The wonderful West Coast Wine Route spreads all the way from Durbanville to Koekenaap, offering world-class wine, seafood, rooibos tea and so much more!
From family-run farms to prominent mega-wineries, it beckons with its warm hospitality & local treasures. Read on as we share our charming WineTots journey to the greatest wineries the West Coast has to offer.
Visit during Spring (early August/September) to witness a wildflower wonderland that transforms the arid landscape into a blooming paradise!
Tierhoek
On the peaks of the Piekenierskloof Mountain, part of the greater Cederberg Mountain area, is Tierhoek, one of the oldest remaining Sandveld farms along Africa’s West Coast renowned not only for their first-class Chenin Blanc & Shiraz, but also their endemic medicinal Buchu & Rooibos – some of the best in the area!
The previously dilapidated buildings, including an old horse mill, have been restored to their original architecture, providing an authentic country experience. Savour their flagship Chenin Blanc (a full-bodied, expressive vintage produced by 50-year-old vines! Also used to produce their straw wine – a sweet dessert wine perfect for a night cap), or sip on some of their other fine wines like the unwooded Sauvignon Blanc with fantastic ageing potential or the renowned Grenache Noir (60-year-old vines of the popular Spanish Variety producing a complex vintage for the most discerning palates).
Klawer
Klawer Wine Cellar, at the foot of the Matzikama Mountains, is an unspoiled gateway & warm welcome to the Olifants River Valley, producing top notch vintages of classic cultivars like Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc & Pinotage.
Klawer wines are exceptional quality at affordable prices – we highly recommend a visit (or 2) to the tasting room where guests can choose from a multitude of pairings (including a Kiddies Pairing to entertain the little ones for only R25pp!) – White/Red/Rosè Wine Pairing @R65pp, Rooibos & Wine Pairing @R65pp (must-try!), Kokerboom cheese & wine pairing @R65pp, or the Olive & Wine Pairing @R65pp.
Don’t miss out on their unique African Ruby Rooibos Vermouth (a rooibos-infused red muscadel) or their Villa Esposto range, premium wines that pay tribute to the many Italians who played a vital role in wine making in SA.
Lutzville
Venture off the beaten track to the second largest cellar in SA, Lutzville Vineyards, producing expertly crafted elegant easy-drinking reds & whites.
Their tasting room, a popular destination for tourists & locals alike, offers a wide variety of pairing options both sweet & savoury! Choose from the Sauvignon Blanc pairing (The Classic- and Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc paired with a mini-quiche, chevin, marinated olives & a delicate lime flavoured macaron), the Winter Wine Pizza pairing (discover the Diamond Collection Red Wine Trinity, paired with mini-pizzas), and, for those with a sweet tooth, the Natural Sweet Wine paired with Wedgewood Nougat. You’ll be spoilt for choice! Also available is the new Chateau Del Rei & Macaron pairing @90 per pairing, perfect for 2.
The Restaurant, a charismatic tasting & bar area, features gorgeous views over a dam & golf course – the ideal breakfast & lunch destination year-round. Browse their organic, free-range menu offering an enticing assortment of delicious dishes & plentiful platters.
Namaqua
Namaqua Wines, a West Coast wonder on the outskirts of Vredendal, boasts a breathtaking backdrop of the magnificent Maskam Mountains – the perfect escape from city living.
The rustic Tasting Room, which shares a space with their on-site restaurant Die Keldery, is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and appreciate local culture & cuisine at its finest. Their seasonal food & wine pairing menu uses produce from regional harvests, supporting the local industry while keeping things interesting. They offer 2 specialty pairings that are always available – the wine & biltong pairing, and the wine & Lindt chocolate pairing – both must tries! Namaqua Wines is a family-oriented farm, offering the Kiddies their very own pairing option of grape juice & Jellytots!
Namaqua has 3 wine ranges – the Everyday Namaqua range (dynamic, well-rounded wines that are perfect for everyday, easy-drinking), the Cultivar Namaqua range (quality single grape cultivars showcasing each varietal’s distinct profile; for the wine enthusiast), & the Heritage Namaqua range (a premium selection of their finest wines).
Dine at Die Keldery Restaurant for a gourmet culinary experience. Featuring a diverse menu with creatively curated cuisine inspired by local dishes – from eggs benedict to steak and lamb pot pie – the perfect accompaniment to their wonderful wines!
Teubes
Just outside of Vredendal is Teubes Family Wines, masters of Sauvignon Blanc (their Malkopbaai Sauv Blanc is the perfect summer wine!).
The spacious tasting room offers a luxurious atmosphere with its French-inspired architecture… the perfect setting to enjoy a wine tasting/pairing or a delightful cheese platter. Sample all the wines across their ranges for only R70pp! Unearth the flavours across their ranges – Teubes, Sir Lambert (excellent Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc), Malkopbaai, and their crisp brut/rosé MCC Karoobossie. New to Teubes is the Zero S Wines range – a low kilojoule wine with zero sugar or sulphur!
At Teubes there’s truly something for the whole family – parents can unwind on the sunny stoep while the tots entertain themselves at the play area or petting zoo! Snack on a light lunch (juicy pure beef burgers, tender calamari, pizzas of course, and more) while you sip on some Sauv Blanc – the perfect way to spend the day!
Fryer’s Cove
Located in the Bamboes Bay ward is the unique & hidden local treasure Fryer’s Cove, with an abundance of unspoiled coastal views & fabulous fresh seafood!
The wine tasting venue is uniquely situated inside a decommissioned crayfish factory – a truly authentic agrestic experience. Soak in the sights & smells of the Atlantic Ocean while sipping on their fantastic wines – only made better by the cheerful company.
Discover the essence of the West Coast at The Jetty restaurant where the wines are showcased perfectly alongside the finest & freshest local ingredients straight from the West Coast – feast on local favourites like pickled fish, fish curry and, of course, oysters while sipping on a chilled glass of their flagship Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc.
*Please note: all information is correct at the date of publication, 2024. See websites below for up-to-date info!
Contact Me – Hilary - at hello@winetots.com for more details on your favourite Wineland spots to visit & to book a personalised tour of your own – behind the scenic routes of the Plett & Cape Winelands & beyond!
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From the Loire Valley (in France) to Lutzville on the West Coast of South Africa!
Click here to check out our previous blog “France’s Finest Vines: the Loire Valley”!
Important info:
Tierhoek: https://www.tierhoek.com/ ; info@tierhoek.com ; 021 674 3041
Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 4:30pm
Klawer: https://www.klawerwine.co.za/ ; ontvangs@klawerwyn.co.za ; 027 216 1530
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm ; Sat 9am – 1pm
Lutzville: https://lutzvillevineyards.com/ ; info@lutzvillevineyards.com ; 027 217 1516
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm ; Sat 10am – 2pm
Namaqua: https://www.namaquawines.com/ ; info@namaquawines.com ; 0800 626 2782
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8am – 4pm
Teubes: https://www.teubeswines.co.za ; info@teubeswines.co.za ; 027 213 2377
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 9am – 5pm
Fryer’s Cove: https://fryerscove.co.za/ ; admin@fryerscove.co.za ; 076 290 4372
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 6pm
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