While it can be difficult to find a reason to leave Cape Town even for just a few hours, the Robertson Wine Valley is one of the best short breaks you can take from the city. Dating from 1853, Robertson remains an old-fashioned agricultural centre, set along the Breede River about two hours from Cape Town. Surrounded by lime-rich soils and mountain ranges that have made it one of South Africa’s most prolific wine-growing regions, the valley has earned its romantic nickname – the Valley of Wine and Roses.
HOME BASE
The Robertson Small Hotel
To truly slow down, stay at The Robertson Small Hotel – a spoiling spot in the centre of the sleepy little town cradled by the peaks of the Langeberg Mountains. The five-star luxury hotel is homely and welcoming, whilst enthusiastically embracing Robertson’s heritage. There are 11 individually decorated rooms (including Manor House Rooms, Stable Suites and Pool Suites), though it’s hard to tell as the space feels more intimate. Inside, it’s a riot of antiquarian exuberance – wooden floors, original sash windows and a playful clash of patterns and colours – but with an overriding sense of freshness to offset the Victorian character. You’ll want to stop for drinks on the wraparound terrace for the décor alone (don’t miss out on cocktail concoctions like the lavender martini during happy hour every Friday from 15h00 to 18h00). There’s a cosy all-day restaurant, a bar with azulejo tiles and a garden pavilion to boot. The Small Restaurant is a feast for the eyes – and a literal one. Breakfast, with its eggs benedict, smoked salmon crostini and decadent flapjacks, could take up a whole happy morning, while dinner might involve seafood dumplings followed by beef fillet and blueberry cheesecake. In the warmer months, guests drift from pool to pool (there are two) and down to the spa. “Pinotage” massages may seem redundant after a day spent wine tasting, but trust us – they aren’t. Shaded daybeds march out across the manicured grounds, providing ample space to switch off, read a book and soak up the ethereal, rose-scented atmosphere. It’s close to all that Robertson has to offer and yet feels far-removed all at once. Our seafoam-hued Pool Suite was well-appointed and modern, with low-slung woven rattan pendant lights, a TV with DStv Premium, a well-stocked minibar, a coffee machine and air-conditioning. The bathroom came equipped with a soaking tub, separate shower and amenities by Healing Earth. There was a lovely openness to the room as well as a luxuriously inviting feel. Notably, the king-size beds are very comfortable, with extra-soft sheets we uncurled from begrudgingly each morning.
58 Van Reenen Street, Robertson
023 880 0611
reservations@thelivingjourneycollection.co.za
www.thelivingjourneycollection.co.za
WHERE TO TASTE
The Robertson Wine Valley is home to more than 50 wineries, so it helps to visit with a game plan. Whether you’re a seasoned wine drinker or love top-notch bubbly, here’s how to weave some vineyard-hopping into your next winter weekend away.
Springfield Estate
Springfield Estate, Robertson’s most ubiquitous producer, is best known for its Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc – but visit the cellars, and you’ll be rewarded with complex single-vineyard wines and a hefty dose of history. Springfield stands out for its ivy-covered stone walls and charming tasting room overlooking the dam. You can also drink in the family history through expert tours. Taste as widely as you can because the wines – from the Miss Lucy white blend to the Méthode Ancienne Cabernet Sauvignon – are spectacular.
R317, Robertson
023 626 3661
Van Loveren Family Vineyards
An airy and sleek structure, Van Loveren Family Vineyards – part of Cape Country Routes – is idyllic for a convivial gathering and a great space for a vinous journey. Feel like sipping your way at a leisure pace? Settle in with the cheese and wine pairing – three whites and two reds matched with selections from Dalewood Fromage. If winter means red wine to you, they’ve got plenty of top drops, including the award-winning Van Loveren Cabernet Sauvignon, Christina Cabernet Sauvignon and Retief Reserve Cape Blend.
R317, Robertson
023 615 1505
Graham Beck Estate
No Robertson Wine Valley trip is complete without a stop at Graham Beck Estate, one of South Africa’s leading Cap Classique producers. When you arrive, you’re swept off your feet with glee and serenity as you look out onto the verdant landscape. The modernist architecture beckons guests to celebrate and actively engage in the experience. Opt for The Cellarmaster’s Selection Tasting, featuring five MCCs including the estate’s flagship Cuvée Clive. Generous cheese and charcuterie platters are also available.
R60, Robertson
023 626 1214
Weltevrede Wine Estate
Off the tourist track but equally worthwhile is the family-owned Weltevrede Wine Estate, also a Cape Country Routes stop. You’ll have the chance to explore the underground cellar and pretty little rose garden while tasting the estate’s chardonnay and MCC. If you’re looking for a remarkable Calcrete – Robertson’s signature style of chardonnay – this is the place to go. Grown in the valley’s limestone-based calcrete soils, the wine is unwooded, resulting in bright acidity and a crisp, mineral profile reminiscent of classic Chablis.
R317, Bonnievale
023 616 2141
Word of advice? Avoid the temptation to cram as many tastings as possible into each day, and hold yourself to one visit in the morning and one in the afternoon.
WHERE TO DINE
Kapokbos Restaurant
Given the amazing local produce, being well fed between tastings is a virtual guarantee in the Robertson Wine Valley. If you want to experience the flavour of the region in one day, then Kapokbos Restaurant is the perfect sampling board. The small but beautifully executed menu is the epitome of hyper-local generosity and authenticity. Some of the ingredients are grown just metres from the tables. Think springbok tataki, duck liver parfait, Greek-style lamb, glazed quail and a savoury goats cheesecake topped with fresh figs. It’s the ideal place to pause and reflect – glass of Weltevrede Philip Jonker Entheos Brut MCC in hand, naturally – on the fact that, while a day’s eating and drinking in Robertson is great, a full weekend is even better. Sit back and feel the real world fade away.
Weltevrede Wine Estate, R317, Bonnievale
023 100 4182
