reis & verblijf

25 wineries not to miss in the Cape Winelands – Part 3

The Cape winelands of South Africa is one of most pretty vineyard concentrated areas in the world. Nestled between high mountains, surrounded by green hills, olive and lemon trees, dams, birds and unpaved roads, it truly feels like paradise. Farm living in South Africa is a lifestyle. And I know it as I lived in Franschhoek for 5,5 years and I’m still amazed about the beauty of this part of the world. In this third part of my series ’25 wineries not to miss in the Cape Winelands’ I will share another five wineries plus some insider’s information with you, and what to do, taste or order every certain winery. Some places are really for the wine, some for their restaurant, some for the views and some for a special thing to do, for example a picnic, the garden walk, or because of the special art collection. Enjoy!

Winery 15: Boschendal, Franschhoek

Boschendal Deli and Farm Shop restaurant. Franschhoek, South Africa

Family fun at one of the oldest wineries in South Africa

Boschendal is one of the oldest wineries in the country. Founded in 1685 this winery has some very old vineyards on her grounds. Surrounded by the Wemmershoek mountain range and stunning Franschhoek lanscape, it’s a special place, with rich history combined with modern family fun. Book a picnic under the trees, or go for lunch at the upmarket De Werf restaurant. If you prefer something fresh and simple; lunch at the Deli, and buy your groceries for the home fridge here, too. They offer fantastic Black Angus beef for excellent prices. Read here more about my experience at the Boschendal Deli & Farmshop during spring time 2016.

Boschendal Deli and Farm Shop restaurant. Franschhoek, South Africa

Boschendal Deli and Farm Shop restaurant. Franschhoek, South Africa Boschendal Deli and Farm Shop restaurant. Franschhoek, South Africa Boschendal Deli and Farm Shop restaurant. Franschhoek, South Africa
Have a picnic under the trees, buy fresh goodies at the Farm Shop, spoil yourself for a culinary lunch at the Werf restaurant or grab a burger at the Deli. 

Winery 14: Maison, Franschhoek

Maison estate, Franschhoek, South Africa

Modern winery for stylish interior and food lovers 

This jewel, located on the R45 towards Franschhoek (almost opposite La Motte), is a one of a kind winery not to miss for all interior design lovers and foodies. The owner of Maison estate is the same owner as from Weylandts, the big national interior and furniture giant in the country. If you book for lunch here, it’s great. But don’t forget your credit card. Comparing to many other places in the Cape Winelands it’s pricey…. Anyway, it’s a lovely place to visit. You can also just go for wine tasting or sundowner drinks

Maison estate, Franschhoek, South Africa Maison Estate, Franschhoek South Africa, Winery and restaurant, Weylandts Maison

Winery 13: Creation, Hemel-and-Aarde, Hermanus

Hemel and Aarde Valley, Hermanus, South Africa, Wine, Vineyards, Whales, Hermanuspieterfontein, Market

Food and wine pairing at Creation 

One of my favorite places in the Hemel-And-Aarde-Valley – correction – in the whole country South Africa, is Creation. This winery, located on a hill with views of the Cape mountains, Hemel and Aarde Valley and far away the Atlantic Ocean near Hermanus (whale paradise during winter months), is one of a kind. With her excellent range of exclusive wines, thanks to the grapes, soil, excellent hilly billy location and sunshine through the whole year (but also cold mornings, sea breeze and enough spring rain), it’s the perfect place to make wine with finesse. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir is well represented, but they also have enough Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Merlot on the block. Their flagship range is ‘Creation’, but their second range, Whale Pod, isn’t too bad either. The nicest thing to do when at Creation, is the wine-and-food-pairing. Because here they know how to cook as well. With neighbours as Ataraxia, Bouchard Finlayson, Albeit and Hamilton Russell, this part of the country was shaped by God with his own hands. Earlier I wrote this article about spending a full day i the Hemel-and-Aarde Valley.

Creation, Hemel en Aarde Valley, Hermanus, South Africa Creation, Hemel en Aarde Valley, Hermanus, South Africa

Winery 12: De Grendel, Durbanville, Cape Town

De-Grendel-Menu_01

Table Mountain view with a glass of bubbly in your hand

Not too far from Cape Town, near Durbanville, one can find the domaine of De Grendel. The views of Table Mountain, Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean are spectacular, thanks to the location of the vineyard, and also to the fact that the Main House is built on a hill. Sitting on the stoep, sipping from the excellent MCC (Méthode Cap Classique) Brut, one can think of a worse place to spend your afternoon. Wines as Op Die Berg Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Merlot, Shiraz include their huge assortment. They also do the bubbles (MCC) and Cider (OBEX). Sir David Graaff 1st Baronet of Cape Town 2013 and their Rubaiyat 2014 are the more special red wines they offer. Food at De Grendel restaurant is excellent too. Book a wine tasting followed by a lazy lunch and you won’t be disappointed!

De-Grendel_295_b37c5d93-919e-4fb4-ad0c-f7a6f7485283 De-Grendel-Viewphotos provided by ‘De Grendel’ 

Winery 11: Simonsig, Stellenbosch/Paarl

SIMONSIG

The oldest bubbly place of all

We stick to the bubbles in this article. Simonsig winery was the very first winery in South Africa that started to produce MCC – Mèthode Cap Classique, Champagne in France, or ‘Vonkel’, as they say in Afrikaans. Frans Malan was the one in 1971 that created the first bottle of Vonkelwijn, and ever since it’s a great success in the country to produce (and consume) Méthode Cap Classique. Besides Vonkel the winery Simonsig offers a huge range of other wines – both single vineyards cépages and blends. The Garland 2009 is one of their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon flagship wines, but they do a Bordeaux-blend with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot as well as white cépages as Viognier, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer. Besides the winery and tasting room you can have lunch at Cuvée Restaurant.

Simonsig._Image_courtesy_of_Simonsig_750_500_70 SIMONSIG2Photos provided by ‘Simonsig’ 

Did you like this article? Read the first ten wineries I recommend in this and in this article.
& stay tuned for 10 more wineries – soon on the blog – not to miss when you are in the Cape Winelands of South Africa

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*Note: I have not been asked, paid or invited to write about wineries in South Africa. It was my own idea. All images are mine, except the ones from De Grendel and from Simonsig. My own photos were made with a Canon EOS M camera, or with my iPhone. 

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