On wine estates across the Cape West Coast, there are incredible wine farm experiences to be enjoyed. The West Coast especially offers some truly wonderful wine farm experiences. Think everything from dreamy picnics to unique wine tastings to delight all your senses!

In this post, we will share our best wine farm experiences to enjoy, as either a tourist or local!

Namaqua West Coast Region: Fryers Cove Vineyards

What:

Fryer’s Cove is the only vineyard within the Bamboes Bay ward, which is also the smallest ward in South Africa. The vines of Fryer’s Cove dot the hillside 500 meters from where the cold ocean throws its breakers against a rocky shore. The locals are as robust and unfettered as the landscape and it is this terroir that imbues every bottle of Fryer’s Cove wine. Fryer’s Cove wines have a distinct maritime flavor, hence our slogan ‘forged of the earth, Tempered by the sea’.

Where:

Fryers Cove was first established in 1999 by winemaker Wynand Hamman and his in-laws were Jan and Ponk van Zyl. Some 300 km’s from Cape Town the R362 winds it’s way up the picturesque West Coast. Along this largely unspoiled coastline lies Doringbaai, home to a small but hardy fishing community and arguably the world’s only vineyard this close to the Atlantic Ocean.

Fryers Cove Winery

When something is done with passion, love of the craft, and true family values, one can almost taste it in the end result. This can truly be said of the process in which the fine wines of Fryer’s Cove are produced, not only are they enhanced by their natural surroundings, but they are carefully handcrafted by a team of authentic, passionate winemakers who are invested in the greater community. Being so close to the Atlantic Ocean and they are committed to using as much of their natural resources as they find themselves surrounded with.

Fryers Cove Wines

The Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are planted on Hutton-type soil, layered with limestone which extends deep into the earth. They form part of Fryers Cove’s coveted 6-hectare planting at Bamboes Bay, the country’s smallest demarcated wine ward. The fierce, unforgiving West Coast with its bracing Atlantic winds and rugged coastline work well for their Sauvignon Blanc, and they have learned to understand the lay of the land. These dryland Chenin Blanc vineyards are planted on Western slopes with deep red, decomposed granite soils facing the cold Atlantic which brings in the cooling air from the ocean and helps to maintain the vigor of their grapes.

Their wines also include:

FRYER’S COVE GRENACHE CINSAULT

DORINGBAY SAUVIGNON BLANC

DORINGBAY PINOT NOIR ROSÉ

The Jetty Restaurant

The Jetty restaurant is part of Fryer’s Cove Community Development Project and it is here where their wines truly shine. In their natural habitat paired with home-cooked west coast favourites such as Snoekkoekies (fish cakes), Kerrievis (pickled fish), and Roosterkoek, Freshly caught line fish, and more. On summer days you can sit back and enjoy a fish braai on the jetty, prawn pans, and the sounds of great friends coming together.

Cederberg Region: Cederberg Wines 

What:

Fifth-generation winemaker David Nieuwoudt leads a talented ‘team with attitude’ to produce award-winning wines from our high-lying vineyards that flourish in a pure, environment. In the spirit of collaboration, each team member contributes the passion and expertise that produce Cederberg Wine’s exceptional portfolio of premium wine ranges. Whatever your preference, Cederberg Wines offers you a world of award-winning wines waiting for you to savour and enjoy, no matter the occasion.

Where:

Cederberg Wines is situated in a unique climatic zone that can be described as a cool Mediterranean climate rather than a maritime or coastal one. Furthermore, the farm Dwarsrivier is located at in the heart of the Cederberg Wilderness Area, on one of the highest peaks in the Western Cape at 2 026 m above sea level. Cederberg Wines, thus, lays claim to having the highest vineyards in the Western Cape at between 950 and 1 100 m above sea level. The soil types are well-drained on weathered shale/slate on the hillsides and high mountain slopes, with a higher clay content well suited to red cultivars. From the yellow-brown soil of granitic origin to the lightly structured soil with sandstone, Cederberg Wine’s soil types belong to the Bokkeveld and Witteberg groups.

Tasting Room:

Their tasting room is contemporary with a striking pebble feature wall ( each stone was picked up from the bed of the nearby Dwarsrivier) and a glass wall showcasing the atmospheric barrel maturation cellar. Visitors can expect unforgettable wine tasting experiences in their unique tasting room. there you’ll be able to savour our award-winning wine ranges in this comfortable, eye-catching environment.

