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The Cape’s Top Ten
Text Graham Howe
If you won a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the best of the
Cape winelands, where would you go Graham Howe, a local food and wine
editor who spends a day in the winelands every week, makes his personal
selection of must-see cellars which tempt visitors with winery tours and
tastings, wildlife and fine fare.
The most popular
Boschendal, the historic Cape Dutch homestead and wine farm established
by empire-builder Cecil John Rhodes offers scenic vineyard tours, cellar
tours and tastings in the Franschhoek Wine Valley. On top of fine wines,
the culinary attractions make it a hotspot. Try the café in the slave quarters,
the sumptuous Cape buffet in the 1686 cellar, or the most famous picnic
in the winelands, served in style on manicured lawns.
Boschendal, R310, Pniel/Simondium, +27 (0) 21 870 4200, www.boschendal.com.
The most charming
A country track leads to Delheim, the delightful home of the Sperling
family, pioneers of the Stellenbosch wine route that put the Cape back
on the map in the 1960s and 1970s. Explore a biodiversity vineyard trail,
a cellar tasting, or lunch with the ducks that waddle through the garden
restaurant that serves home-grown mushrooms and snails.
Delheim, Knorhoek Road/off R44, Stellenbosch, +27 (0) 21 888 4600,
www.delheim.com.
The most authentic
A palm-lined avenue leads to Diemersdal, a rustic Cape wine farm
(1698) owned by the Louw family in the historic Durbanville Wine
Valley. Stroll around the farmyard with its old homestead, gables, dairy
and cellar, and taste cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc as well as top reds
made by four generations of winemakers in the family.
Diemersdal, M58/Koeberg Road, Durbanville, +27 (0) 21 976 3361,
www.diemersdal.co.za.
Fairview
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Wine
The most chic
Set against the Simonsberg, the landscaped rose gardens, the
tower, the tasting centre and the magnificent underground cellar
of Morgenhof (1692) are built in the classic style of a chateau in
Bordeaux. Owner Anne Cointreau who comes from a famous
French family, brings a classic French ambience to the wines, café
and restaurant.
Morgenhof, R44/Klapmuts Road, Stellenbosch, +27 (0) 21 889 5510,
www.morgenhof.com.
The most wildlife
With guinea-fowls running riot on the lawns, the labels and the
cellar-door restaurant menu, the menagerie out of Africa (including
black springbok) is a drawcard for Saxenburg (1693), one of the
Cape’s top wine producers of fine red wines.
Saxenburg, R306/M12, Stellenbosch, +27 (0) 21 903 6113,
www.saxenburg.co.za.
The most prestigious
Founded in 1700 by Governor Adriaan van der Stel, the 300-yearold
camphor trees, exquisite rose gardens, and state-of-the-art
gravity-fed cellar draw the tourists to Vergelegen - as well as the
award-winning wines of Andre van Rensburg, South Africa’s
leading winemaker, served at the alfresco restaurant and picnics.
Vergelegen, Lourensford Rd, Somerset West, +27 (0) 21 847 1334,
www.vergelegen.co.za.
Groot Constantia
Morgenhof
The most modern
The late Swiss artist Christoph Dornier created this red-brick cellar with rimflow
mirror pool, glass-cage winery and underground cellar – a post-industrial
setting for his expressionist totems in the art gallery and the unusual flagship
blends available in the arty wine bar and Bodega restaurant in the heart of
Stellenbosch’s golden triangle.
Dornier, Blaauklippen Road, Stellenbosch, +27 (0) 21 880 0557, www.dornierwines.co.za.
The most cheesy
Cheese and wine go together like oysters and bubbly at Fairview, a popular
cellar destination on the Paarl wine route. The tourists love the landmark
tower that keeps the alpine goats happily churning out the cheese served in the
Goatshed restaurant. Innovative winemaker Charles Back amuses the French
with humorous labels like Goats do Roam and Goat Roti - and some of the
Cape’s most exciting new wines.
Fairview, off R44, Agter-Paarl, +27 (0) 21-863 2450, www.fairview.co.za.
The most historic
You should start a winelands tour in Constantia, the place where Governor
Simon van der Stel planted the first vineyards in the late 17th century. Going
back to its first vintage in 1688, Groot Constantia is the oldest cellar in the
Cape with a fascinating collection of antique presses, stills and vats. Visit the
furniture, carriage and slavery exhibitions in the Cape Dutch homestead and
taste the Governor’s Reserve.
Groot Constantia, off M41, Constantia. +27 (0) 21 794 5128, www.grootconstantia.co.za.
The most entertaining
Winemaker Achim von Arnim makes six renowned sparkling wines and Pinot
Noir, while his family entertain visitors with the art of sabrage - popping corks
with a sabre - in the spectacular tasting centre and cathedral cellar deep in the
Franschhoek mountains. Try the innovative gourmet food and wine pairing
menu at the restaurant.
Haute CabriÀre, Franschhoek, +27 (0) 21 876 8500/3688, www.hautecabriere.com.
Vergelegen
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