Getting My Hands Dirty at the Robertson Wine Valley

“Do you catch that?” my buddy asked once we saw the sign welcoming us to the Robertson Wine Valley. “Yeah,” I replied, “that’s the unmistakable scent of wine. We’re definitely in the right spot.” We both laughed, leaned out of the car window, and took a long, satisfying inhale. Our adventure at the Hands on Harvest weekend in Robertson was off to an amazing beginning.

When I visited Klipdrift, our first destination, they showed us a fascinating video about the farm’s history and explained why the Klipdrift brandy bottles all have a clock on them. It turns out, the time on the clock represents the exact moment when JP Marais distilled his very first brandy. Nobody knows for sure if it was in the morning or the night, but that was the time he recorded in his diary. Isn’t it amazing how much meaning can be packed into a simple label?

After the video, we were taken on a tour of the distillery. Before entering, we had to lock up our bags in a cupboard. You see, cellphones, lighters, and cameras are not allowed inside because they can catch fire and cause dangerous accidents. We definitely didn’t want to risk blowing ourselves up in brandy! Even though some people might think it’s a unique way to go.

I gotta tell you, these guys have some seriously massive steel tanks. We’re talking up to 18,000 liters of pure brandy! And get this – when they need to transport it, they use unmarked tanks. Can you believe it? It’s all to avoid any fancy-pants brandy thieves trying to swipe their precious cargo. I couldn’t help but look at that sunflower oil tank we passed on the way and wonder if it was secretly filled with liquid gold.

But then, things took a wild turn. We ventured into the cellar, where they store the brandy barrels. Now, these folks have a thing for French oak. Apparently, it’s the only type of wood that’ll do the trick. And get this – they let it cure naturally under the warm, sunny skies. I couldn’t help but feel a bit lightheaded in there. Turns out, that evaporation from the barrels has a name – “the angels share.” Can you believe it? Even in Heaven, they’re enjoying a little sip of the good stuff!

So, here’s what went down: we took a tour and afterward, we got to do a seriously sophisticated brandy tasting. I’m talking about going through all the steps, from the base wine to the heart, and trying out the three different kinds of brandy made by Klipdrift. And, get this, they even paired the tastes with mouth-watering treats, both savory and sweet. Let me tell you, they nailed it with their food choices – everything was absolutely delicious. Oh, and the best part? They were kind enough to share the recipes for the marinades they used. You better believe I’m going to try making those at home, while sipping on a glass of Klipdrift Gold. Yum!

After the tasting, it was time for lunch. I couldn’t resist going for the Klitdrift Burger – and let me just say, it was beyond divine. My friend, on the other hand, went for the biltong salad and was equally satisfied. But wait, lunch wasn’t just about the food. Nope, they also served us mini versions of four different brandy cocktails to accompany our meal. Talk about a tasty adventure!

As if that wasn’t enough, we left the place armed with a small bottle of Klipdrift that had been lovingly made from their very own vineyard. And guess what? Our next stop was all about champagne making! I know, life doesn’t get much better than this, right? Anyway, if you want to check out Klipdrift for yourself, give them a call at 023-626-3027 or visit their website at www.klipdrift.co.za. Trust me, it’s worth it!

When I visited Weltevrede Estate, our goal was to make our own champagne using a bottle that had been sitting in their underground cellar for five years. Let me tell you, it was quite the adventure! With a burst of energy and excitement, we all got to work “disgorging” our bottles. I couldn’t believe that the pressure inside the bottle was five times that of a car tire! It definitely added some thrill to the process.

Adding sugar, inserting the cork, and labeling the bottle turned out to be quite the challenge. It wasn’t as easy as it looked! Thankfully, Phillip Jonker was there to guide us through each stage. He shared his expertise and made sure that our creations were just right. To top it off, he even added a personal message on each bottle. It made it all feel more special and unique.

The best part? In just half an hour, we had our very own five-year-old Brut Entheos. It was a proud moment, knowing that we had crafted it ourselves. And to make the experience even better, we had the opportunity to meet the esteemed and oh-so-talented winemaker, Phillip Jonker himself. It was a delight to have a chance to chat with him and learn from his wealth of knowledge.

