Winelands Explore Socials

Join me on my exciting adventures through the winelands with tips that will help you enjoy your winelands experience to the full.

winelandsexplore

🌄 In the Breedekloof Wine Valley, nestled at th

🌄 In the Breedekloof Wine Valley, nestled at the foot of the Drakenstein and Hex River Mountains, with vines fed by water from mountain streams, is where you will find Bergsig Wine Estate. The Lategan family has owned the land and produced wines here since 1843, and almost 200 years and seven generations later, they are still going strong.

🍷 My recent visit to Bergsig with all its history and tradition, was beautiful and relaxing. Seated outside with a view of the surrounding mountains, I tasted through 4 of their Flagship wines.
@bergsigestate has different tasting options including many pairings such as a meatball & wine pairing, springroll & wine pairing and even a chocolate soup & wine pairing.

🍽 Their charming country-style bistro provides a laid-back dining experience, featuring a cozy fireplace indoors for the winter months and a lovely outdoor terrace for summer. There's also a small play area outside with a couple of jungle gyms for the kids to enjoy.

🛏 For a lovely winelands escape, Bergsig has a three-bedroom guesthouse on the estate, which accommodates up to six guests. Known as Die Kelderhuis, it offers beautiful views of the vineyards, making me eager to return for a night or two.

What I learnt….The Bergsig Mountain Bike Route starts and ends at the tasting room and offers a 13-kilometer circular route with a total ascent of 270meters. The route winds its way through vineyards and fynbos covered mountain slopes with a variety of single and Jeep tracks.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

🥂 ✨️ Immerse yourself in a calming and tran

🥂 ✨️ Immerse yourself in a calming and transformative sound journey designed to relax, heal, and elevate your senses. Let the vibrations of crystal singing bowls wash over you, while taking you on a peaceful and restorative journey.

After the experience, indulge in a glass of bubbles as you unwind and enjoy tasty pastries that melt in your mouth.
Join me for an experience that transcends the ordinary and elevates the spirit.

Date: Saturday 12 April
Time: Sound Bath starts at 9am, followed by pastries and bubbles
Location: Mayfair House, Bright Street
Cost: R330 per person. Limited spaces available!
Dress Code: Relaxed and comfortable. Please bring a blanket. There are mats, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Please book by emailing nicola@winelandsexplore.com

I look forward to sharing this magical experience with you!

Cheers to sound, sparkle, and serenity! ✨🍾🎶

🦪 🥂 This is not your average oyster adventur

🦪 🥂 This is not your average oyster adventure, but rather a culinary journey with Cavalli’s Oyster & Wine Pairing experience!

Unspoilt panoramic views, a lush garden setting surrounding the deck and beautiful summer weather set the tone for the day. I joined @thewinegirlcapetown for a catch up and a food sensation!

We had four oysters paired with Cavalli wines:
✨️ Cap Classique with Tempura & Mebos

✨️ Reserve Chenin Blanc with Litchi & Cucumber Pickle

✨️ Reserve White with Fynbos Mignonette

✨️ Chardonnay with Pineapple & Citrus

The flavours were diverse and unique, and beautifully paired with the wines. Top it off with a cheese board and great company to having a winner of a day!!

Have a winederful day! 🥂

🇮🇹 🍷 🇿🇦 Fancy a slice of Italy in S

🇮🇹 🍷 🇿🇦 Fancy a slice of Italy in Somerset West, where you can indulge in delicious food and some of the best wines in this area, then @capelands.cr1 needs to be your next stop. Johann and Lara invited us in with true Italian hospitality, where the rustic charm and breathtaking views offer a unique experience.

This 12.5-hectare farm nestled into the mountain on the outskirts of Somerset West, is home to founder Johann Innerhofer who uses his four decades of winemaking experience from abroad to bring the wines to life. This hidden gem captures the essence of Italian winemaking in the heart of this region.
The Whitestone collection includes a Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Viognier that are sourced from carefully selected Western Cape plots.
Then the Redstone collection is crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, all grown on their dryland vineyards on the farm.

🍽 Apart from crafting wines of exceptional quality, Capelands is home to authentic Italian cuisine, such as homemade pastas and pizzas to name a few.
Pair this with a gorgeous view and you have a winner. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for dinner and lunch on the weekends. For the out-of-towners, there is also a private country suite or cottage with rustic charm right there on the farm.

