BY MIKE FROUD A GUIDE TO THE TOP QUALITY WINES, GREAT VALUE WINES AND THE BEST WINE CELLARS – AS RATED BY THE WORLD’S TOP JUDGES WINEROUTE SOUTH AFRICA WINEROUTE SOUTH AFRICA W Top 100 Cellars WINE FARMS WITH THE BEST TRACK RECORDS Buyer’s Guide TOP WINES OF EVERY VARIETY & BEST PRICED QUALITY WINES Restaurants ACCOMMODATION, MARKETS, PICNICS, GALLERIES & MUSEUMS Wine Maps BEST SCENIC DRIVES, DAY TRIPS & WINE ROUTE ITINERARIES ROUTE MAPS & GUIDELINES TOP 100 SA WINE PRODUCERS WHERE TO EAT & SLEEP WHAT TO SEE & DO A - Z DIRECTORY OF ALL SA WINE PRODUCERS BUYER’S GUIDE BY WINE TYPE WINELAND EVENT CALENDAR
My WineRoute
Oct 27, 2015
A brand new wine buyer’s guide will be launched this month, a guide that classifies South Africa’s top reds, whites, rosés, bubblies, dessert wines and ports, unique in featuring those cellars with the best track records and pin-pointing the top wine routes on the basis of reviews by the world’s top wine judges. From MapStudio, a leader as regards maps and travel publications both in print and online, My WineRoute cuts to the chase like no SA wine guide has done before.
The book showcases the country’s very best wine producers, with illustrated profiles including information about the owners and the winemakers, the farms’ history, the wines that the cellars are most famous for as well as the business hours, wine tasting fees, contact information, where they are in the winelands, plus details of where to eat and where to stay at these leading cellars, in amongst the vines.
What makes My WineRoute extra special are the detailed maps pin-pointing the location of every cellar, important landmarks and places of interest. The cartography spans all of the main wine regions, districts and wards and the maps are such that you can plan your trip according to whatever your preferences might be – scenic drives, routes according to certain wine types or varieties, day-trip itineraries including lunch venues or where to go when time is short.
My WineRoute also includes recommendations in terms of the best restaurants, B&Bs, guesthouses and hotels, the markets and picnic spots, galleries and museums – those in the countryside, on the farms. Moreover, the guide’s event calendar is useful should you want to plan a trip around one of the shows or festivals in the Cape winelands.
The book showcases the country’s very best wine producers, with illustrated profiles including information about the owners and the winemakers, the farms’ history, the wines that the cellars are most famous for as well as the business hours, wine tasting fees, contact information, where they are in the winelands, plus details of where to eat and where to stay at these leading cellars, in amongst the vines.
What makes My WineRoute extra special are the detailed maps pin-pointing the location of every cellar, important landmarks and places of interest. The cartography spans all of the main wine regions, districts and wards and the maps are such that you can plan your trip according to whatever your preferences might be – scenic drives, routes according to certain wine types or varieties, day-trip itineraries including lunch venues or where to go when time is short.
My WineRoute also includes recommendations in terms of the best restaurants, B&Bs, guesthouses and hotels, the markets and picnic spots, galleries and museums – those in the countryside, on the farms. Moreover, the guide’s event calendar is useful should you want to plan a trip around one of the shows or festivals in the Cape winelands.
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Transcript
120 121
A – Z DIRECTORY OF ALL SA W
INE PRODUCERS
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4G Wines (x) • www.4g-wines.comAA Badenhorst Family Wines • • • • www.aabadenhorst.comAaldering Vineyards & Wines • • www.aaldering.co.zaAan de Doorns Winery • • • • www.aandedoorns.co.zaAbbotts Hill • • www.swartlandwineroute.co.zaAbingdon Wine Estate • • • •www.abingdonestate.co.zaAccolade Wines SA • • •[email protected] Wines (x) • • • www.adorowines.co.zaAfrican Pride Wines (x) • • • www.africanpridewines.co.zaAfrican Terroir • • • www.african-terroir.co.zaAfrican Wines & Spirits (x) • •[email protected] Wine Estate • •www.akkerdal.co.zaAkkerdraai •[email protected] Estate • • www.alexkia.co.zaAlheit Vineyards • www.alheitvineyards.co.zaAlkmaar Boutique Vineyards • • www.alkmaarwines.co.zaAllée Bleue Estate (see p 20) • • • • • •www.alleebleue.comAllegria Vineyards •[email protected] Wine Estate • • • www.allesverloren.co.zaAlluvia Winery • • • • •www.alluvia.co.zaAlmenkerk Wine Estate • • www.almenkerk.co.zaAlto Wine Estate • • •www.alto.co.za
Ashton Kelder • • • •www.ashtoncellar.co.zaAtaraxia Wines (see p 24) • • www.ataraxiawines.co.zaAuction Crossing • • www.auctioncrossing.co.zaAudacia Wines • www.audacia.co.za Aufwaerts • • • [email protected] Avondale • • • www.avondalewine.co.zaAvondrood Vineyards • • • •www.avondrood.co.zaAvontuur Estate • • • • •www.avontuurestate.co.zaAxe Hill Winery • • www.axehill.co.zaAyama • • • www.ayama.co.zaBabylon’s Peak Private Cellar • • • [email protected] • • • •� •www.babylonstoren.comBacksberg Estate Cellars • • • • •www.backsberg.co.zaBadsberg Cellar • • • www.badsberg.co.zaBarista • www.baristawine.co.zaBarrydale Wine Cellar • • • www.barrydalewines.co.zaBartinney • • www.bartinney.co.zaBarton Vineyards • • • •www.bartonvineyards.co.zaBayede! • • www.bayede.co.zaBeau Constantia • • �www.beauconstantia.comBeau Joubert • • • •www.beaujoubert.comBeaumont Wines (see p 25) • • • • • www.beaumont.co.za
