wines winery , located in Hermanus, 113 kilometers from Cape Town.
Reluctantly, the bike would no longer be part of his plans for the next few months. Yet, given that the world is small and a passion for cycling is a surprisingly small and common denominator , Marco experienced an unexpected turning point.
"While chatting with the Vignar Manager about our interests," she says, "my passion for cycling emerged. He immediately suggested I try asking the owners of the winery for one . Frederik and Céline are Belgians originally from Flanders. After Covid, they decided to change their lives, purchasing vineyards in South Africa and building a winery in the Hermanus valley. They both very kindly offered to lend me their aluminum full-suspension mountain bike and a helmet , which I could use on my day off."
Normally you ride with the racing bike or gravel, how did you find yourself switching to a full-suspension MTB?
Very good. I wasn't familiar with the Norco brand (a leading mountain bike brand in British Columbia, Canada) and I didn't expect the bike to be so light, especially considering it's made of aluminum. I had a lot of fun and it really helped me take my mind off the hard work in the cellar.
Which areas and valleys have you visited and what surprised you most?
I had the opportunity to cycle and explore the trails of two different valleys in this part of South Africa: Somerset West and then Hermanus, the valley where the Hasher Family Wines winery is located.
Is it like cycling in Italy or completely different?
What surprised me most was the requirement to have a permit to ride in the Hermanus valley . In fact, a good portion of the 70 kilometers of accessible trails wind around privately owned land and vineyards. This way, the trails are always in perfect condition, as the farmers have a vested interest in ensuring they are used . The permit is identical to a bib and is attached to the handlebars, just like in mountain bike races. And it's also mandatory for those who go walking.
What kind of trails are there?
Staying in the Hermanus valley, I think I rode the most technical trails of my life! There's a lot of rock, and a full-suspension bike is absolutely essential. As for the scenery, I loved zipping around the vineyards where I worked during the week . I found it particularly refreshing to ride while listening to the chirping of the many birds that populate the valley.
What can be said about Somerset West instead?
The valley is much more open. The view is truly breathtaking: all the mountains surround you and a spectacular sea view . You cycle through an early 700th-century estate full of pear trees and vineyards. It's impressive to observe the care and precision with which the latter are tended. The roads here are much wider and the descents more manageable. However, it is full of long climbs, which in distance and "difficulty" resemble Alpine passes. In fact, I rode a loop of 61 kilometers with 1.530 meters of elevation gain! Take note: even in this corner of South Africa, as well as in Hermanus, a permit is required!
But since you're in South Africa to "make wine" and there's nothing better than a good meal at the end of a long ride... what glasses and food pairings would you recommend?
The area where I am is renowned as a "cool climate wine" zone. The two predominant grape varieties in this part of South Africa are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay . Pinot Noir seemed to me to be the most representative of the region. It is less structured and complex than the red wines we are used to in Italy, but very fresh. It pairs well with ostrich, lamb, and local cheeses . If I were to taste it in Italy, I would happily drink it with roast rabbit.
What about Chardonnay?
It seemed very mineral to me. Here in South Africa, it's excellent with lobster and oysters, which are typical of the area . In Italy, I'd find it perfect paired with a nice tuna tartare.
