“We know that our many visitors to Cape Town want to taste some of the regions famous wines during their stay, but with so many other attractions to fit in and over 500 different wineries to try there is often little time to really get to grips with some of the best wine experiences.”

We know that our many visitors to Cape Town want to taste some of the regions famous wines during their stay, but with so many other attractions to fit in and over 500 different wineries to try there is often little time to really get to grips with some of the best wine experiences.

Last month we asked our team internally “if they were stopped in the street and asked by a tourist to recommend just one wine estate to visit whilst they were here, which one would it be and why?”

The article received lots of interest and comment, so this month we decided to pose the same question to fellow Cape Town personalities and industry colleagues in the know.

Jeremy de Tolly – guitarist and lead vocalist of cult South African rock band,The Dirty Skirts

“My favorite winery is the Thelema Estate just outside Stellenbosch. My personal favorites are The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon in winter, and either the Chardonnay or the Thelema Sutherland Sauvignon Blanc – nicely chilled – in summer. If I’m feeling lavish (and lush) then the Merlot Reserve is the way to go!”

 

What We Think

We also love Thelema as it’s situated at the top of the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschoek and it is truly one of the most dramatic locations in the Western Cape! The wines are top class and with great restaurants like Tokara and Delaire as next door neighbours, one can combine fantastic wine with an amazing culinary experience!

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Stefane Kruger – Operations Manager at one of our favourite boutique spots, The Robertson Small Hotel.

“If you are celebrating a special birthday, occasion or just looking for a very unique or romantic experience, we recommend Waterkloof, the sky-scraping wine cellar between Stellenbosch and Somerset West with its panoramic and breathtaking views of False Bay!

They have a very bio-dynamic approach to winemaking and their new exclusive and expressive white wine, ‘Circle of Life’ brings you even closer to nature and its renewal every year. The vines and mountain fibs are magnificent with the Hottentots-Holland and Helderberg mountains as backdrop. The ‘cellar in the sky’ has a modern tasting room and you can see the open barrel cellar from the minute you enter the glass and concrete structure. The working cellar is visible and it is especially appealing to visitors during the harvest season.

The Restaurant sets the perfect environment for very memorable dining. The kitchen is open style and the cuisine has a bit of French style but with a modish twist. It really feels if you are at the centre of the farm, no matter if you are outside on the balcony or inside, enjoying good food and wine, you have a perfect view of ‘wine in the making’, from the vineyards to the cellar.”

 

What We Think

If you like great innovation, design, food and wine (not necessarily in that order) then Waterkloof should be on the list of locals and visitors alike, especially on a day when the skies are clear and the sun shining. With a new Michelin chef running the kitchen you can be sure that an amazing gastronomic exploration awaits you!

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Allister Kreft – founder of Under the Influence and W.E.O (Wine Excellence Officer)

“One of my favourite winery’s to visit is without a doubt Stark-Condè, winding up the picturesque Jonkershoek Valley outside Stellenbosch. Stark-Condè adjoins the previous Neil Ellis tasting room and what initially attracted me to taste these wines was a small sign saying “Stark-Condè – open at odd hours!” Fortunately, on our visit, Jose Condè, the winemaker and owner was in the cellar and we were treated to a tasting and tour of this remarkable property. The wines are absolutely sublime, with the concentrated yet beautifully balanced single vineyard Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon counting as my favourites. The new addition of a Japanese style tasting room in the middle of a beautiful dam adds even more contentment to a personal and delicious wine experience.”

 

What We Think

As a former graphic designer, winemaker Jose Condè not only produces a fantastic range of wines; he also delivered a minimalist and classic bottle label for Stark-Condè. If you’re still able to get your hands on a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon – we would highly recommend it!

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Nick Solomon – Deputy General Manager at the exclusive Franschhoek hotel, La Residence

“Vrede en Luston the Klapmuts Road just off the R45 that links Paarl and Franschhoek is one of my favourite wine estates. They have a fantastic tasting room with a stunning view over their vineyards and produce a lovely dry and light Rose which is going to be a great afternoon wine this summer. Their award winning “Boet Erasmus” red blend also makes the drive out worthwhile. They also offer an ‘enthusiast wine tasting’ which pairs their top range of wines with chocolate and cheese from their onsite cheese Deli ‘Cotage Fromage.’”

What We Think

Another historic estate that has now become one of the top wedding venues in the area. We also love a quiet lunch outside at Cotage Fromage

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Rapelang Rabana – Entrepreneur and Global Head of Research & Development, Telfree Mobile

“This is very tough decision, but I will have to go with the Glen Carlou wine estate between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. I found myself almost always starting the many Saturday wine tasting days with the girls, with a visit to Glen Carlou. And I always have to take a deep breath in looking at the magnificent views they have from the top of the hill. The tasting house is a beautiful structure and also has an art gallery. They produce notable great red and white wines, so everyone finds something they like and leaves happy. My own favourite is the classy Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon

 

What We Think

A new restaurant on the estate with stunning views out across the valley and to Paarl Rock in the distance now adds to the Glen Carlou experience. A great place to sit with a chilled glass of their high quality Quartz Stone Chardonnay

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Andy Fenner – Writer & Editor of “Jamie Who”, a blog about all things food (and sometimes more!)

(image courtesy of Andrew Brautseth – www.andrewbrauteseth.co.za)

“I reckon it’s a toss up between La Motte and Môreson on the outskirts of Franschhoek. I love both because of the great restaurants and the wine variety but they are both so different from each other. So…I guess the answer would be to go to both and appreciate the contrasts. One is slick, contemporary and flat-out cool. The other is rustic, charming and laid-back. Either way, you’ll have a great time.”

 

What We Think

The rustic but classy Bread and Wine restaurant at Môreson has long been one of our favourite lunchtime haunts in the wine lands and we have a number of bottles of La Motte Shiraz stored away in our cellar only to be opened for special occasions.

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David Cope – Blogger a.k.a “The Foodie”, wine maker and bacon fanatic

“With so many wineries around the Cape to visit, the first I’d recommend isn’t a glamorous estate with a 300 year history, award-winning architecture or impressive art collection. It’s a rustic, down-home farm of idiosyncratic winemaker Adi Badenhorst in The Swartland an hour North of Cape Town

Adi produces an award winning and eclectic range of wines (A.A. Badenhorst and Secateurs). You have to call in advance and then find your way into the middle of nowhereland, but once you’re there, you’ll get to taste superb wines, see some 50-year old vines growing in the soils and meet a winemaker who knows more than he likes to let on. Adi rocks the boat, not just because of his unconventional approach to winemaking and branding, but because he’s a genuine bloke who never takes himself too seriously. A good reason to head there. Well, that, and the great view from his farmhouse porch across the Paardeberg.”

 

What We Think

For those who love their wine we totally agree this is an absolute must of a visit. Adi Badenhorst is just one of a growing number of winemakers in the Swartland gaining a worldwide reputation. With neighboring wine estates including Eben Sadie and Lammershoek all close by you have the new powerhouse of South African wine in one small area.  We also highly recommend a visit to the arty town of Riebeek Kasteel and lunch at Bar Bar Black Sheep – a real country treat!

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Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 as you can expect to hear more from an Incidental Tourist, a digital entrepreneur & marketer, a whisky maker and even the great grand daughter of an Italian Count