Page 203 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

THE C APE WINELANDS  201

3 Spier Wine Estate
Road map B5. Stellenbosch. N2,
then R310. Tel 021 809 1100.
Open tastings: 9am–5pm daily. &
7 0 = F G ∑ spier.co.za
Bounded by the Eerste River,
the Spier Wine Estate is one of
the oldest in the country. It
produced its first wine in 1712
and has buildings dating back
to 1767. The estate has under­
gone major renovations since
the early 1990s, when business­
man Dick Enthoven purchased
it from the Joubert family. The vineyards surrounding the Tokara estate
Spier grows all the major
South African red grape varie­ 4 Tokara own olive oil and kalamata
tals – Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz Road map B5. Stellenbosch. Off R310, olives, as well as handmade
and Pinotage – and produces a on Helshoogte Pass. Tel 021 808 5900. Belgian chocolates and South
good range of everyday reds Open tastings: 9am–5pm Mon–Fri, African cheeses. The public
and whites, along with some 10am–3pm Sat & Sun. Restaurant and buildings are also a showcase
award­winning winemaker’s deli: Tue–Sun to 5pm. & 0 for the work of some of the
specials aimed at connoisseurs. ∑ tokara.co.za region’s modern artists.
There is plenty to do at this
family­friendly estate besides Located up on the Helshoogte 5 Vergelegen
wine tasting. Dining is at the Pass, Tokara has sweeping views
gourmet Eight Restaurant, across False Bay and all the way Road map B5. Somerset West.
which uses produce from its to Table Mountain. The first Lourens ford Rd from R44. Tel 021
own estates, grown using bottling, in 2000, was under 847 2122. Open 9:30am– 4:30pm
biodynamic practices. At the the Zondernaam (“without daily. Closed Good Fri, 1 May, 25
Eight to Go deli visitors can name”) label: it was an Dec. 8 Cellar tours: 11:30am &
assemble (or pre­book) a picnic immediate success, winning 3pm. Garden tours: 10am. &
to enjoy on the rolling lawns a string of medals. - 0 = ∑ vergelegen.
beside the lake. You can walk As well as excellent co.za
around the Protea Garden, visit wines, the estate produces The vines and the five old
Eagle Encounters – a bird of brandy and olive oil. The camphor trees in front of
prey rehabilitation centre – and restaurant is housed in a this estate’s magnificent
explore the farm on horseback. striking elevated glass­ manor house were planted
The well­stocked crafts market and­steel cube with in 1700, when the
offers locally­produced items. wonderful mountain Choice white wine property belonged to
The estate is also home to a views. The delicatessen of the area Willem Adriaan van der
luxury hotel with a swimming has a child­friendly, Stel. Lady Florence
pool, and a spa that is open to sunny deck for breakfast and Phillips, an art patron, lived here
day visitors. light meals, and sells Tokara’s from 1917 to 1940. The extensive
renovations undertaken by the
Phillips family revealed the
foundations of an octagonal
garden, built by Willem van der
Stel and now restored.
The manor house is filled with
period furniture and fine
paintings, a tasting room, shop,
displays on the history of the
estate, and two restaurants:
Camphors at Vergelegen is the
formal à la carte restaurant and
Stables at Vergelegen is a café/
bistro open for breakfast, lunch
and teas. From November to
April, picnics complete with
white tablecloths can be
arranged under the shade of
Visitors enjoying an outdoor meal at the Spier estate van der Stel’s camphor trees.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp385–6 and pp402–3

200-201_EW_South_Africa.indd 201 25/05/17 2:46 pm