Thank you to @capelands_wine_farm and @onthemarquepr for this lovely invitation to experience truly exceptional wines, delicious food and wonderful hospitality right on our doorstep.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

✨️ Ataraxia is Greek for “a serene state of

✨️ Ataraxia is Greek for “a serene state of mind, free from worry and preoccupation”, and this is exactly how you feel when relaxing for a wine tasting at this beautiful space.
Sitting pretty on top of a hill in the Hemel-en-Aarde wine region, this chapel-looking wine lounge offers gorgeous views of the surrounding vineyards, mountains and valley below.

Ataraxia, or The Skyfiels Farm is a 47-hectare property, owned by Kevin and Hanli Grant. This unique terroir has fourteen soil types including Table Mountain Sandstone, Cape Granite and Bokkeveld Shale, making this some of the most ancient soils on Earth. These soils dictate what wines are made, and result in four wines, those being Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a red blend.

Their wine lounge offers a relaxed and pretty space with various lounge pockets and tables inside the chapel. The big windows let the gorgeous vista in, as you taste through the different ranges.
Unfortunately, no food or platters so factor that in on your travels. Child friendly but not much for them to do.

What I learnt…..before or after your tasting be sure to ring the bell at the top of the chapel! See the last video for inspo 🔔

Have a winederful day! 🥂

⭐️🍷⭐️ Have you ever wanted to become a

⭐️🍷⭐️ Have you ever wanted to become a wine maker for the day? Well….I did, and Middelvlei made it happen!
This fun and unique experience is offered by the Momberg Family at Middelvlei Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, allowing one to create a personalised bottle of wine to take home.

Upon arrival, I got a blending kit of 3 different wines (a Pinotage, a Shiraz and a Merlot) to combine in various percentages until the perfect blend is achieved.
After a few tries, I settled on a 60% Pinotage, 30% Shiraz and 10% Merlot – something quite different. The blending kit also comes with 2 dropper bottles of flavour additives. A clear liquid of concentrated grape sugar to soften the blend and enhance the fruit characteristics. The dark liquid is concentrated wood or liquid tannins and helps give flavour of ageing the wine, giving it a smoother finish and bringing in the wooded tones of vanilla and smoke.

Once happy with the blend and in its bottle, it was off to close it with a genuine cork! My new wine then received its foil and label with my personalised name of choice.
Watch out John Platter….we have a new winemaker in the Cape 😉

🍽 After this must-do Winelands activity, I enjoyed their famous South African Boerebraai lunch. Their resident braai expert prepares the various meats, which are accompanied by Ouma Annie’s pumpkin fritters, braaibroodjies and potato salad. All in all, a truly authentic South African experience.

Thank you so much to @middelvlei_wine and @onthemarquepr for this awesome experience. I would really recommend that you give this farm a visit (super child friendly as well with lawn games, animals to feed, kiddies menu and juice tasting).

Have a winederful day! 🥂

🩷 Nuy Wine Cellar has launched its first-ever P

🩷 Nuy Wine Cellar has launched its first-ever Perlé wine, the Nuy Winery Rosé Moscato Perlé, accompanied by a vibrant new look for its Inspiration range. This is a versatile wine that is perfect for various occasions with its delicate pink hue and fine dancing bubbles.

🩷 Whether as an apéritif or paired with light summer salads, chicken dishes or charcuterie boards. For adventurous palates, it complements mild curries beautifully. Its semi-sweet nature also makes it an excellent partner for brunch or desserts.

🩷 Nuy’s Cellar Master, Christo Basson, describes this Rosé Moscato Perlé as “a wine that embodies summer in a glass”.
He goes on to describe it as delivering a “semi-sweet palate with layers of flavour: rose petals, white Turkish delight, and refreshing hints of lemon and elderflower. Notes of litchi and soft, ripe prunes add depth and intrigue, while the gentle fizz rounds off a crisp and clean finish”.

🩷 The Inspiration range features a striking new design, with the ‘suikerbekkie’ (sunbird) on the label. These tiny birds are part of Nuy’s natural heritage and this label pays tribute to the hundreds of sunbirds that call Nuy home. The 2024 Nuy Winery Rosé Moscato Perlé is available online at www.nuywinery.co.za

🩷 Thank you to @nuywinery for sending me this vibrant new wine to sample. Cheers to summer in a glass!

