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An assortment of accommodation establishments’ graces the Swartland, from self-catering cottages on farms to star graded Guest Houses in the villages. To find the perfect getaway contact the local tourism offices for referrals or brows the various websites. |
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DAY TOUR: RIEBEEK VALLEY Option 1
| | 09:00 | Depart for the Swartland. Head north from Cape Town, along the N7, via Malmesbury to the Riebeek Valley. Follow the R45 past Swartland Winery in the direction of Paarl, turn off on to the R46 towards Riebeek Kasteel/ Ceres. Continue through Riebeek Kasteel to the town Riebeek West. | | 10:30 – 11:00 | Meerhof Winery, situated in Bothma’s pass, overlooks the Riebeek Valley. The cellar was named after Pieter Meerhof, the doctor accompanying the explorers who discovered the Riebeek Valley under Pieter Cruytoff’s command, in 1661.
Tea/ coffee and sandwiches can be enjoyed at Meerhof Winery. Sample some of Meerhof’s wines and drink in the views of the Valley before departing | | 11:00 | Depart for Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Estate | | 11:15 – 12:30 | The historical farm Kloovenburg lies at the foot of the Bothma’s pass, against the backdrop of Kasteelberg. Owner Pieter du Toit makes the wine, whilst his wife Annalene produces all their olive products. Taste some of the wines, olives, infused olive oils, olive preserve and dried olives or linger in the shade of the old oak trees. | | 12:30 – 14:00 | Enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants in town. Note that there is a brand new restaurant currently under construction at Het Vlock Casteel (Môrester farm). | | 14:15 – 15:00 | De Oude Kerk Museum – the original Dutch Reformed church building built in town - for a short talk on the history of the Valley and tour of the premises.
Contact: Leatitia Mans 022 448 1584 | | 15:00 – 16:00 | Explore Riebeek Kasteel’s town square on foot and visit the interesting shops in Short Street. Enjoy coffee at one of the restaurants on the square before heading home. Depart for Cape Town after an enjoyable experience in the countryside. | | | OPTIONAL: Combine this one day excursion with an overnight stay and continue your wine experience the next day in the Valley. |
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DAY TOUR: RIEBEEK VALLEY Option 2
| | 09:00 | Depart for the Swartland. Head north from Cape Town, along the N7, via Malmesbury to the Riebeek Valley. Follow the R45 past Swartland Winery in the direction of Paarl, turn off on to the R46 towards Riebeek-Kasteel/ Ceres. Continue through Riebeek Kasteel to the town Riebeek West. | | 10:30 – 11:30 | Sample locally produced olives, olive spreads, olive oil, preserves and wine at Het Vlock Casteel (Môrester farm) in Riebeek-Kasteel. During season a tour of the table grape vineyards and packing shed can be arranged. A restaurant on the premises is under construction and will open later in 2008.
Contact Person: Ansie Vlok Tel: 022 448 1433 | | 11:30 | Depart for Riebeek Cellars | | 11:40 – 13:00 | Riebeek Cellars offer wines to suit every taste. The cellar was established in 1941 and many of its producers are descendants of long-established Huguenot winemaking families, who have been involved in the industry for centuries. Wines are bottled under the following labels, ie Riebeek Cellars , Riebeek Cellars Reserve, Riebeek Cellars Limited Release and A Few Good Men.
Taste some of their wines and do a cellar tour. | | 13:00-14:30 | Enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants in town | | 14:45 – 15:30 | De Oude Kerk Museum – the original Dutch Reformed church building built in town - for a short talk on the history of the Valley and tour of the premises. Enjoy tea/ coffee at the restaurant on the premises. Contact: Leatitia Mans 022 448 1584 Optional: Explore Riebeek Kasteel’s town square on foot and visit the interesting shops in Short Street. | | | Depart for Cape Town after an enjoyable experience in the countryside. | | | OPTIONAL: Combine this one day excursion with an overnight stay and continue your wine experience the next day in the Valley. |
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DAY TOUR: RIEBEEK VALLEY Option 3
| | 09:00 | Depart for the Swartland. Head north from Cape Town, along the N7, via Malmesbury to the Riebeek Valley. Follow the R45 past Swartland Winery in the direction of Paarl, turn off on to the R46 towards Riebeek Kasteel/ Ceres. Continue through Riebeek Kasteel to the town Riebeek West. | | 10:30 – 11:30 | Taste some wine and join in a cellar tour at Pulpit Rock Winery. Their wines, especially their Chardonnay and Pinotage, impress and so does their state of the art wine cellar. Pulpit Rock has a beautiful restaurant area, where light meals can be served by prior arrangement. A tractor ride through the vineyards and game enclosure can also be arranged. | | 11:30 | Depart for Jan Smuts Museum | | 11:45 – 13:00 | Visit the Jan Smuts Museum at PPC in Riebeek West, situated on the farm Ongegund, where Jan Christian Smuts was born on 24 May 1870.
Contact: Mercia Bester Tel: 083 348 2587 | | 13:00-14:30 | Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at the well-known Allesverloren Wine Estate. Allesverloren is one of the oldest farms in the area and belongs to the Malan family. Statesman D.F. Malan was born on the farm and the original homestead and residence of the current owner is a national monument. The estate also has a brand new conference & wedding venue, ideal for hosting tour groups for lunch or dinner. Meals can also be enjoyed at Pleasant Pheasant restaurant on the farm. | | 14:45 – 15:30 | Browse through the interesting antiques at The Kasteelberg Trading Centre. | | | Depart for Cape Town after an enjoyable experience in the countryside. | | | OPTIONAL: Combine this one day excursion with an overnight stay and continue your wine experience the next day in the Valley or head to the Berg River where the only organic wine cellar of the Swartland Wine Route awaits discovery. |
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DAY TOUR: BERG RIVER : PIKETBERG
| | 09:00 | Depart for the Swartland. Head north from Cape Town , along the N7, past Malmesbury and Moorreesburg to Piketberg. | | 10:30 – 11:00 | Tea/ coffee and sandwiches at the Winkelshoek tasting room. Wines from most of the wineries along the Swartland Wine Route can be sampled at the tasting centre.