Bein • • www.beinwine.comBelfield • www.belfield.co.zaBellevue Estate • • www.bellevue.co.zaBellpost Wines • • www.bellpost.co.zaBenguela Cove Wine Estate • • www.benguelacove.co.zaBergheim • •[email protected] Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap) (see p 26) • • • www.bergkelder.co.zaBergsig Estate • • • •www.bergsig.co.zaBergwater Wines • • • • •www.bergwater.comBernheim Wines • • www.bernheimwines.comBerrio • • www.theberrio.co.zaBeyerskloof (see p 27) • • •www.beyerskloof.co.zaBezalel • • • www.bezalel.co.zaBilton Wines • • • •www.biltonwines.comBizoe Wines • • www.bizoe.co.zaBlaauwklippen Vineyards • • • • www.blaauwklippen.comBlack Oystercatcher • • • • •www.blackoystercatcher.co.zaBlack Pearl Wines • • www.blackpearlwines.comBLANKbottle • • www.blankbottle.co.zaBloemendal Wine Estate • • •www.bloemendalwines.co.zaBlomendahl Vineyards • • • www.blomendahl.deBlue Crane Vineyards • • www.bluecrane.co.za
Altydgedacht Estate (see p 21) • • • • www.altydgedacht.co.zaAlvi’s Drift Private Cellar • • • www.alvisdrift.co.za Amani Vineyards (see p 22) • • • www.amani.co.zaAmares Wines • www.amares.co.zaAmbeloui • www.ambeloui.co.zaAmistad • •[email protected] Anatu • • • www.anatu.co.zaAndersons Wine Estate • [email protected] Andreas Wines • •www.andreas.co.zaAndy Mitchell Wines • • • www.andymitchellwines.comAnnandale Wines • • • www.annandale.co.zaAnnex Kloof Wines • • • • •www.annexkloofwines.co.zaAntHill Wines • • [email protected] Anthonij Rupert Wines • • • •www.rupertwines.comAnura Vineyards (see p 23) • • • • •www.anura.co.zaAnwilka • [email protected] Arabella Wines • • • www.arabellawines.comArendsig Hand Crafted Wines • • • •www.arendsig.co.zaArra Vineyards • • • www.arrawines.comArumdale Cool Climate Wine • • • www.arumdale.co.zaAsara Wine Estate • • • • • •www.asarawine.co.zaAshbourne • • [email protected]
4G – Blu
152 153
ROUTE MAPS &
GUIDELINES
CAPE SOUTH COAST
TOP SA WINE RANKINGS• TOP QUALITY BY TYPE, VARIETY• GREAT VALUE IN EACH CATEGORY• TOP WINE SA HALL OF FAME
A - Z WEBSITE DIRECTORY• ALL THE WINE PRODUCERS• THE TYPES OF WINE MADE• RESTAURANT FACILITIES• ACCOMMODATION OR SPA• OPEN OR CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC• SUNDAY CELLARS / 7 DAYS A WEEK• OVER 700 WEBSITE ADDRESSES• TOP 100 PRODUCERS HIGHLIGHTED
MAPS OF THE WINELANDS• EVERY CELLAR PIN-POINTED• MAIN ROADS, OTHER ROADS, GPS CO-ORDINATES• LANDMARKS, PLACES OF INTEREST• WHERE TO GO FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF WINE• SCENIC WINE ROUTE SUGGESTIONS• WHERE TO GO IF TIME IS SHORT
BY MIKE FROUD
152 153
ROUTE MAPS &
GUIDELINES
CAPE SOUTH COAST
GPSWITH
CO-ORDINATES
TOP 100 SA WINE
PRODUCERS
42 43
FRANSCHHOEK VALLEYtop 100 DGB (Bellingham) SEE MAP PAGE 159
STELLENBOSCH, SIMONSBERGtop 100 DELHEIM SEE MAP PAGE 159
ADDRESS: Knorhoek Road (off R44), Stellenbosch
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°52’10.10” E18°53’08.00”
POST: PO Box 210, Stellenbosch 7599
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 888 4600
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 888 4601
WEBSITE: www.delheim.com
On the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, wine production here began after the cellar was built in 1944, although it took until 1957 for the first wine to be bottled as Delheim on land once called something else... In 1949 the farm De Drie Sprong was (re)named Delheim in honour of Deli Hoheisen, wife of the property owner Hans Otto Hoheisen, who in 1951 appointed fellow German Spatz Sperling to help him run things.
Sperling took over the management in 1957, acquired ownership in 1972, and today the farm is managed by his son and daughter, Victor and Nora. There are 150 ha under vine, production is now approximately 510 000 litres a year, and in charge of the winemaking is Reg Holder, appointed in 2012.
History aside, Delheim’s tourist attractions encompass a restaurant cum tea-garden, a quaint tasting room, good wine and one or two unusual labels – such as Spatzendreck, named in part after the patriarch, and tasting much better now than it did at the first attempt.
Picnics near a river on the Delheim property are among the more delightful outdoor dining options in Stellenbosch.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Sun 9am to 5pm.
Tasting fee of R25pp.Tours by appointment.
ABOUT THE WINES:Delheim makes whites including delightful aromat-
ics and the Chardonnay Sur Lie can be interest-ing. However the flag-bearers feature the Shiraz
(especially that from the Vera Cruz vineyards), the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Noble Late Harvest.
From a winemaking perspective, the Bellingham estate in Franschhoek dates back to 1693 – at least that’s when the first vines were planted. The homestead on the property once accommodated the Bellingham proprietor, the first wine under a Bellingham label was made in 1949, and in the second-half of the 20th century the brand became a house-hold name. Since 1991 the range has belonged to DGB and these days the wines come together at the company’s facility in Wellington, with tastings and sales at DGB’s Franschhoek Cellar.
The Franschhoek Cellar in Main Road at the entrance to the village is a few kilometres away from the Bellingham homestead, which for most intents and purposes is now closed to the public. And in line with modern Cape winemak-ing trends, grapes for various wines in the range are sourced from various parts of the winelands, some many kilome-tres from Franschhoek and Wellington. The Bellingham of today is just so different to what it was 20 or even 10 years ago, and besides the financial clout and marketing skills of the owners and management, much of the kudos must go to the winemaking team.