Have a winederful day! 🥂

💎 Having driven past this farm hundreds of time

💎 Having driven past this farm hundreds of times, and always wanting to stop in, I am so glad that we did! Villion Family Wines in the Bot River wine route is focused on premium wine production and get their grapes from various wards to use the strength of the terroir and fruit to create unique styles of wine.

Kobie Viljoen is the winemaker, along with his lovely wife Elnette run the family business with pride and love. Their current location has a rustic and pretty outside section with long vines trailing over the space. There are both their Premium wines and Lifestyle range to taste through in a relaxed setting.
They are in the process of moving their tasting room to a new location in Bot River and I look forward to visiting them there too. Currently there is no restaurant or platters so factor that in on your travels.

What I learnt….Villion’s Lifestyle Wines have taken on 6 different pirate personas to call themselves “Die Seerowers” due to the maritime origin. This humours tweak on different wines shows the Viljoen’s fun side and love for quirky Afrikaans language.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

💫 Start 2025 on a high note with our inaugural Wine First Thursday of the year! Enjoy a delicious meal while discovering new wines or enjoying old favourites. Grab your friends and join us for an unforgettable evening of wine tasting and fun!

🍷 Eikendal Wine Estate, situated in the “Golden Triangle” with its distinctive towering fountain, is a landmark on the R44 between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. Eikendal blends modern viticulture with Old World winemaking to produce some of the Cape’s finest wines.

Tickets via Quicket, with limited availability!

Don’t miss out on this unique experience to taste some of the best wines in the region and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or just looking to have a good time, this event is perfect for everyone.

✅️ Zandvliet Wine Estate lies on the outskirts

⛵️ 🍷 Wine tasting and a river meander – h

⛵️ 🍷 Wine tasting and a river meander – how wonderful!

Hugging the banks of the Breede River is @viljoensdrift , with a heritage of winemaking that dates back to 1818. Five generations of Viljoens have produced wines here and today brothers Fred and Manie Viljoen carry this proud tradition on.

🍷 This wine tasting is a little different, as you can experience a relaxing boat trip on the peaceful waters of the Breede River before or after.
The deli is jammed packed with all sorts of goodies to create a gourmet picnic, grab a bottle of wine and you are all set for your cruise on the flat-bottomed river boat affectionately named Uncle Ben 2.
The boat cruise lasts 50 minutes and departs daily on the hour. Bookings are essential as it fills up very quickly.

🍷 The Viljoensdrift team create 3 different wine ranges to appeal to a diverse wine audience, and most of them at very affordable prices. These include the Cellarmaster’s Selection, their Flagship River Grandeur or the easy-drinking Viljoensdrift Range.

🍷There is a tasting area inside, but the outside deck that overlooks the river was ideal for me to taste through any 4 wines for only R40. A very relaxed and unhurried tasting, either before or after your cruise.

🐶 Both children and dogs are welcome at the farm as well as on the boat. Bear, my Frenchie, had a ball watching the waves and various birds flying alongside the boat.

What I learnt…..Besides wine making, the Viljoen family spends a significant amount of time and energy on their fruit production, including apricots and peaches, grown mainly for canning purposes.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

✅️ One of the oldest family-owned wine estates

✅️ One of the oldest family-owned wine estates is South Africa and among the initial farms founded in the scenic Robertson Wine Valley is Rietvallei Wine Estate.
Located approximately 160 kilometres northeast of Cape Town, @rietvalleiwines lies in the Klaas Voogds ward with 215 hectares in total and 119 under vine.

🍷 The crisp clean Karoo air and well drained soils rick in lime, are ideal for wine growing. Rietvallei is a predominantly white cultivar estate of 75% and their reds making up the 25%.
With three tasting options available to sample their Premium Selection, Classic Selection or John B range, you get a lovely dip into what is all on offer.
I sat outside on the undercover patio, but there are various inside sections if the weather is bad.

🍽 No restaurant available, but they do offer one of the biggest cheese and charcuterie platters I have ever had before. It was jammed packed with all sorts of cold meats, various cheeses, biscuits & breads, fresh fruit, preserves and lovely sauces/jams to bring it all together.

