The best place for lunch near Paarl? Pappa Grappa, for sure! It probably is my most favourite lunch spot in this area, because it is so relaxed. And the food is fantastic. You get an instant ‘nothing has to be done and everything is aloud’ feeling when you are on the premises of Pappa Grappa. That, together with delicious hearty food, simple but fine wines and warm friendly staff makes this a little gem into the Cape Winelands. Friend and partner in crime Gigi introduces us a while back to Pappa Grappa and the Wilderer family and ever since we love to come here. It’s a place you first come as a visitor but leave as a friend.

The building and atmosphere on the grounds of Pappa Grappa can be described as rustic or Italian/Mediterranean. Where other ‘prestige’ estates like Delaire Graff or Leeu Collection show off with their expensive art, architecture or garden design, Pappa Grappa stays natural, pure and authentic. What you see is what you get!

It is lovely to sit outside under the umbrellas on the stoep, or on the grass.

The food is German-Italian. Best of both world. Think: Flammkuchen, Calamari al Limone, Carpaccio, Veal Schnitzel, Sauerkraut, delicious homemade seafood pasta’s, thin crusted pizza, Saltimbocca, Veal Milanese, Jägerspätzle, Chicken Campagnola, Spaghetti Carbonara, Ravioli and more….

Garlic, Parmesan cheese and hot chilli’s to add some more flavour….

The Wilderer’s family proud: the beast of this distillery kettle. For all their Grappa’s, Eau de Vie, Gin, Schnapps and more… The Wilderer Family, with father, founder and Master Distiller Helmut Wilderer, is already in South Africa from 1995, when they started their business. Nowadays, after years of producing award-winning grappa, schnapps, liqueur and gin from two premised near Paarl, the domaine of the Wilderer family becomes more and more popular for the bigger public. Shame, it was such a hidden gem! On the other hand: I think this hard working family, with son Christian Wilderer now as Manager of the farm and restaurant, deserves some credits.

At Wilderer’s they have several grappa’s, like Pinotage, Shiraz, Fynbos and Laibach Pinotage Grappa…

At the distillery you can taste and buy your own bottles. But you can also order them online from their web-shop. It is the perfect gift for a spirit lover, or nice for your spirits and drinks-trolley at home.

Herbs, species, plants and more add flavour to the distillates.

Pappa Grappa is one of the very few places in South Africa you can get white asparagus during the season! How much I love white asparagus? Very much. We used to call it ’the white gold’ in Holland, and together with the Schnitzel and potatoes from Pappa Grappa it’s the best combination.

There are two restaurant where you can taste the hearty Italian-German dishes from the Wilderer family: Pappa Grappa (Simondium) or La Grapperia (Spice Route). I personally prefer Pappa Grappa, but both places are nice to visit.

Pappa Grappa in Simondium is a perfect place for birthday parties or other functions. Great for young and old, big groups, enough choice on the menu to keep everyone happy. Also, the staff is so friendly and they always make sure you have a good time. That is so important, there is so many choice to go to and I find service and friendliness at least as important as good food.

Keep an eye on the calendar. During summer months there is live music often on a Sunday afternoon…

For dessert we usually take a Macchiato and a scoop of vanilla ice…. But their Belgium waffles are to die for, too…

Sometimes they do specials at Pappa Grappa, for example this German Sauerkraut, with schnitzel, potato mash and bangers (pork sausages)…. Proper German-style lunch….

The Oktoberfest is every year a great success at Pappa Grappa. Live music, great atmosphere, traditional German food and liters of beer….

The Facts

Wilderer Distillery and Pappa Grappa Restaurant is open for visitors open Tuesday – Saturday 11:30 – 21:00, and on Sundays 11:30 – 17:00. On Saturdays and Sundays bookings are recommended.
Pappa Grappa and the distillery can be found on the R45 Simondium – Paarl Road, click here for a map.

For more information about the Wilderer family, the Distillery, to book a table at either Pappa Grappa or La Grapperia at Spice route, or to order your Gin, Grappa or Schnapps and have it delivered to your home, click here.

*Note: I have not been invited, asked or paid to write about Pappa Grappa. It was my own idea and we paid the bill ourselves. All images are mine and made with a Canon EOS M3 camera or iPhone 6.