Cederberg Wines:

A complex Shiraz filled with intense red fruit, mulberry, and cherries on the nose. 15 Months in oak showing hints of sweet spice and vanilla. Red berries follow through on the palate and finish off with a smooth lingering sensation. 2017 Cederberg Blanc de Blancs with flavours of salmon and rich cream cheese with an apple salad and lemon dressing. Visit the online store for their wine collection.

Cederberg Wine Sales

Bergrivier Region: Org de Rac Organic Wine Estate 

What:

Org de Rac was one of the first wine farms in South Africa committed to 100% certified organic wine-farming. Today it is one of only 18 local wine producers certified for the making of wines from organically farmed grapes. From the outset, Org de Rac’s motive for organic farming was our conviction that the best, healthiest grapes make the finest wines. And if you want healthy grapes expressing the characteristics of each variety, creating as natural an environment as possible for the cultivation of vineyards is the best way to ensure quality grapes for the making of premium wines.

Where:

Org de Rac was purchased in 2000 by Nico Bacon, an entrepreneur in the South African fishing industry who had a vision of establishing a wine farm committed to offering local and international consumers premier wines made from organically grown grapes. The first vines were planted in 2002. Org de Rac is situated outside the town of Piketberg some 130km north of Cape Town. Besides the focus on organic farming, Org de Rac is characterised by its isolated position far removed from the more intensely farmed regions. Its vineyards are south-facing and grow in isolation, fanned by the cooling westerly breezes of the icy Atlantic Ocean situated 50km away.

The Berg River, one of the primary rivers in the Western Cape, borders the property en route to its entrance into the Atlantic, and the looming Piketberg mountain borders Org de Rac to the north.

Wine Tastings and Picnics

Expierience Org de Rac and bring a picnic blanket or be seated under the umbrellas on the benches provided. Have the most amzing wine tasting and remember any of the wines that are in the tasting room are available for sale and to drink on the estate.

Tasting Menu

 They have White Wine and Nougat pairing as well as Red Wine and Chocolate pairing, however the Oster and Methode Cap Classique pairing is a must when visiting Org de Rac!

Swartland Region: Kloovenburg Wine Estate 

What:

What could be more enjoyable than sitting and sipping wine and indulging in fresh bread, cheeses and their wide variety of olive products on their stoep in front of the cellar? Their famous stoep has comfortable seating beneath 150-year-old oak trees and with their three labradors, Sable and Sapphire the Bengal cats, and friendly and helpful staff as a welcoming party, you’ll feel right at home in the Swartland.  You can also come and treat yourself to a wine and olive pairing, just be sure to book ahead of time for groups larger than 4, so their friendly and helpful staff have enough time to prepare for your arrival. Willie, your hosts, will also gladly guide you through the experience and make it way more informative if you’ve secured a time slot.

Enjoy the vast variety of wines and experiences. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of lush vineyards and scenic, panoramic views, their intimate seated tastings offer an unparalleled, exclusive setting for experiencing their handcrafted, estate-grown wines.

Where:

Are you looking for an exciting reason to come and enjoy the platteland? Head to Riebeek Kasteel, home to KLOOVENBURG WINE AND OLIVE ESTATE, less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, just past Malmesbury.

Wines Tasting:

These specially curated tastings feature a flight of nine wines hand-selected by Pieter du Toit and tailored to suit a variety of palates and preferences.

Olive Tastings:

Kloovenburg provide an experience in which customers can sample fresh olive oil, taste their wide variety of olives, dips and salts.

Kringe inni Bos

Kloovenburg Wine and Olive Estate’s family friendly open-air restaurant is the perfect place to go when you have kids!

Wine Routes

Swartland Wine & Olive Route 

The Darling Wine Route is a wonderful self-drive experience for wine lovers.

The Darling Wine Route include the five Darling wine estates offering tastings to visitors and the Darling Wine Shop. Explore the scenic Darling Winelands nestled between the Swartland Platteland and South Africa’s West Coast and cruise the wonderful Darling hill roads. Get introduced to Darling’s wine traditions and the secrets of our wine makers! Visit the website and read the blog and the info related to Darling Old Wines. Our local partner from West Coast Horse Trails do offer wine tasting trails on request.

West Coast Wine Route 

On the West Coast Wine Route, expect an intimate and fulfilling experience like no other – from charming, family-run farms in unique locations to some of South Africa’s most famous mega-wineries.