Fancy a canter and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, anyone? A boutique winery in Helderberg, Somerset West, is launching a new gastronomic concept – the chance to combine a horse-ride around the vineyards with a gourmet picnic, wine tour and tasting.

Award-winning Journey’s End, which opened a new state-of-the-art winery in February, came up with the idea and hopes it will help people to understand more about wine.

 I was intrigued by the idea and decided I simply had to give it a go. That’s despite not having been anywhere near a horse for over 25 years – and that was a plodding Welsh pony on a family holiday. But how hard could it be?

I opted for a one-hour ride, although the equestrian centre offers treks of varying lengths combined with gourmet picnics, wine-tasting and a winery tour. The picnics, which can be enjoyed outside on a terrace or blanket with stunning sea and mountain views to set the scene, are created by local chef and caterer Jacomin Fourie. Everything, including delights such as garlic mussels, sushi, chicken kebabs and caramel cake, is made from scratch.

But first I had to master a stroppy mare called AC. Her name, I was later to learn, has several meanings, depending on how she is behaving, including the rather indelicate “A Cow”. Anyway, she was having a really bad hair day and kept rearing up, so centre manager Suzelle gave me a gentler mount called Round. I later decided this must be short for Round and Round, as he refused to obey my commands and simply wandered round in circles, munching at trees and even heading back to the stables.

My guide, Ritma, told me to get tough. Round soon settled down, and I started to enjoy the ride through the vineyards and neighbouring estates. It’s a glorious setting, between sky, mountains and glittering sea. From the plateau of the estate, we could see the scale of the vine replanting work being done at Journey’s End, which has recently bought a prime piece of land from the neighbouring Mount Rozier Estate.

The Gabb family, who bought the estate in 1996, aims to produce wines that are true to their origins. And from the high vantage point of a saddle, it was easier to understand what the French call “terroir” – that unique blend of aspect, soil and altitude that gives a wine its unique character. Like bringing up a child, you get out what you put in.

At Journey’s End, quality is prized above quantity, and the estate produces only around 6 000 cases every year. Vineyard manager Paul Fourie gave me a tour through the estate’s wines, including the super-premium The Cape Doctor Shiraz 2005, which has been the recipient of many awards. Deep, dark, with delicious fruit flavours and a peppery finish and a price tag to match (R150 at the cellar door), it was one to savour. Other favourites included the Haystack Chardonnay 2009 (R55), which had fresh floral notes. I could have glugged it until the cows (or horses) came home! The Journey’s End Chardonnay 2008 (R110), which had lovely notes of greengage and melon, also stood out.

The equestrian centre can tailor-make packages, including night rides and teddy bear picnics for children. Horse-riding costs R150 for an hour and R250 for two hours, and a picnic for two people will set you back R200. A winery tour and tasting, by appointment only, costs R50.p

By Claire Hu