Brought to you by the Robertson Wine Valley

Nestled between the Langeberg and Riviersonderend mountain ranges, the Robertson Wine Valley is packed with things for adventurous foodies to try. The valley incorporates Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson, and with more than 50 wineries, is best known for its four wine festivals: Hands on Harvest, Wacky Wine Weekend, Slow Food and Wine, and Wine on the River. But there’s plenty more to do besides!

Below is an incredibly ambitious itinerary. In fact, there’s probably enough here for two separate weekends.

Friday

3pm: Toast the weekend at Graham Beck

Congratulate yourself on taking a half-day, and stop off 10km outside Robertson at the Graham Beck Estate, renowned for their prestigious Méthode Cap Classique bubbly portfolio. Tastings run from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and from 10am to 4pm on weekends. A classic tasting is complimentary; else opt for the tasting of five MCCs (R75), or a deluxe A Glass Act MCC tasting for R125 with Riedel & Lehmann glassware.

4pm: Sip bubbly at Paul René MCC boutique winery

Currently, the estate offers a Brut (100% chardonnay) and a Brut Rose (pinot noir and chardonnay). Photo by Breede Photography.

Henk and Monica van Niekerk are doing wonderful things with MCC on the Wonderfontein Estate. Named for Monica’s father, Paul René currently offers two bubblies: a brut made with 100% chardonnay and a brut rosé made with 75% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay. Both are delicious, refreshing MCCs with small bubbles and a silky richness, which pair beautifully with the serene vineyards, and if you’re in luck, tasters of sirloin cooked on Henk’s braai. Tastings are by appointment only. Psst: They’re also hosting a bubbly festival on 4 November, with music by Arno Carstens, lawn games, craft gin, bubbly and oysters. Tickets are here.

7pm: Dine at Ma Cuisine at Mimosa Lodge

Ma Cuisine’s seared salmon and crayfish dish. Photo supplied.

Follow the road through a short tunnel in the rock and you’ll find yourself in the historic little town of Montagu – not technically part of the Robertson Wine Valley, but close enough and quaint enough to warrant a visit. Mimosa Lodge has been around since 1985, and for the past 13 years Bernard and Fida Hess have built up a reputation for tasty old-style, bistro food. Think scallops with home-made sweet chilli sauce, perfectly seared steak, or ostrich fillet with pommes fondant and muscat-and-thyme jus. Tuck into a three-course menu for R320 (R620 with wine pairing). Mimosa also produces its own wines, which you’ll soon be able to taste at a dedicated tasting facility with an attached day-time restaurant.

Saturday

10am: Taste wine and charcuterie at Kleinhoekkloof

A post shared by Kleinhoekkloof Wines (@kleinhoekkloof_wines) on Aug 2, 2017 at 4:04am PDT

Nestled in the mountains behind Ashton, this small farm is a good place to start the day – for several reasons. Firstly, it produces a breakfast wine – by happy accident the merlot rose pairs beautifully with bacon and eggs – and secondly, it offers delicious charcuterie platters. Theunis de Jongh left the business world for a quiet life of wine making and farming and made his first vintage in 2011. “I’ve never worked so hard in my life,” says the former Pretoria native with a laugh. That may be, but it’s pretty clear he’s enjoying himself. In this narrow valley, which the sun only reaches late in the day, and leaves early, Theunis is producing some award-winning wines. His very first wine won a Michelangelo Gold Award. 

Kleinhoekkloof Merlot Blanc de Noir 2017 aka ‘Breakfast Wine’ & ‘Ninja Juice’ in the making #blancdenoir #rosé #harvest2017 #cellar A post shared by Kleinhoekkloof Wines (@kleinhoekkloof_wines) on Feb 21, 2017 at 12:30am PST

 

After receiving a short charcuterie course with Neil Jewell of Bread & Wine for his birthday, his offering has expanded to cured meat. Now, he’s not turning out some glorious prosciutto, Italian-style salami, coppa, Spanish ham, spek, culatello and bresaola. Locals sign up for delivery packages of his products through his Pigs on the Wing club – a reference to the Pink Floyd song. Theunis’s pork comes from Glen Oakes, where pigs forage for 14 months in the mountains before being turned into charcuterie. “The principle is the same as wine,” says Theunis. “If you’ve got good grapes, you can make good wine.”

Midday: Take a river cruise at Viljoensdrift

On the river at Viljoensdrift. Photo by Katharine Jacobs.

The thing to do here is stock up a picnic basket in the deli, buy a bottle of wine, and hop on the river cruise. It’s a 50-minute straight up-and-down route, but the countryside is beautiful, and it’s a splendid way to relax while nibbling on olives and pâté and sipping bubbly. Cruises run on an ad-hoc basis during the week (they need at least six passengers to run) and from midday to 3pm on Saturdays. Cruises are R70 for adults (and include a complimentary wine tasting) or R20 for children between three and 12. There’s also a very casual restaurant overlooking the river (think calamari and chips, or sticky ribs), which is now also open on Saturdays with live music. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

3pm: Taste olives at Marbrin Olives

Taste olives and enjoy the unobstructed mountain views at Marbrin. Photo supplied.