Cellarmaster Niël Groenewald (since 2004) and viticulturist Stephan Joubert (since 2006) head up the teams produc-ing 2.5 million litres a year under Bellingham labels that comprise four ranges: the top-tier Bernard Series (previously sold under The Maverick label), Ancient Earth, and the budget-priced Insignia and Tree Series.
ABOUT THE WINES:Whereas the Insignia Series and Tree Series are flavourful enough,
things get more serious with the single-varietal Ancient Earth wines and are most complex with The Bernard Series – especially the Chenin
(Hall of Fame), but also the Viognier, Syrah and SMV blend.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:At Franschhoek Cellar: Mon to Fri 9.30am to 5pm Apr to Sep
and 10am to 6pm Oct to Mar,Sat 10am to 3pm, Sun 11am to 4pm.
Tasting fee of R35 for 6 Bellingham wines,R35 for 3 Bernard Series wines.
The charming Bellingham manor house in Franschhoek is closed to the general public. Today the winemaking is at DGB’s Wellington winery, with wine-tasting and sales at
the company’s Franschhoek Cellar.
ADDRESS: Franschhoek Cellar, Main Road,
Franschhoek
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°54’16.40” E19°06’40.70”
POST: Private Bag X03, Groot Drakenstein 7680
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 870 4227
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 874 1531
WEBSITE: www.bellinghamwines.com
RESTAURANT:Garden Restaurant: breakfast, lunch and cheese platters Mon to Sun. German Gemütlichkeit, seating on garden terraces(summer) and inside by the fireplace (winter). Main courses R65 to R155. Signature dish Karoo lamb shank marinated in red wine and rosemary at R155. House wine at R75pb for white (Sauvignon Chenin blend) and red (Cabernet Shiraz blend). All wines except bubblies offered by the glass.Tel +27 (0)21 888 4607.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:Riverside picnics.
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 3/5
A GUIDE TO THE TOP QUALITY WINES, GREAT VALUE WINES ANDTHE BEST WINE CELLARS – AS RATED BY THE WORLD’S TOP JUDGES
WHO’S WHO IN THE WINELANDS• TOP 100 PRODUCERS SHOWCASED• SNAPSHOTS OF THE FARMS• ABOUT THE OWNERS & WINEMAKERS• SOME OF THE BACKGROUND/HISTORY• WHAT THEY’RE FAMOUS FOR• OPENING TIMES & WINE TASTING DETAILS• RESTAURANT HOURS, SPECIALS, PRICES• ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS• CHILD-FRIENDLY RATINGS• ALL THE CONTACT DETAILS• WHERE THEY ARE ON THE MAP
WINEROUTESOUTH AFRICA
WINER
OUTE SOU
TH AFR
ICA
WINEWINEWINE
Top 100 CellarsWINE FARMS WITH THEBEST TRACK RECORDS
Buyer’s GuideTOP WINES OF EVERY VARIETY & BEST PRICED QUALITY WINES
RestaurantsACCOMMODATION, MARKETS,PICNICS, GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Wine MapsBEST SCENIC DRIVES, DAY TRIPS& WINE ROUTE ITINERARIES
ROUTE MAPS &
GUIDELINES
TOP 100 SA W
INE PRODUCERSW
HERE TO EAT & SLEEP
WHAT TO SEE &
DOA - Z DIRECTORY OF ALL
SA WINE PRODUCERS
BUYER’S GUIDE BY W
INE TYPEW
INELAND EVENT CALENDAR
I S BN 978-1-77026-512-7
9 7 8 1 7 7 0 2 6 5 1 2 7MAC/CPT/0613/NB/EF/MP
ANY COMMENTS [email protected] OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES, DOWNLOADS, MAPS, CATALOGUES & SPECIALS
MapStudio™ and the MapStudio™ device are trademarked to New Holland Publishing (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.1st edition © MapStudio™ 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the Copyright owner.
10 years’ blind-tasting
results, labels out of sight – the top track
records of South African wines between 2003 and 2012 – a pooling
of expert opinions
PAGEMAP OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MAIN WINE REGIONS & MAP INDEX 4
ABOUT THE VARIOUS REGIONS, DISTRICTS, WARDS 6 SA WINE INDUSTRY STATS 8
SA WINE & CELLAR CLASSIFICATIONS 8 TOP WINE TASTING PANELS 9 SA WINE BUYER’S GUIDE 9 TOP QUALITY WINES BY TYPE AND VARIETY 9 TOP WINE SA HALL OF FAME 17 BARGAIN BUYS AMONG THE CLASSIFIEDS 19
TOP 100 SA WINE PRODUCERS 20 BEST CELLARS SHOWCASED
A - Z DIRECTORY OF ALL SA WINE PRODUCERS 120 WEBSITES, WINE TYPES, SUNDAY CELLARS
WINE ROUTE OFFICES, COURSES, AUCTIONS 136 PLUS CONTACT INFO FOR INDUSTRY BODIES
WINELAND EVENT CALENDAR 138 FESTIVALS, SHOWS, SALES
WHERE TO EAT & SLEEP, WHAT TO SEE & DO 140 WINELANDS RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS 140 WINE FARM ACCOMMODATION 143 MARKETS, FARM DRIVES, GALLERIES 147 PICNICS, MUSIC, MUSEUMS 148 SPA TREATMENTS 149
ROUTE MAPS & GUIDELINES 150 BREEDE RIVER VALLEY AND TULBAGH 150 CAPE SOUTH COAST 152 KLEIN KAROO AND PLETTENBERG BAY 154 COASTAL REGION 156 STELLENBOSCH AND SURROUNDS 158 OLIFANTS RIVER AND CEDERBERG 160
CONTENTS
C O N T E N T S
(see yellow highlighted entries in A - Z directory on pages 120-136 and on maps on pages 150-160)
3
TOP 100 SA WINE
PRODUCERS
29
PAARLtop 100 BOLAND CELLAR SEE MAP PAGE 159
With two places to visit, taste and buy – the Daljosafat cellar in the town of Paarl and the other on the northern outskirts en route to Wellington/Malmesbury – this is a large operation shaking off its co-op image after revamping on various fronts in a move to be more user- and visitor-friendly. It’s the Northern Paarl set-up that has more to offer by way of lawns and outdoor seating, being open on Saturdays (which the other premises aren’t), and incorporating the Wynvlieg Cellar Theatre where many have enjoyed music concerts while dipping into their picnic baskets.
