Home » Discover South Africa’s Newest Wine Route…

Discover South Africa’s Newest Wine Route…

South Africa’s 21st wine route has just been launched…and it’s quite spectacular, with so much more than just wonderful wine. Less than two hours out of Cape Town, the Stanford Wine Route in the Western Province is perfect for a day out… or even a relaxing weekend. It’s such a beautiful part of the world where […]

By SAPeople
11-10-15 15:18
in Fab South African Stuff

South Africa’s 21st wine route has just been launched…and it’s quite spectacular, with so much more than just wonderful wine. Less than two hours out of Cape Town, the Stanford Wine Route in the Western Province is perfect for a day out…

Chenin Blanc vines on Springfontein Wines
Chenin Blanc vines on Springfontein Wines
Stanford, Western Cape
Stanford, Western Cape – “May your day be filled with miraculous possibilities.”

or even a relaxing weekend.

Peter Kastner, winemaker at Stanford Hills lighting the evening bonfire.
Peter Kastner, winemaker at Stanford Hills lighting the evening bonfire.

It’s such a beautiful part of the world where they are producing excellent wines (and beer!) and there is even a Stookhuis making grappa and schnapps.

Walker Bay Vineyards
Walker Bay Vineyards
Boschrivier Wines - a great Cabernet and a fresh and fruity Rose
Boschrivier Wines – a great Cabernet and a fresh and fruity Rose

Add a cheesery…

The Cheese Shop at Klein Rivier Cheese Farm Stanford
The Cheese Shop at Klein Rivier Cheese Farm Stanford

wild cat sanctury…

Hanging out at Panthera Africa
Hanging out at Panthera Africa

Don Gelato…(where I loved the quote: “Without Ice Cream, there would be darkness and chaos”)

Don Gelato Stanford
Don Gelato Stanford

a winemaker whose passion is frogs…

Vaalvlei looking towards Hermanus, where you'll find ''Oom Naas" talking about his beloved frogs
Vaalvlei looking towards Hermanus, where if you’re lucky you’ll find ”Oom Naas” talking about his beloved frogs

and you have South Africa’s 21st Wine Route! Stanford.

The dam and wine tasting experience at Sir Robert Stanford Estate looking down on the village of Stanford, Western Cape
The dam and wine tasting experience at Sir Robert Stanford Estate looking down on the village of Stanford, Western Cape

It’s a small wine route with great and inexpensive places to stay.

Vineyards Stanford Wine Route
Vineyards Stanford Wine Route

It is such a lovely part of the world, and the farms are so special in their own way; not just about wine!

The African Queen - a perfect way to enjoy the sunset and a glass of wine on the river.
The African Queen – a perfect way to enjoy the sunset and a glass of wine on the river.
The view from The African Queen
The view from The African Queen
Jorika Dreyer of Raka executes a perfect sabrage!
Jorika Dreyer of Raka executes a perfect sabrage!

The one wine farmer is the leading South African boffin on frogs and has 13 different species on his farm and just loves talking about them.

Vaalvlei where, if you are lucky you can get ''Oom Naas" talking about his beloved frogs and you can learn their calls as well as taste wine and amazing Port.
Vaalvlei where, if you are lucky you can get ”Oom Naas” talking about his beloved frogs and you can learn their calls as well as taste wine and amazing Port.

Another owner used to be a Fisherman and slowly worked his way up from one boat which he used to make his living off from the age of 16 when he had to support his folks to then having a fleet of boats and now a wine farm, and his analogies about wine farming and fishing make for lazy afternoons around his tasting room table.

The Tasting Room, serving Organic breakfasts and lunches. The Moroccan lamb just melted in your mouth.
The Tasting Room, serving Organic breakfasts and lunches. The Moroccan lamb just melted in your mouth.

Another has it’s own recognised species of Leucospernum which is a hybrid and ‘created’ itself, for want of a better word, after the fires in 2000.

The Tasting Room at Stanford Hills Estate. The home of fine red wine and the hybrid Leukospermum (Pincushion Protea) called Veldfire.
The Tasting Room at Stanford Hills Estate. The home of fine red wine and the hybrid Leukospermum (Pincushion Protea) called Veldfire.
Springfontein Wine
Springfontein Wine

Another has a natural spring on and produces world quality water as well as wine and another has a Stookhuis – a bootleg distillery – where they make fruit schnapps.

The cellar Misty Mountains Estate
The cellar Misty Mountains Estate

One has a dam which has masses of pairs of blue-cranes which you can go and watch and listen to.

Boschrivier Wines home to many pairs of blue cranes, incredible scenery and great wine.
Boschrivier Wines home to many pairs of blue cranes, incredible scenery and great wine.
Relaxing tasting at RAKA WINE. If you can get Piet Dreyer to tell you some of his stories, you will be spellbound. Award winning wines and a very rare Erica Shanonnea.
Relaxing tasting at RAKA WINE. If you can get Piet Dreyer to tell you some of his stories, you will be spellbound. Award winning wines and a very rare Erica Shanonnea.

Another is quite spectacular with a real power couple running it and they have a German Michelin starred couple running the restaurant.

Springfontein Eats - home grown and foraged vegetables and locally sourced meat beautifully cooked and presented by Michelin chef Susanne Schneider
Springfontein Eats – home grown and foraged vegetables and locally sourced meat beautifully cooked and presented by Michelin chef Susanne Schneider

And the last is the only wine and beer makers and taster in the Southern hemisphere!!

Birkenhead Estate And Brewery
Birkenhead Estate And Brewery

It is South Africa’s latest Wine Route. They all work so hard out there and it is very beautiful. I am sorry the weather was not better when we were there – I can just imagine the shots we could have got!!

The Winemakers of the region.
The Winemakers of the region.

P.S. Happy International Pinotage Day! It’s unique to South Africa and our flagship red wine!

MORE INFO

ANGELA GORMAN: www.agormanphotography.com, www.agormanevents.com
Stanford Wine Route