Named for sisters Marla and Briony Coetsee, this charming olive farm was the first in the area when their father planted olives on some unfarmed land in 1997. The investment paid off: Run today by the sisters, plus Briony’s partner, Clive Heymans, the farm is producing some downright delicious olives, oils, and a must-try tapenade. Pop in for a tasting (R50 or free if you spend over R150) and you’ll leave with an armload of olive products, the recipes to use them, and a faint desire to give it all up move to the countryside – preferably somewhere with similarly uninterrupted mountain views. Marbrin is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, Saturdays from 9am to 4pm and on public holidays from 10am to 2pm.

7pm: Dine at The Small Restaurant at The Robertson Small Hotel

The historic hotel has recently been remodelled thanks to new owner, Abigail Rands. Photo by Micky Hoyle.

Set in a 116-year-old building, this hotel has just been beautifully redone, thanks to new owner Abigail Rands. The new space blends broekielace with contemporary touches – ceramics by Michael Chandler, textiles from Alexis Barrell and quirky ceramic animals from local makers Rialheim Studios. It’s a gorgeous space, and quite a surprise out in the sticks.

The bar area features a custom designed tile image dedicated to Abigail’s father. Photo by Micky Hoyle.

Begin with a honey whisky-sour cocktail in the bar, before taking a seat in the dining room for the menu of new head chef Mariska Hennig. Think perfectly seared beef fillet with garlic-and-onion purée, or five-spiced duck breast with celeriac purée and fondant potatoes. For pud, cheese fans will love the savoury mozzarella cheesecake with warm berry sauce.

A dish from the new chef’s menu. Photo by Micky Hoyle.

Sunday

11am: Taste wine, marc (grappa) and eau de vie at Tanagra
If you’re staying on the McGregor side of the valley, make sure you make time to visit this small producer. German couple Robert and Anette Rosenbach make a range of wines, plus some European-inspired, small-batch spirits. Taste grappa made from grape skins from the neighbouring Springfield estate and eau de vie made with peaches, apricots, quinces and lemons against the backdrop of the fynbos-covered mountains of McGregor. It’s a small operation, so it’s best to call before coming to check that either Robert or Anette will be there. Anette also recommends eating something before a tasting of the grappa: “We have people for breakfast, and the spirits can really knock you out!”

Lunch at Bon Cap Bistro

Bon Cap serves up hearty Sunday lunches. Photo supplied.

If you’re driving back home via the R60, fuel up at this restaurant en route. The country-style kitchen has a roaring fire inside, and views of the dam and beautiful Eilandia valley outside. On the menu are plenty of hearty, generous bistro dishes like waterblommetjiebredie, traditional bobotie, and juicy steak with all the trimmings. Portions are seriously generous: make sure you come hungry. The venue also hosts weddings. Bookings are essential.

Other must-try destinations

Sample unfiltered wines at Springfield

Visit the Springfield Wine Estate and taste Abrie and Jeanette Bruwer’s excellent wines, many of them made with wild yeast and bottled unfiltered. Tasting and sales are open from Mondays to Fridays 8am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. Guided tours are offered on request and by prior arrangement.

Taste wine at Arendsig

Lourens van der Westhuizen makes unique, single-vineyard wines with minimal interference. Tastings are by appointment.

Learn about chardonnay at De Wetshof

Known as the home of chardonnay in SA, this iconic Robertson estate makes site-specific chardonnays, as well as somewhat rare varietals like riesling – along with several others. Tastings are R70 for 12 wines. Visit Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 1pm. (Closed Sundays and some public holidays.)

Taste wine by candlelight at Weltevrede

This fourth-generation farm is located near Bonnievale. Tour the estate’s historic underground tunnels and taste the excellent wines by candlelight (R100 – booking essential) or just opt for the free, above-ground tasting. Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturdays from 9am to 3.30pm.

Blend your own wine at Excelsior

Test your skills at the tasting room. You’ll begin by sipping on the estate’s reds, and then creating your own signature red blend from three little barrels. It’s a quick, fun activity for novice wine fans – and you’ll leave with your own personalised bottle.

About the Robertson Wine Valley

The Robertson Wine Valley association was formed in 1983 to cohesively improve the local wine industry, promote the valley as a tourism destination and uplift the community. Today it proudly represents over 50 wineries and tourism establishments from the towns Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson. Members are united in passion to create the most memorable wine- and food-tourism experiences hosted by our unique, authentic country-charm hospitality.