Boland Cellar (or Boland Kelder as many still refer to it) has been making wine since 1947 – at least that’s when the numerous farmer shareholders in the Boland area got together to bottle the first wine as a co-operative venture. Today with Bernard Smuts in charge of the winemaking, they are a company with vineyards spanning around 2200 ha in the Paardeberg, Drakenstein, Berg River as well as coastal areas and that bordering the Swartland. This is one of South Africa’s largest wine exporters, with production roughly 1 million litres a year under Boland Cellar’s labels alone. And included among their claims to fame: � One region, five climates, masterful blending.”
ABOUT THE WINES:The Cappupinoccinotage delivers what you’d expect with a name
like that. The Flutterby wines provide good quaffing stuff. And for the best from Boland under their Reserve and Five Climates labels, look
to the Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
Wynvlieg Cellar Theatre (also available as a function venue).
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 3/5
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm,
Sat 9am to 1pm (only Northern Paarl tasting room), closed Sun.
No tasting fee for groups of less than 10 people.Tours by appointment.
At Boland Cellar’s relaxed tasting venue on the northern out-skirts of Paarl you can expect to find traditional South African
hospitality and a range of wines selling at bargain prices.
ADDRESS: Northern Paarl cellar on Noord Agter
Paarl Road in Paarl, Dal Josafat cellar on Dromme-
daris Street, Paarl
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°41’19.60” E18°57’20.10”
POST: PO Box 7007, Northern Paarl 7623
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 862 6190
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 872 3866
WEBSITE: www.bolandcellar.co.za
30
ROBERTSONtop 100 BON COURAGE ESTATE SEE MAP PAGE 151
ADDRESS: R317 (off R60), Robertson
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°50’43.80” E19°57’38.00”
POST: PO Box 589, Robertson 6705
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)23 626 4178
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)23 626 3581
WEBSITE: www.boncourage.co.za
There is a lot more to this outfit than good luck, as the name might suggest. Diversity, quality and value characterise the wine portfolio of the Bon Courage family business with Jacques and father Andr� Bruwer heading up the cellar and vineyards respectively.
The Cape Dutch homestead dates back to 1818, the farm has belonged to the Bruwers since 1927, Andr� took charge in 1965 and it was he who made the first wine to be bottled as Bon Courage in 1983, the year that the property was registered as an estate. Jacques succeeded Andr� as winemaker in 1991 and production has since grown to around 1.5 million litres a year under the estate’s own labels, ranging from the cheap and cheerful � Like Father Like Son” wines to flagships that go by the names of Inkar� (reds) and Jacques Bru�r e (sparkling wines).
Many of the visitors to Bon Courage buy a bottle or case from the tasting room and then linger for a meal or refresh-ment at Caf� Maude – Maude being Jacques’ sister and the proprietor of this lunch venue and coffee shop. Indoors is cosy in winter, although in good weather many patrons prefer to sit at tables on the lawn with a view of the garden.
Bon Courage offers wines ranging from great value to top quality and a restaurant that’s casual and re-
laxed. It’s also a favourite of the locals. Very reliable.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm,
Sat 9am to 3pm, closed Sun.No tasting fee. Tours by appointment.
ABOUT THE WINES:The Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon under the Inkar� label are
among South Africa’s best in their respective classes, as are the Cap Classique bubblies. Also among the favourites in the extensive
portfolio are the Bon Courage dessert wines – and the humble Colombard usually goes down well in the year that it’s made.
RESTAURANT:Caf� Maude: Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm, Sat 9am to 3pm. Comfort food, big fireplace. Outdoor seating under pepper tree. Main courses R60 to R80. Signature dishes include tramezinis and wraps. Wines from R30pb (Misty Moun-tain white blend, Like Father Like Son red blend). Some wines offered by the glass.
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 3/5
TOP 100 SA WINE
PRODUCERS
31
FRANSCHHOEK VALLEYtop 100 BOSCHENDAL SEE MAP PAGE 159
With a manor house dating back to 1812, three lunch venues, rolling lawns and old oak trees aplenty, Boschendal on the western boundary of the Franschhoek Valley on the road to Stellenbosch is geared for visitors. From a historical perspective, the manor house is an outstanding example of Cape Dutch architecture, and for years the restaurant has been one of the first places in the winelands that come to mind when a traditional Cape buffet menu is called for. Add to this wonderful gardens, summertime picnics around the Pavillion and a tasting facility – offering budget wines, old favourites and reserves – plus various tour options, and what you have is a wineland tourist destination with wide appeal.
Fruit farming began here in 1685 and the maiden vintage under a Boschendal wine label was 1975. Ownership of Boschendal (�wood and dale’) was once in the hands of Cecil John Rhodes but the operation has belonged to DGB since 2005. It’s a big concern, with JC Bekker and Stephan Joubert heading up the winemaking and viticultural teams respectively, vine plantings covering 150 ha and production standing at some 2.2 million litres just under the property’s own labels.
ABOUT THE WINES:Boschendal was one of the pioneers of M�thode Cap Classique
sparkling wine and after a period of there being no bubbly available from the farm the Grande Cuv�e Brut is back up there with the best
of them. Also good is the Chenin Blanc, and if the word � Reserve” appears on the label you can rest assured....
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Sun 10am to 4.30pm Apr to Sep and
10am to 6pm Oct to Mar.Tasting fee of R30pp.