Child friendly but not too much for them to do, although plenty of grass to kick a ball etc.

What I learnt….. In 2024, @rietvalleiwines proudly marked a significant achievement as it became one of the few South African wine estates to celebrate 160 years of continuous family ownership. Six generations of the Burger family, with Kobus Burger as the current CEO and winemaker.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

🍾🥂 Set against a breathtaking winelands back

🍾🥂 Set against a breathtaking winelands backdrop, my Bubbles & Brunch experience is designed to be indulgent and memorable. Surrounded by elegant décor, time with friends and a glass of bubbles in hand as you relax and enjoy a leisurely feast.

✨️ If you are celebrating a birthday, engagement, bridal shower or gender reveal, it is an ideal choice whether a smaller get-together with friends or a lively celebration. The versatility of this event is endless, as is the venue and menu.

✨️ My selection of venues are ideal to create the atmosphere you seek and make it extra special for you and your guests.

Allow me to curate your perfect Bubbles & Brunch experience, so you can relax and enjoy the celebration with a touch of elegance, fun and lasting memories.

To find out more or book your next celebration, please email me on nicola@winelandsexplore.com

Have a winederful day! 🥂

📽 @cobaphotography.co.za

😍 When in Franschhoek, a visit to Backsberg Fa

😍 When in Franschhoek, a visit to Backsberg Family Wines is a must!

Backsberg found their forever home in 2021 when they relocated to Franschhoek, with their beautiful tasting room overlooking the Mont Rochelle mountains and Franschhoek valley.

The outside area is fabulous with spectacular views and different seating pockets to relax and enjoy a tasting. Lawn games like giant Jenga and crochet can keep both children and adults busy. The cool and relaxed inside areas are just as gorgeous with colourful design elements and a warm fireplace for winter.

🍷 There are 4 tastings available and some very interesting pairings as well.  Things like a traditional Lithuanian curd cheese doughnut with a berry coulis, paired with the Ella Pinotage.  Or you can try the South African-inspired milk tart chocolate truffle enrobed in almonds, paired with the Plum Valley Merlot.

Backsberg is one of the few producers who make Kosher wines.  Their Unorthodox Kosher wine range and the Sydney Back Kosher range celebrate the Lithuanian Jewish roots of the Back family.  These wines are made under the auspices of the Cape Town Beth Din and the OU of the United States, making these wines vegan, Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.

🍽 A small menu of salads and sandwich options to complement your wines, as well as a delicious cheese or grazing platter. Think tasty preserves, patés, breads, various cold meats, different cheeses and fruit to round off the tasting experience.

A big thank you to the Back family and their wonderful team, for inviting me to experience warm hospitality and excellent wines.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

💫 Wrapping up 2024 as we approach the new year!

💫 Wrapping up 2024 as we approach the new year!!

Wishing my wine family an excellent 2025 filled with abundance, kindness, unforgettable memories and fantastic wines 🍷

Thank you for being a part of my journey!

Have a winederful day! 🥂

#winelandsexplore #winetime #winelife #winetasting #winefarmreviews #winefarmsofcapetown #winefarmsofwesterncape #winelover #winestagram #winesofinstagram #winefarmdestination #winelifestyle #wineloversofinstagram #winesofinstagram #worldwinemoments #capetownlikes #winetourism #exploringwinefarms #exploringwineregions #exploringsouthafrica
#happy2025 #cheersto2025 #nodrama #2024 #2025

🐷 🍷 Pigcasso Part 2 - The Wine Tasting Thi

🐷 🍷 Pigcasso Part 2 - The Wine Tasting

This is not my average wine tasting visit, so get ready for something unconventional and exciting! Located in the gorgeous Franschhoek Valley, is the Farm Sanctuary SA and home to the famous Pigcasso. A sanctuary and slice of Hog Heaven that also offers wine tastings – have you ever?!

As you walk through the property and into the massive barn that houses the tasting, the Oink Gallery and a few four-legged friends, you are overcome by the passion and beauty of this unique space that aims to question traditional views on art, sparking discussions about what art really means. They're also shining a light on the negative impact of animal farming on both animals and the planet, all in hopes of encouraging a more compassionate and sustainable future. Pigcasso and Joanne Lefson are the first human and non-human art collaboration of all kind.