If you’re looking for a hands-on and personal experience in winemaking, I highly recommend visiting Weltevrede Estate. It’s an unforgettable adventure that you won’t want to miss. Give them a call at 023-616-2141 or visit their website at www.weltevrede.com.

I headed back to our temporary home to freshen up before our last activity of the day. The Lemon Tree Guesthouse on Kerk Street is absolutely charming and has a gorgeous garden teeming with birds during the day and croaking frogs at night. It was quite amusing to discover that we were booked into the “honeymoon suite,” but we were more than happy with the delightful Victorian bathtub that came with it. Just keep in mind that the bathtub is in the bedroom, so if you choose the honeymoon suite, make sure you’re either on your honeymoon or still feel that way.

The owner, Corieda, really makes you feel at home, creating a laid-back country atmosphere. She even gives you a key to the main house so you can use the lounge whenever you please. And I have to confess, I couldn’t resist sneaking into their kitchen for a quick raid (we needed more teabags and milk). But Corieda didn’t mind at all. And neither did her dog, who strolled over, gave me a little sniff, and then went back to his cozy bed after receiving a friendly pat on the head.

That “mi casa, su casa” feeling definitely permeates this place, and it’s truly rejuvenating. You can reach them at 023-626-1384 or visit their website at www.lemontreehouse.co.za.

That evening, I had a great time hanging out with the Spit or Swallow duo at the Harvest Moon Soiree at Wolfkloof Boutique Winery, which is just a quick ten-minute drive from the Lemon Tree Guesthouse. I had this idea of us sitting on the grass, enjoying a picnic and listening to someone playing the guitar under the moonlight. But it turned out to be a lively restaurant atmosphere, with tables instead of blankets. Our picnic baskets were swapped for big brown packets filled with delicious treats like quiche, samosas, salami, cheese and pesto sandwiches, and even some cookies for dessert.

The Jo Martin Band got everyone grooving with their awesome covers, ranging from Pink Floyd to Rodriguez. And to top off the night with a bang, there was a spectacular fireworks display. My friend was having such a blast that she didn’t want to leave. Apparently, they host these “soirees” pretty regularly, so if you happen to be in town when one is happening, I highly suggest you check it out. The view of the sparkling lights of Robertson below, with the vineyards spanning out in front, is worth it alone. Give them a call at 023 626 3911 or visit their website at www.wolfkloof.co.za.

The next morning, I woke up bright and early to go on a walk through the vineyards at Nerina Guest Farm, where they make Burcon Wines. It turned out that this wasn’t just a walk through the vineyards; it was a hike up a mountain to get a panoramic view of the beautiful vineyards! It wasn’t too challenging, though. We strolled along a farm road with the friendly farm dogs leading the way. Okay, I admit, I huffed and puffed a little, especially since I foolishly wore flip-flops. But the view was totally worth it.

From the top of the hill, we had an incredible sight of the surrounding farms. It was absolutely breathtaking. And to make the experience even better, we were treated to a delicious glass of Merlot. Can you believe it was only 8 o’clock in the morning? Talk about a fantastic way to start the day!

While we enjoyed our wine, our host, Renee, entertained us with some fascinating stories about her family and the local farmers. One story that really made me laugh was about the woman on their Muskadel wine box. She was looking quite content and, shall we say, well-endowed. As it turns out, Renee told us, if you have a bottle of Muskadel and a willing woman, you don’t need heaven. They even offer Muskadel in a two-liter box, so you can extend your heavenly experience a little longer!

Imagine waking up to the gentle sway of the boat, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the promise of a hearty breakfast. That’s exactly what I experienced on the Breede River. As I watched Renee skillfully navigate the waters, my dogs curled up at my feet, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of our surroundings.