Cellar, vineyard and estate tours by appointment.
A beautiful property at the western extremity of the Franschhoek wine route, the historic Boschendal’s various claims to fame include being one of the country’s pioneers
of Cap Classique bubbly.
31
ADDRESS: R310 (Pniel Road), Groot Drakenstein,
Franschhoek
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°52’27.50” E18°58’34.40”
POST: Private Bag X03, Groot Drakenstein 7680
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 870 4210
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 874 1531
WEBSITE: www.boschendalwines.com
RESTAURANT:Boschendal Restaurant: traditional Cape buffet lunch Mon to Sun, 6 courses includ-ing bobotie, Malva pudding and brandy snaps at R240pp.Tel +27 (0)21 870 4273.Le Caf�: bistro fare inside and out, 10am to 5pm Mon to Sun. Meals comprising charcuterie, pies, salads and breads at R40 to R150.House wines: white at R65pb (blend), red at R75pb (Shiraz Cab blend). Some wines offered by the glass.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:Le Pique Nique (picnics) on the Pavillion lawn Sept to May: R150pp, R59 for children under 10 years old.Manor House museum.Farm produce and gift shop.Herb and rose gardens, Garden of Healing.Function venues (especially for weddings).
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 3/5
32
WALKER BAY, HEMEL-EN-AARDE VALLEYtop 100 BOUCHARD FINLAYSON SEE MAP PAGE 152
ADDRESS: R320, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S34°22’54.00” E19°14’30.90”
POST: PO Box 303, Hermanus 7200
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)28 312 3515
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)28 312 2317
WEBSITE: www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za
One of the smart outfits up the road from Hermanus, run by one of the pioneers of winemaking in this area. Peter Finlayson founded the business with former partner Paul Bouchard in 1989, has made wine in the distinctive thatch-roofed cellars since 1991 and, although the Tollman family took ownership in 2000, he remains in charge of about 20 ha under vine and a production capacity of around 150 000 litres a year.
The winery building comprises a production cellar, a maturation cellar built into the hillside, a bottled wine storage area and tasting facility run by well trained staff. The tasting room includes a �Collector’s Corner’ comprising older vin-tages for � the discerning palate” – library stock featuring some wines over 10 years old, which very few other cellars anywhere in the Cape winelands go out of their way to offer.
Next door to the winery is an impressive homestead, part of which is also used for tastings, and all around, besides the vineyards, there is what amounts to a nature reserve that visitors are welcome to explore on their own or with a botanist guide if arranged in advance.
One of the pioneers of winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley north-east of Hermanus, Bouchard Finlayson sources grapes from near and far and is
home to one of the elder statesmen of the industry.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm,
Sat 10am to 1pm, closed Sun.No tasting fee for groups of fewer than 6 people,
otherwise R40pp.Tours by appointment.
ABOUT THE WINES:This is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay territory, also dedicated to
Sauvignon Blanc. The flagship is Galpin Peak, but there are also wines that go by the curious names of Crocodile’s Lair, Missionvale
and Hannibal just begging to be discovered by those who aren’t already familiar with them.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Sat 10am to 7pm,
closed Sun.Tasting fee of R25pp for three wines or
R50pp for entire range.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:Nature walks by appointment.
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 2/5
TOP 100 SA WINE
PRODUCERS
33
top 100 BRAMPTON SEE MAP PAGE 158STELLENBOSCH
Brampton has been appreciated for many years as one of South Africa’s best value-for-money range of wines. Initially they were made at the Rustenberg cellar in the foothills of the Simonsberg where the Barlow family used to operate a dairy business. The name Brampton was chosen as a tribute to the champion Jersey bull Brampton Beacon Bloomer, and the first wine under this label was from the 1996 vintage.
Today the brand belongs to DGB, who acquired ownership in 2010. Using bought-in grapes, Bertho van der Westhuizen took charge of the Brampton winemaking at Boschendal in 2012 and production is now around 360 000 litres a year.
Unique to the brand is a wine studio in the heart of Stellenbosch, a fun place that spills out onto the pavement and which offers wine tastings, cheese platters and bar snacks inside or out. The fact that DGB has made mention of this being the first Brampton Studio, would suggest that there are more to come.
ABOUT THE WINES:Reliable across the range, with the Cabernet Sauvignon,
Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc typically the pick of the bunch.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Sat 10am to 7pm,
closed Sun.Tasting fee of R25pp for three wines or
R50pp for entire range.
The Brampton Wine Studio in Stellenbosch doubles as a street caf� and meeting place outside the winelands proper. Unique as South African wine brands go.
ADDRESS: Brampton Wine Studio, 11 to 13 Church Street,
Stellenbosch
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°56’17.42” E18°51’38.08”
POST: Private Bag X03, Groot Drakenstein 7680
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 883 9097
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 883 2550
WEBSITE: www.brampton.co.za
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 2/5
34
CONSTANTIAtop 100 BUITENVERWACHTING SEE MAP PAGE 156
ADDRESS: Klein Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S34°02’30.40” E18°25’01.50”
POST: PO Box 281, Constantia 7848
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 794 5190
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 794 1351
WEBSITE: www.buitenverwachting.com
One of the most established and prestigious wine farms in Constantia, Buitenverwachting (�Beyond Expectation’) is renowned as much for its top restaurant and beautiful setting as its top-rated wines. German-owned (by Richard � Sieglinde Mueller and Lars Maack since 1981) and with a German cellarmaster in Hermann Kirschbaum who took charge of the winemaking in 1993, the property has been used for farming grapes since 1796 and the maiden vintage under a Buitenverwachting label was 1985.
There is now also a casual venue for good coffee and light meals, and picnics under the oaks remain popular between November and April. The main Restaurant offers elegant dining with views of the vineyards and Constantiaberg Moun-tains, and its Courtyard with a water feature offers additional menus that include tapas and high tea.
