In 2019 the town of Tulbagh marked the 50th year since it experienced the most destructive earthquake in South Africa’s history.
The town was rebuilt and restored and feels like a meeting place of the old and the new. On Church Street you’ll find traditional Cape Dutch houses with green shuttered windows and at the end of the road you’ll be able to enjoy Bootlegger coffee and contemporary art at Makers Mark.
The South African winelands provide exciting experiences for lovers of wine, leave families with a lifetime of happy memories and provide a spectacular haven for those who seek new experiences, throughout winter. Here are a few of my favourite winelands experiences that are better in winter.
Wine and sushi are trendy, now more than ever given the looming Olympics in Japan. Consuming them almost always evokes an experience. But, seriously: can they truly dance together?
‘I paint flowers so they will not die.’ – Frida Kahlo
It’s a completely natural fit, the blending of meticulously curated art with the Cape’s picturesque winelands. Be it perfectly sculpted pieces that add character to landscaped lawns, galleries that showcase the best of the country’s classical artists or a space where contemporary art meets African fusion.
Here are some of the top winery art galleries to visit in the Cape Winelands.
In the Middle Ages wax seals were used to authenticate documents. South Africa’s own sustainability wine seal does a similar job. The seal guarantees that the information on the bottle label about the variety, vintage and origin of the wine is accurate and that the wine has been grown and made in an environmentally friendly way. To date, South Africa is the only country in the world with such an all-encompassing guarantee.
Memories are made of this. Families and friends sharing an idyllic breakaway together, somewhere on a serene farm in a wine region.
Here’s our list of 35 highly recommended fresh-air South African farm stays for large families, varying from earthy and rustic to lavish and luxurious.
Wine doesn’t immediately come to mind in discussions of the Cape West Coast. This doesn’t mean there isn’t anything for wine lovers to see.
Short excursions to favourite places may not always appear to link up with interests in wine, but in the Cape, that’s rarely possible.
Several prominent events are about to put South African Chenin Blanc back in the spotlight. Clifford Roberts gives a brief rundown of the excitement driving the variety.
If there's a Ground Zero for South African wine, it must be Chenin Blanc. Few varieties have tracked our history from the start, become as ubiquitous and emerged as a shining light.
Brandy-making in South Africa goes back three hundred years, but its story certainly isn’t stuck in the history books. A good and enjoyable way to learn about this cultural icon, and discover why it consistently wins global competitions, is available at several, top-class brandy experiences.
This year's wine harvest took its time, but it was worth the wait. Consistently mild weather led to slower ripening but had some pleasant side effects in terms of vine growth, bunch numbers, and berry size.
Enjoy this snapshot of the 2021 harvest season.
The advent of mountain bike (MTB) enthusiasm has been a boon for many wineries. Many have dramatically expanded their offerings to cater specifically to this sport.
At the same time, these routes have given wine-lovers a new way to explore old favourites too.
The list that follows comprises a small selection of intersecting trails and wineries in diverse regions of the Cape Winelands. Most of the trails require permits and more information about these may be found at corresponding links.
“It’s just a perfect road-trip,” declares Doornkraal Farm Stall owner Celia le Roux suddenly.
“Drive the R44 from Montagu to Oudtshoorn, then head back via George and the Garden Route,” she adds.
The leg home has its own share of wineries too. And before you leave the arid hinterland behind, make a stop at Herold Wines, set among the peaks of the Outeniqua Mountains.