Busy in the kitchen, he finally confesses that, actually, he loves cooking. But quick and easy, no-fuss stuff, particularly pasta and seafood. 'I don't use recipe books; I just make whatever I feel like and wing it as I go along. I'm no master chef; it takes too much time, which I don't always have, and I don't like being rushed when I cook.'
His's very particular about how he goes about things. Pierre Wahl can't find the braai tongs to turn the sizzling beef fillet and gets the closest to being irritated that he probably allows anyone not close to him to see. 'I just hate it when my tools aren't where they should be .. .'
Anli, equally at home in the kitchen, rolls her eyes. 'I actually wish he'd cook more. He's really good. He makes a killer spaghetti bolognaise.'
Pierre generally sources his meat 'from a very good butcher here in Tulbagh'.
Pierre Wahl also enjoys venison, but not the hunting side of it. It's the boyhood wanna-be conservationist and animal lover speaking, doting owner of Lucca and Minio, two sleek Weimaraners who each have their own, spacious, comfortable blanket- and cushion-filled kennels complete with decorative personalised name boards.
'I leave the hunting to the other guys, mainly David [Nieuwoudt], Frans [Smit], and Dewaldt, though he doesn't much like having to shoot animals either.
Although he got this bokkie...' Friends since their Elsenburg Agricultural College days, the foursome retain a close bond, forged as students and at various get-togethers over the years, where their antics earned them the moniker of the 'four musketeers'.
But his favourite get-away is to the coast, either fishing or sea kayaking with best friend Matthew Krone [winemaker son of veteran vintner Nicky Krone of historic neighbouring Twee Jonge Gezellen wine estate]. Langebaan is their destination of choice. 'It's safer!'
The friends once decided 'to be brave or stupid, I'm not sure which' by going out at Cape Agulhas.
They were paddling along on a two-man kayak when, next thing, they spotted a large fin slicing through the waves.
'It was a massive shark, a great white, right there, swimming next to us. He must have been close to 3.5 m, the length of our kayak! Matthew took one look and just headed straight for shore.
I tried to keep my pose, but couldn't for too long! I've never seen anyone paddle so fast: he would have run across that water if he could have.
'We needed to get out of the kayak and pull ourselves and the boat up out of the sea over the low rock wall of a paddling pool.
But we were paddling so fast the kayak landed right on top of the wall with us still in it! Matthew just flung himself out, but I got stuck in the kayak, balanced on top of this wall! It was really funny, but we were absolutely petrified!'
King prawns recipe by Pierre Wahl paired with Rijk's Chenin Blanc Reserve wine which compliments the chilli and lemon flavours....
Springbok fillet with port, pinotage and berry sauce recipe by Pierre Wahl paired with Rijk's Pinotage Reserve wine....