The wines are just as elegant, especially the Bordeaux-style red blend Christine and the whites which have undergone some bottle-maturation. There are 105 ha under vine, with production of Buitenverwachting wines roughly 900 000 litres a year.
The Restaurant at Buitenverwachting is one of the premier fine-dining venues on the Cape peninsula, complete with garden
and complemented by the wine-tasting room to one side and a coffee-shop-cum-deli across the way. WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:
Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm,Sat 10am to 3pm, closed Sun.
No tasting fee. Tours by appointment.
ABOUT THE WINES:Everything’s good, particularly in the case of the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, red blends and dessert
wine. Best of the best includes Husseys Vlei, Christine and 1769 Natural Sweet. RESTAURANT:
Restaurant: lunch and dinner Tues to Sat, lunch in Courtyard Tues to Sat. Classic fine dining, beautiful setting, great view, rated 2� Stars in Rossouw’s Restaurants.Tel +27 (0)21 794 3522.Coffee BloC: coffee and cake, deli items, breakfast and light lunch Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm, Sat 10am to 3pm.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:Picnics on the lawn by appointment.Bespoke jewellery.Function venue (especially for weddings).
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 3/5
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De Villiers Wines • • www.devillierswines.co.zaDe Wet Co-op Cellar • • • www.dewetcellar.co.zaDe Wetshof Estate • • • www.dewetshof.comDe Zoete Inval • • • www.dezoeteinval.co.zaDeanDavid Wines (x) •[email protected] Deetlefs Estate • • • www.deetlefs.comDelaire Graff Estate • • • • •� •www.delaire.co.zaDelheim (see p 42) • • • • •www.delheim.comDeMorgenzon • • • •www.demorgenzon.co.zaDesert Rose Wines • • www.desertrosewine.co.zaDeWaal • • www.dewaal.co.zaDewaldt Heyns Family Wines • •[email protected] DGB (see p 43) • • • www.dgb.co.zaDie Mas Farm • • • www.diemasvankakamas.co.zaDiemersdal Wine Estate (see p 44) • • • • •www.diemersdal.co.zaDiemersfontein (see p 45) • • • • • •www.diemersfontein.co.za Dieu Donné Vineyards (see p 46) • • • • •www.dieudonnevineyards.comDispore Kamma Boutique Winery •[email protected] Distell (Adam Tas, Bergkelder) • • • www.distell.co.zaDomaine Brahms • • www.domainebrahms.co.zaDomaine des Dieux • • • www.domainedesdieux.comDomein Doornkraal • • • www.doornkraal.co.za
Doolhof Wine Estate • • • •www.doolhof.comDoran Vineyards • • www.doranfamilyvineyards.co.zaDormershire Estate • • •[email protected] Dornier Wines • • • • • •www.dornier.co.zaDouglas Winery • • •[email protected] Dragonridge • • •www.dragonridge.co.zaDriehoek Wines • • •cederberg-accommodation.co.zaDrift Farm • • • •www.thedrift.co.zaDrostdy-Hof • • • www.drostdyhof.co.zaDruk My Niet Wine Estate • • •www.dmnwines.co.zaDu Preez Estate • • • www.dupreezestate.co.zaDu Toitskloof Winery • • • www.dutoitskloof.co.za Du’SwaRoo • • www.kleinkaroowines.co.zaDunstone Wines • • • •www.dunstone.co.zaDurbanville Hills (see p 47) • • • • •www.durbanvillehills.co.zaDuVon Wines • www.duvon.co.zaEagle’s Cliff • • • •www.eaglescliff.co.zaEagles’ Nest (see p 48) • • •www.eaglesnestwines.com Eaglevlei Wine Estate • • • •www.eaglevlei.comEdgebaston • • www.edgebaston.co.zaEenzaamheid • •[email protected] Eerste Hoop Wine Estate • • • www.eerstehoop.co.za
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Eikehof • • www.eikehof.comEikendal Vineyards (see p 49) • • • • • •www.eikendal.comElberti Wines • • www.elbertiwines.comElgin Heights • • • www.elginheights.co.zaElgin Ridge • www.elginridgewine.co.zaElgin Vintners • • • www.elginvintners.co.zaEmineo Wines • www.emineo.comEpicurean Wines (x) • www.epicureanwine.co.zaEquitania • www.equitania.co.zaErnie Els Wines (see p 50) • • •www.ernieelswines.comErnst Gouws & Co • • www.ernstgouws.co.zaEscapade Winery • • • www.escapadewinery.comEsona • • • www.esona.co.zaExcelsior Estate • • •www.excelsior.co.zaExcelsior Vlakteplaas •[email protected] Fable www.fablewines.comFairvalley Wines • • www.fairvalley.co.zaFairview (see p 51) • • • • •www.fairview.co.zaFaraway House Estate • www.farawayhouse.co.zaFeiteiras Vineyards • • • www.feiteiraswine.co.za Fernskloof Wines • • •[email protected] Final Cut Wines •[email protected]
Flagstone Wines (see p 52) • • • www.flagstonewines.comFort Simon Estate • • • www.fortsimon.comFoundry • • www.thefoundry.co.zaFour Paws Wines • • • www.fourpawswines.comFraai Uitzicht • • • •www.fraaiuitzicht.comFrancois La Garde • www.francois-lagarde.comFranki’s Vineyards • •www.frankisvineyards.co.zaFranschhoek Cellar • • • •www.franschhoek-cellar.co.zaFranschhoek Pass Winery • www.morena-mcc.comFreedom Hill Wines • • • •www.freedomhill.co.zaFryer’s Cove Vineyards • • www.fryerscove.co.zaGabriëlskloof • • •www.gabrielskloof.co.za Galleon Wines • • www.galleonwines.co.zaGenevieve Méthode Cap Classique • www.genevievemcc.co.za Glen Carlou (see p 53) • • • • •www.glencarlou.co.zaGlen Erskine •[email protected] Glenelly Estate • • www.glenellyestate.co.zaGlenview (x) • •[email protected] GlenWood (see p 54) • • • •www.glenwoodvineyards.co.zaGM & Ahrens • www.gmahrens.co.zaGoede Hoop Estate • • • www.goedehoop.co.zaGoedvertrouw • •[email protected]
Dev – Goe
