Round up the day’s follies at the Jan Harmsgat Country House, which offers five-star accommodation with the warmest service I’ve ever encountered. This Cape Dutch guesthouse is flanked by pomegranate groves and decorated with impeccable simplicity — it’s nirvana for the weary traveller. Dinner in the restaurant is a must: what is served from the farm’s own gardens will sate even the finest of palates. And, on the following morning, a tour through the farm’s pomegranate orchards, fresh juice included, is an excellent panacea for the previous day’s overindulgences. For a customised Robertson experience, Hot Oven Marketing can be relied on to cater to the desires of an intrepid traveller. Although this was just a taste of the valley’s cornucopia, during my weekend expedition I was lulled into loving this town and its deeply infectious, yet understated magic.
The Robertson wine valley
The Robertson wine valley is a firm favourite among wine-lovers, but there’s more to this quaint locale than meets the eye. A day spent perusing the delights the town has to offer will leave an indelible mark on your psyche — its charm is contagious. Begin your day on a hearty note at Excelsior Wine Estate’s Graze, followed by a ride to the panoramic mountain top. After retreating down the mountainside, blend and bottle your own wine at Excelsior.
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Take a leisurely joyride through the town to Esona Boutique Winery for a tasting of its premium, internationally lauded vintages — owners Rowan and Caryl Beattie and renovator Etienne Hanekom have poured themselves into every inch of the estate, including Caryl’s Deli, which offers locally sourced charcuterie platters alongside a complement of varietals to suit any palate.
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Next on the list is the well-established Jonker family’s Weltevrede Estate — the Philip Jonker Cap Classique Range makes for a particularly fine bubbly experience. Take a tour of this intimate tasting room, a cavernous underground maze, and experience timeless sensory appreciation. The candlelit romance is palpable, and certainly a must for a budding affair!
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Round up the day’s follies at the Jan Harmsgat Country House, which offers five-star accommodation with the warmest service I’ve ever encountered. This Cape Dutch guesthouse is flanked by pomegranate groves and decorated with impeccable simplicity — it’s nirvana for the weary traveller. Dinner in the restaurant is a must: what is served from the farm’s own gardens will sate even the finest of palates. And, on the following morning, a tour through the farm’s pomegranate orchards, fresh juice included, is an excellent panacea for the previous day’s overindulgences. For a customised Robertson experience, Hot Oven Marketing can be relied on to cater to the desires of an intrepid traveller. Although this was just a taste of the valley’s cornucopia, during my weekend expedition I was lulled into loving this town and its deeply infectious, yet understated magic.
Image: Supplied
excelsior.co.za; esona.co.za; janharmsgat.com; weltevrede.com