And then came the feast. Picture this: roosterkoek sizzling on the grill, succulent meatballs, a selection of cheeses, perfectly poached eggs nestled in a tomato relish, and a mouthwatering quiche. All served with refreshing orange juice and a strong cup of coffee to wake us up.

But the pièce de résistance was the homemade melktart, a traditional Afrikaans dessert. I have to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of melktart, but this one was different. The creamy custard, the delicate crust… it was pure bliss.

As we indulged in our breakfast, we waved at fellow campers on the riverbank, marveling at the joyful commotion of children playing in dinghies. We watched with admiration as rowers glided across the glistening water, their oars slicing through the surface. Meanwhile, determined fishermen cast their lines, hoping for a bass to bite.

The sun bathed everything in a warm glow, filling our hearts with contentment. Our bellies were satiated, our spirits lifted. It was a truly sublime experience.

Renee offers these river cruises all year round, serving up breakfast and lunch to eager guests. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this. But make sure you book in advance, as these cruises are popular.

And if horse-riding is more your thing, they also offer exhilarating rides through the vineyards and up the mountains. It’s the perfect way to explore the breathtaking landscape of the area.

To book your adventure, give them a call at 023-626-2012 or visit their website at www.nerinaguestfarm.com. Don’t let this incredible opportunity pass you by.

Hey there! So, me and my buddies were exploring the town center, just taking it easy and having a great time. Eventually, we made our way to Ashton Kelder, and let me tell you, it was the perfect place for us and the kids. They had this awesome jumping castle, and I saw a little boy sipping grape juice from his very own wine glass – too cute! It made him feel all grown up, I’m sure!

But here’s the thing, we missed out on the grape stomping. By the time we arrived, the grapes were already squished into a mushy pulp. I wasn’t about to climb into the barrel with that mess! Lesson learned: next time, arrive early enough to squish some grapes between our toes!

Don’t worry, though, we didn’t leave disappointed. We had an incredible wine tasting experience paired with a delicious tapas platter. Oh man, the food was out of this world! We devoured scrumptious fried mushroom risotto balls paired with Pinotage, and herb crumbed aioli paired with Chardonnay. We also indulged in sweet chilli chicken sosaties with Satynperlé, pita triangles with cheddar and pesto with Cabernet Sauvignon, and boerewors in a sweet tomato smoor paired with Shiraz. Trust me when I say, there wasn’t a single crumb or drop of wine left when we were done!

We were so impressed with the experience that we each bought two bottles of wine before they packed up the jumping castle and closed for the day at 15h00. And get this, the tapas platters only cost R30 for three or R50 for five! I really hope they keep doing this, even after the Hands on Harvest event. It was such a blast!

If you’re interested, you can give them a call at 023-615-1135 or visit their website at www.ashtoncellar.co.za. Enjoy!

So, there I was, spending the night at Jan Harmsgat Country House – a fancy place located on the R60 between Ashton and Swellendam. This farm has been around since way back in 1723, and now it’s all about luxury accommodation. You can choose between plush rooms or more standard ones in the original slave quarters. Oh, and they do more than just provide a place to sleep! They also have their own vineyards where they grow grapes and make wine. Plus, there are over a thousand pecan nut trees, not to mention orange, fig, olive, and pomegranate trees. And that’s not all! Next door, at Laastewater, you can spot some cool wildlife like wildebeest, springbok, grey rheebuck, and ostriches.

As soon as we walked into the reception area, a pack of friendly dogs came bounding up to us, followed by the new owner of the farm, the super-charismatic Willie Malherbe. He introduced us to his beloved family of animals – Piston, who had grape juice all over his furry back from his vineyard adventures, Daisy, Buttercup, and Dale, who also answers to Donkey (it’s a long story involving a dog whisperer). That warm welcome instantly made us feel like we were stepping into the cozy home of an old buddy.