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4G Wines (x) • www.4g-wines.comAA Badenhorst Family Wines • • • • www.aabadenhorst.comAaldering Vineyards & Wines • • www.aaldering.co.zaAan de Doorns Winery • • • • www.aandedoorns.co.zaAbbotts Hill • • www.swartlandwineroute.co.zaAbingdon Wine Estate • • • •www.abingdonestate.co.zaAccolade Wines SA • • •[email protected] Wines (x) • • • www.adorowines.co.zaAfrican Pride Wines (x) • • • www.africanpridewines.co.zaAfrican Terroir • • • www.african-terroir.co.zaAfrican Wines & Spirits (x) • •[email protected] Wine Estate • •www.akkerdal.co.zaAkkerdraai •[email protected] Estate • • www.alexkia.co.zaAlheit Vineyards • www.alheitvineyards.co.zaAlkmaar Boutique Vineyards • • www.alkmaarwines.co.zaAllée Bleue Estate (see p 20) • • • • • •www.alleebleue.comAllegria Vineyards •[email protected] Wine Estate • • • www.allesverloren.co.zaAlluvia Winery • • • • •www.alluvia.co.zaAlmenkerk Wine Estate • • www.almenkerk.co.zaAlto Wine Estate • • •www.alto.co.za
Ashton Kelder • • • •www.ashtoncellar.co.zaAtaraxia Wines (see p 24) • • www.ataraxiawines.co.zaAuction Crossing • • www.auctioncrossing.co.zaAudacia Wines • www.audacia.co.za Aufwaerts • • • [email protected] Avondale • • • www.avondalewine.co.zaAvondrood Vineyards • • • •www.avondrood.co.zaAvontuur Estate • • • • •www.avontuurestate.co.zaAxe Hill Winery • • www.axehill.co.zaAyama • • • www.ayama.co.zaBabylon’s Peak Private Cellar • • • [email protected] • • • •� •www.babylonstoren.comBacksberg Estate Cellars • • • • •www.backsberg.co.zaBadsberg Cellar • • • www.badsberg.co.zaBarista • www.baristawine.co.zaBarrydale Wine Cellar • • • www.barrydalewines.co.zaBartinney • • www.bartinney.co.zaBarton Vineyards • • • •www.bartonvineyards.co.zaBayede! • • www.bayede.co.zaBeau Constantia • • �www.beauconstantia.comBeau Joubert • • • •www.beaujoubert.comBeaumont Wines (see p 25) • • • • • www.beaumont.co.za
Bein • • www.beinwine.comBelfield • www.belfield.co.zaBellevue Estate • • www.bellevue.co.zaBellpost Wines • • www.bellpost.co.zaBenguela Cove Wine Estate • • www.benguelacove.co.zaBergheim • •[email protected] Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap) (see p 26) • • • www.bergkelder.co.zaBergsig Estate • • • •www.bergsig.co.zaBergwater Wines • • • • •www.bergwater.comBernheim Wines • • www.bernheimwines.comBerrio • • www.theberrio.co.zaBeyerskloof (see p 27) • • •www.beyerskloof.co.zaBezalel • • • www.bezalel.co.zaBilton Wines • • • •www.biltonwines.comBizoe Wines • • www.bizoe.co.zaBlaauwklippen Vineyards • • • • www.blaauwklippen.comBlack Oystercatcher • • • • •www.blackoystercatcher.co.zaBlack Pearl Wines • • www.blackpearlwines.comBLANKbottle • • www.blankbottle.co.zaBloemendal Wine Estate • • •www.bloemendalwines.co.zaBlomendahl Vineyards • • • www.blomendahl.deBlue Crane Vineyards • • www.bluecrane.co.za
Altydgedacht Estate (see p 21) • • • • www.altydgedacht.co.zaAlvi’s Drift Private Cellar • • • www.alvisdrift.co.za Amani Vineyards (see p 22) • • • www.amani.co.zaAmares Wines • www.amares.co.zaAmbeloui • www.ambeloui.co.zaAmistad • •[email protected] Anatu • • • www.anatu.co.zaAndersons Wine Estate • [email protected] Andreas Wines • •www.andreas.co.zaAndy Mitchell Wines • • • www.andymitchellwines.comAnnandale Wines • • • www.annandale.co.zaAnnex Kloof Wines • • • • •www.annexkloofwines.co.zaAntHill Wines • • [email protected] Anthonij Rupert Wines • • • •www.rupertwines.comAnura Vineyards (see p 23) • • • • •www.anura.co.zaAnwilka • [email protected] Arabella Wines • • • www.arabellawines.comArendsig Hand Crafted Wines • • • •www.arendsig.co.zaArra Vineyards • • • www.arrawines.comArumdale Cool Climate Wine • • • www.arumdale.co.zaAsara Wine Estate • • • • • •www.asarawine.co.zaAshbourne • • [email protected]
4G – Blu
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ROUTE MAPS &
GUIDELINES
CAPE SOUTH COAST
TOP SA WINE RANKINGS• TOP QUALITY BY TYPE, VARIETY• GREAT VALUE IN EACH CATEGORY• TOP WINE SA HALL OF FAME
A - Z WEBSITE DIRECTORY• ALL THE WINE PRODUCERS• THE TYPES OF WINE MADE• RESTAURANT FACILITIES• ACCOMMODATION OR SPA• OPEN OR CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC• SUNDAY CELLARS / 7 DAYS A WEEK• OVER 700 WEBSITE ADDRESSES• TOP 100 PRODUCERS HIGHLIGHTED
MAPS OF THE WINELANDS• EVERY CELLAR PIN-POINTED• MAIN ROADS, OTHER ROADS, GPS CO-ORDINATES• LANDMARKS, PLACES OF INTEREST• WHERE TO GO FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF WINE• SCENIC WINE ROUTE SUGGESTIONS• WHERE TO GO IF TIME IS SHORT
BY MIKE FROUD
152 153
ROUTE MAPS &
GUIDELINES
CAPE SOUTH COAST
GPSWITH
CO-ORDINATES
TOP 100 SA WINE
PRODUCERS
42 43
FRANSCHHOEK VALLEYtop 100 DGB (Bellingham) SEE MAP PAGE 159
STELLENBOSCH, SIMONSBERGtop 100 DELHEIM SEE MAP PAGE 159
43
ADDRESS: Knorhoek Road (off R44), Stellenbosch
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°52’10.10” E18°53’08.00”
POST: PO Box 210, Stellenbosch 7599
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 888 4600
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 888 4601
WEBSITE: www.delheim.com
On the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, wine production here began after the cellar was built in 1944, although it took until 1957 for the first wine to be bottled as Delheim on land once called something else... In 1949 the farm De Drie Sprong was (re)named Delheim in honour of Deli Hoheisen, wife of the property owner Hans Otto Hoheisen, who in 1951 appointed fellow German Spatz Sperling to help him run things.