A talk about the brandy that they bottle for KWV can be arranged. | | 11:00 | Depart for Org de Rac Domain | | 12:30 | Depart for Nieuwedrift Vineyards (a tractor ride to Nieuwedrift can be arranged with Org de Rac Domain) | | 12:45 or 13:15 | Arrive Nieuwedrift. Depending on transport used. | | 13:15 – 14:30 | Johan Mostert and his artist wife Karin will welcome you at Nieuwedrift. Karin’s paintings decorate the tasteful wijnhuis on the farm. Johan is a passionate wine maker and he loves to share his experiences and knowledge with others.
Enjoy a scrumptious lunch accompanied with wines from Nieuwedrift Vineyards. | | | Depart for Cape Town after an enjoyable experience in the countryside. | | | OPTIONAL: Drive back to Cape Town via the Riebeek Valley or combine this one day excursion with an overnight stay and continue your wine experience the next day in the Valley. |
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DAY TOUR: AGTER-PAARDEBERG The Paardeberg borders on the town Malmesbury in the heart of the Swartland, it is an unpretentious region where you will be welcomed with open arms. Expect dirt roads leading past wheat fields, vineyards, farm dams and cottages; clear skies, indigenous mountain fynbos and country hospitality. The boutique wineries in the Paardeberg offer exceptional wines. Several farms in the Paardeberg offer self-catering accommodation.
BOOKINGS FOR VISITS TO THE FARMS ARE ESSENTIAL | | 09:00 | Depart for the Swartland. Drive from Cape Town, along the N7, north to Malmesbury. Turn off to Malmesbury and follow the road signs to the R45 Paarl. Approximately 10km from Malmesbury in the direction of Paarl you will find a turn-off to the Paardeberg on your right hand side. Follow the dirt road for 3km to Annex Kloof. | | 10:30 – 11:00 | Enjoy wine tasting with Hugo Basson, owner/ winemaker of Annex Kloof Wines. Annex Kloof are known for their Malbec, which won a trophy at the National Young Wine Show in 2006. | | 11:00 | Depart for Babylon’s Peak | | 11:15 – 13:00 | Stephan and Inalize Basson will welcome you at Babylon’s Peak Private Cellar on the farm Nooitgedacht, the second last farm on the road to the area known as Aprilkloof in the Paardeberg. Breathtaking views will meet the eye on a short 4X4 excursion up the mountainside, past indigenous fynbos. Keep a look-out for Buks, the tame Eland, and his family on your way up the mountain. Taste some of Stephan’s wines before departing – his famous Babylon blend and Syrah are well worth it. | | 13:15 | Depart for Lammershoek | | 13:30 – 15:00 | A leisurely wine tasting and lunch at Lammershoek, one of the oldest farms in the Swartland, concludes the events of the day. An informal braai or Ploughman’s lunch can be arranged beforehand. Lammershoek’s flagship wines are their Lammershoek Roulette Blanc and Lammershoek Roulette Rouge. | | | Depart for Cape Town after an enjoyable experience in the countryside. | | | OPTIONAL: Combine this one day excursion with an overnight stay and continue your wine experience the next day in the Riebeek Valley. (see the Riebeek Valley itineraries) or visit some of the Garagiste’ (see itinerary). |
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DAY TOUR: GARAGISTE’ EXPERIENCE These small wineries offer authentic experiences and an opportunity to meet and socialize with the locals. Bookings are essential as the wine maker/ owner could be otherwise occupied with general farming activities. Be assured of a warm welcome and an unique experience. | | 09:00 | Depart for the Swartland. Drive from Cape Town, along the N7, north to Malmesbury. Turn off on the Hillcrest road to your left, just before you get to the Abbotsdale and Malmesbury turn-offs. Follow the road to Abbots Hill Winery. | | 10:00 – 11:00 | Abbots Hill winery is the pride and joy of Dianne and Cameron Baine. A rustic old dairy shed, which are being renovated at present, is utilized as a cellar. Taste some of their wines and enjoy tea/ coffee with Dianne and Cameron before continuing your trip. | | 11:00 | Depart via Malmesbury and the R301 (Klipheuwel Road) to Nassau Winery. | | 11:30 – 13:00 | Nassau Winery is the Lambrechts family farm where Kobus and his sons ply their trade. Wines are bottled under the Black Ridge lable. This wheat, sheep and wine farm is a model farm and beautifully kept. Sample some of Kobus’s wines and go for a drive through the vineyards before heading to Joubertskloof. | | 13:00 | Depart for Dragon Ridge Winery at Fynbos Estate in Joubertskloof | | 13:30 – 15:00 | A leisurely wine tasting and lunch at Dragon Ridge Wines with owner/ winemaker and chef Johan Simons on the stoep of their lovely Victorian home. Linger in the shade of the oak trees afterwards or venture into the veld on one of the many hiking trails on the farm. Dragon Ridge offer wine making weekends at harvest time, which is ideal for team building. Accommodation and a small function venue is also offered. | | | Depart for Cape Town after an enjoyable experience in the countryside. | | | OPTIONAL: Combine this one day excursion with an overnight stay and continue your wine experience the next day in the Paardeberg (see the one day Paardeberg itinerary) or the Riebeek Valley. (see the Riebeek Valley itineraries) |
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