Visitors are welcome to walk around the space and mingle or feed the animals that are super friendly and always open to a snack. Think goats, enormous pigs, peacocks, chickens and sheep. Take a seat in amongst this bunch or sit in the barn for a relaxed tasting of the ‘Swine’s Wine’.
Four wines are available and made by nearby farm Glenwood. The Pigcasso BLACK is a Pinon Noir and the Pigcasso WHITE is a Sauvignon Blanc. Then the Pigcasso RED blend and a pretty pink Pigcasso ROSE.

There are various juices, coffee and waters with a few packets of nibbles available, but currently no food. There is no admission fee, except a cost to buy food for feeding the farm animals and they are open 7 days a week from 11am to 4pm.

What I learnt…..if you are looking for extraordinary accommodation ‘long after the cows have come home and want to count sheep no further’ then Farm Sanctuary SA provides three unique accommodation choices, each designed to inspire.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

🧑👱 Predominantly a red wine producing boutiq

🧑👱 Predominantly a red wine producing boutique wine farm in Simonsberg foothills, within the Stellenbosch region is the lovely Deux Frères Wines. Founded in 2008 by brothers Retief and Stephan du Toit as they continued the heritage as a “wine family” left to them by their mother and stepfather.

🍷 Tastings are by appointment only, and upon arrival at this quiet and relaxed farm, you will be greeted by 3 friendly Weimaraners and ushered inside. Boasting both a stylish and quint inside area, as well as a garden patio section to do the tasting, we opted for a table next to the fountain and one of the many Johan Steyn sculptures that adorn the property.

They offer a variety of wines, including a certified old vine Sauvignon Blanc, a Mourvèdre and various red blends.
🍽 Charcuterie platters are available with prior booking, and no restaurant so factor that in on your travels. Child friendly but not much for them to do, so perhaps more of an adult adventure.

🛏 The @deuxfrereswines villas offer expansive, tasteful winelands accommodation surrounded by a lush green garden. Serene and tranquil with large, windowed conservatory-style verandas and a crystal blue pool for the hot Summer days.

What I learnt…..Deux Frères is a French phrase that means ‘two brothers’ and is very apt for this family run wine farm.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

✨️✨️ It's happened to all of us—enjoying

✨️ Fancy an enchanting dinner experience under

✨️ Fancy an enchanting dinner experience under the stars on a warm Summer's evening. Surrounded by olive groves or nestled within the vineyards and bathed in the soft shimmer of twinkling fairy lights, I can create the ideal event to dine alfresco style.

✨️ You decide the format, whether dinner or wine-paired dinner, entertainment or al-natural, I will curate something truly magical for you and your guests. The choice of venue is entirely up to you as we can host the event at your home or at a beautiful wine estate.

✨️ Get in touch to chat about creating these and other events with me.

✨️ I look forward to magical sunsets, exquisite food and wine and unique events to remember.

Have a winederful day! 🥂

✨️ A toast to Summer and the festive season wi

✨️ A toast to Summer and the festive season with the new Vergenoegd Löw Sauvignon Blanc 2024.

This cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from vineyards near the False Bay coastline offers a vibrant mix of gooseberry aromas and flavours, underscored by creamy complexity and a lemony lift.
It’s the perfect sip for summer celebrations! If it’s a poolside day, braai with friends or festive celebration, this Sauvignon Blanc has all the Summer feels.

In true Advent spirit, they are hosting soul-stirring concerts every Sunday before Christmas at the beautifully decorated chapel from 16:00 – 19:30.
🎫 Tickets are R650 (incl. live music, food & a welcome drink). Each concert is followed by a delightful feast, promising festive cheer for all. Visit the Vergenoegd Löw website to book.

The lineup and dates are:
⭐️ Hope: Dec 1 - Brittany Smith (Cape Town Opera soloist) & Seung-Ree Lee (piano)
⭐️ Peace: Dec 8 - Khayelitsha Youth Choir
⭐️ Joy: Dec 15 - The Wildflower Trio
⭐️ Love: Dec 22 - Isibane se Afrika Choir

Have a winederful day! 🥂

Load More… Follow on Instagram