Sperling took over the management in 1957, acquired ownership in 1972, and today the farm is managed by his son and daughter, Victor and Nora. There are 150 ha under vine, production is now approximately 510 000 litres a year, and in charge of the winemaking is Reg Holder, appointed in 2012.
History aside, Delheim’s tourist attractions encompass a restaurant cum tea-garden, a quaint tasting room, good wine and one or two unusual labels – such as Spatzendreck, named in part after the patriarch, and tasting much better now than it did at the first attempt.
Picnics near a river on the Delheim property are among the more delightful outdoor dining options in Stellenbosch.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:Mon to Sun 9am to 5pm.
Tasting fee of R25pp.Tours by appointment.
ABOUT THE WINES:Delheim makes whites including delightful aromat-
ics and the Chardonnay Sur Lie can be interest-ing. However the flag-bearers feature the Shiraz
(especially that from the Vera Cruz vineyards), the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Noble Late Harvest.
From a winemaking perspective, the Bellingham estate in Franschhoek dates back to 1693 – at least that’s when the first vines were planted. The homestead on the property once accommodated the Bellingham proprietor, the first wine under a Bellingham label was made in 1949, and in the second-half of the 20th century the brand became a house-hold name. Since 1991 the range has belonged to DGB and these days the wines come together at the company’s facility in Wellington, with tastings and sales at DGB’s Franschhoek Cellar.
The Franschhoek Cellar in Main Road at the entrance to the village is a few kilometres away from the Bellingham homestead, which for most intents and purposes is now closed to the public. And in line with modern Cape winemak-ing trends, grapes for various wines in the range are sourced from various parts of the winelands, some many kilome-tres from Franschhoek and Wellington. The Bellingham of today is just so different to what it was 20 or even 10 years ago, and besides the financial clout and marketing skills of the owners and management, much of the kudos must go to the winemaking team.
Cellarmaster Niël Groenewald (since 2004) and viticulturist Stephan Joubert (since 2006) head up the teams produc-ing 2.5 million litres a year under Bellingham labels that comprise four ranges: the top-tier Bernard Series (previously sold under The Maverick label), Ancient Earth, and the budget-priced Insignia and Tree Series.
ABOUT THE WINES:Whereas the Insignia Series and Tree Series are flavourful enough,
things get more serious with the single-varietal Ancient Earth wines and are most complex with The Bernard Series – especially the Chenin
(Hall of Fame), but also the Viognier, Syrah and SMV blend.
WINE TASTINGS AND SALES:At Franschhoek Cellar: Mon to Fri 9.30am to 5pm Apr to Sep
and 10am to 6pm Oct to Mar,Sat 10am to 3pm, Sun 11am to 4pm.
Tasting fee of R35 for 6 Bellingham wines,R35 for 3 Bernard Series wines.
The charming Bellingham manor house in Franschhoek is closed to the general public. Today the winemaking is at DGB’s Wellington winery, with wine-tasting and sales at
the company’s Franschhoek Cellar.
ADDRESS: Franschhoek Cellar, Main Road,
Franschhoek
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33°54’16.40” E19°06’40.70”
POST: Private Bag X03, Groot Drakenstein 7680
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)21 870 4227
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +27 (0)21 874 1531
WEBSITE: www.bellinghamwines.com
RESTAURANT:Garden Restaurant: breakfast, lunch and cheese platters Mon to Sun. German Gemütlichkeit, seating on garden terraces(summer) and inside by the fireplace (winter). Main courses R65 to R155. Signature dish Karoo lamb shank marinated in red wine and rosemary at R155. House wine at R75pb for white (Sauvignon Chenin blend) and red (Cabernet Shiraz blend). All wines except bubblies offered by the glass.Tel +27 (0)21 888 4607.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:Riverside picnics.
CHILD-FRIENDLY RATING: 3/5
A GUIDE TO THE TOP QUALITY WINES, GREAT VALUE WINES ANDTHE BEST WINE CELLARS – AS RATED BY THE WORLD’S TOP JUDGES
WHO’S WHO IN THE WINELANDS• TOP 100 PRODUCERS SHOWCASED• SNAPSHOTS OF THE FARMS• ABOUT THE OWNERS & WINEMAKERS• SOME OF THE BACKGROUND/HISTORY• WHAT THEY’RE FAMOUS FOR• OPENING TIMES & WINE TASTING DETAILS• RESTAURANT HOURS, SPECIALS, PRICES• ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS• CHILD-FRIENDLY RATINGS• ALL THE CONTACT DETAILS• WHERE THEY ARE ON THE MAP
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Buyer’s GuideTOP WINES OF EVERY VARIETY & BEST PRICED QUALITY WINES
RestaurantsACCOMMODATION, MARKETS,PICNICS, GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Wine MapsBEST SCENIC DRIVES, DAY TRIPS& WINE ROUTE ITINERARIES
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