But unlike our friends’ homes, our luxury room at Van Eeden House was unbelievably fancy. Each of us had our own cozy suite with a connecting door, complete with a king-size bed, beautiful stand-alone bathtubs (mine was the fancy Victorian kind), spacious showers with huge showerheads, a TV with a few selected channels, tea and coffee, a mini-fridge stocked with snacks. It was a dream come true! The room had fancy mirrors, double sinks, soft white towels and washcloths, comfy robes, adjustable lights, elegant chandeliers, and my personal favorite, a cute little duck-shaped container filled with bath salts. And outside, there were comfy chairs under shady trees, and just around the corner, a bountiful vegetable garden that they used for their restaurant. We couldn’t believe our luck! We helped ourselves to a sherry, kicked back, and relaxed before heading to the restaurant. Could this weekend possibly get any better?

Willie came and joined us at the restaurant for a cocktail. We had a great time listening to his amusing tales and giving him a quick tour of the grounds. After that, we were left to enjoy our evening of delicious food and wine.

We had five amazing courses filled with mouthwatering dishes. We started with Sauvignon Blanc Grape Gazpacho, followed by a Grilled Duck salad with the farm’s Ruby Cabernet grapes and pomegranate vinegarette. Then we had a grilled kudu fillet served with Shiraz reduction, caramalised onions, butternut, mash potato, and a trio of vegetables.

We couldn’t resist trying the farm’s cheese platter with their delicious preserves, roasted pecans, and biscuits. And for dessert, we had white wine poached pears with homemade vanilla ice-cream.

To complement our meal, we enjoyed a selection of Jan Harmsgat’s wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Blanc de Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Viognier.

After all the indulgence, we finally called it a night well past 22h00. We rolled into our king-size beds feeling like little piggies and snored like hogs. It was truly a glorious “evening of food and wine!”

When I woke up the next morning, I really didn’t want to get out of my cozy bed. But then the smell of breakfast wafted up to my room, and I couldn’t resist. I headed down to the restaurant patio, where the sunlight was streaming through the pecan nut trees. There were bees buzzing happily in the roses, adding to the idyllic scene.

Once I sat down for breakfast, I knew I was in for a treat. A traditional English breakfast was served to me, and I savored every bite. It was the perfect fuel for the day ahead.

After my satisfying meal, I decided to go for a leisurely stroll through the trees to the swimming pool. Along the way, I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the place. The roses were in full bloom, the lawns were meticulously groomed, and every little detail had been carefully thought out.

One thing that caught my attention was a tap with a bird handle. It was a charming touch that added to the overall ambiance of Jan Harmsgat Country House. It was clear that this place had been designed with the guest’s pleasure in mind.

If you’re ever in the area and feel like treating yourself, I highly recommend spending a night or two at Jan Harmsgat Country House. It’s the perfect place to relax and indulge in some pampering. Oh, and ladies, here’s an interesting tidbit: Willie, the owner, is single and quite the catch!

So why not give them a call at 023-616-3407 or visit their website at www.jhghouse.com? You won’t regret it!

The last stop on our amazing weekend adventure was at the beautiful Arendsig Wine Estate in Bonnievale. We had our final meal of the weekend with the talented winemaker, Lourens van der Westhuizen, and the incredible chef Axel from the popular Mo & Rose restaurant. We were all asked to wear white, which created a picturesque scene reminiscent of an English afternoon by the riverside, complete with a rowboat and a game of croquet. It was a delightful setting to enjoy great food and wine.

Lourens took the time to have conversations with each and every one of us. The wine was flowing, and the delicious aroma of sizzling meat on the braai filled the air. We sat at tables placed under the shade of beautiful trees, simply enjoying the company of friends and family, and the relaxed atmosphere. The weather was warm and pleasant – the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon at the end of an incredible weekend.

If you’re interested in visiting the Arendsig Wine Estate, you can reach them at 023-616-2835 or visit their website at www.arendsig.co.za.

The Hands-on Harvest is the coziest wine festival in Robertson, where I had the chance to experience something truly intimate. It was an amazing opportunity to meet the passionate winemakers in person, connect with the locals, and indulge in the finest wines and mouthwatering food. And guess what? I even managed to snag a few bottles of exquisite wine to take home. Our car trunk was filled with the delightful treasures we discovered!