Stellenbosch Wine Routes are pleased to provide this update of new and noteworthy items regarding Stellenbosch’s wine tourism industry.
WINE TOURISM NEWS
Cape Town / Winelands water crisis under control – dam levels hit 70%
Thanks to sustained and heavy seasonal rains and the actions of locals in adopting water-friendly lifestyles, Cape Town’s dam levels have improved to 70% storage capacity. International visitors can be assured that Cape Town and its beautiful surrounding Winelands are and will continue to be a world-class destination that continues to garner accolades, a must-experience place that will delight. In the height of the recent water crisis government, the hospitality sector and wine industry came up with smart plans to alleviate the impact of a severe drought on tourism. Tourism businesses, locals and visitors are asked to continue to carry out daily activities in a water-conscious way that will contribute to sustainable tourism.
RESTAURANT & FOODIE NEWS
Bertus Basson opens his 6th restaurant in the Winelands
The unstoppable chef Bertus Basson, the embodiment of proudly South African, has opened his new restaurant, Eike, set in the heart of Stellenbosch town. The cosy, pretty dining room offers an intimate atmosphere, seats just 30 diners and serves a fixed menu for dinner only. The concept behind Eike, which is located in an historic building on Dorp Street, is inspired by Bertus’s dream to open a dining room that celebrates South Africa’s regions and food.
Top 20 chef opens new restaurant in the Winelands
Chef George Jardine of restaurants Jardine and Jordan in Stellenbosch has opened a third Winelands restaurant, Seven. Located in Somerset West, the restaurant menu is produce-driven cuisine sourced from all corners of South Africa, and has a more relaxed slant with food that is served simply and with love. There is a small but comprehensive wine list focused on the Helderberg, as well as other local wine regions.
Stellenbosch wine estate Quoin Rock Wines due to open its doors
In time for the upcoming South African summer season, Quoin Rock Wines will relaunch with new wines and world-class facilities. New guest areas, a brand new tasting centre and a stunning range of wines will welcome old and new friends alike. A new, exciting restaurant with a “first for Africa” experience, will entice food and wine lovers from across the globe. With the majestic Simonsberg Mountain as a backdrop, and the peaceful Knorhoek Valley as the setting, Quoin Rock is the ideal destination for food and wine lovers.
Fynbos-flavoured cupcake wine pairing now available at Stellenbosch winery
Delheim Wine Estate has added a new offering to its popular wine-tasting line-up. Already famous for pairing dainty cupcakes with wine, the estate now introduced a new twist to the offering with a nod to the Cape’s famous Floral Kingdom. The Delheim wine and fynbos cupcake pairing includes an entirely new array of fynbos-inspired mini cakes to showcase the wines of the eco-friendly farm. Flavours include a fynbos Cape coast honey cupcake with honey cream cheese frosting; the honeybush cupcake made with honeybush tea leaves; the buchu cupcake made with a tincture from Durban-based herbal lab Phyto-Force; and a classic rooibos featuring rooibos espresso topped with cream cheese and cinnamon icing.
ACCOMMODATION NEWS
Historic wine farm and country hotel reopens after fire
Following a fire that broke out last year, which caused extensive damage, the 5-star Lanzerac Hotel and Spa has reopened after a year-long restoration project. The grand hotel and wine estate are known for its lush vineyards and views of the towering Jonkershoek Mountains. The property comprises 53 individually designed bedrooms and suites, a luxurious spa and wine tasting centre. A new restaurant and eating experience will open soon. Lanzerac Wine Estate, steeped in history, dates back to 1692.
Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa expands its luxurious accommodation offering
Delaire Graff Estate is delighted to announce the opening of six Superior Lodges and a breath-taking Owner’s Villa on 21 December 2018. Luxurious and opulent on a grand scale, the new four-bedroom private Villa (660 m²) accommodates up to eight guests traveling as a group. Each of the six new lodges (76 m²) accommodates two adults and have a tranquil, private outdoor space with heated plunge pool and panoramic views across the valley and the estate’s vineyards.
ATTRACTIONS, ACTIVITIES & TOURISM OFFERINGS
An outdoor lover’s paradise: Hiking and Biking in Stellenbosch
The region has kilometers upon kilometers of developed mountain biking tracks, guided bike tours as well as hiking trails in the Jonkershoek Mountains and on many wine farms. Bikes and guides can be rented from Stellenbosch Trail Fund and Adventure shop.
NEW: Stellenbosch mountain tours on Swiss push bikes
Experience the beauty of the alpine-like mountains surrounding Stellenbosch in a fun and active way. Scootours Stellenbosch offers guided tours through Jonkershoek Nature Reserve on Swiss-designed, non-motorized push bikes making this eco-friendly. Stunning views, majestic mountains and endless downhill slopes is what Scootours Stellenbosch is all about.
NEW: Guided E-bike wine tasting tours
Vine bikes offers tours of Stellenbosch wine farms on an E-Bike. Visitors can look forward to an adventurous day out, with a fun cycling tour but with less effort! Guests are surrounded by nature and beauty all the way and cycling on the e-bikes enables you to soak up so much more. The tour takes visitors to a number of state-of-the art wine farms where they spend 45 minutes at each place and experience different wine flavours.
Ongoing: Mountain bike events, trail run and hike events
Dirtopia, an outdoor, adventure company based at Delvera Farm 10km from Stellenbosch organizes regular mountain bike events, fun trail runs and hike events for active and outdoor lovers. Dirtopia also offers the popular Wine Walk to Warwick as well as Full Moon Hikes where participants experience the splendor of the great outdoors with magnificent views of the Cape Peninsula and even Table Mountain. www.dirtopia.co.za
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Stellenbosch Street Soirees – monthly starting 28th November 2018
The popular Stellenbosch Street Soirees spill the town’s unique food and wine culture onto its oak-lined streets, for locals and visitors alike to sip, savour and share in the vibrant spirit of this ‘forever young’ town. Happening in the town’s bustling Drostdy Street, cars make way for a merry crowd to mingle, indulge in Stellenbosch wines and snack on gourmet bites by famed resident foodies. Live music adds feel-good vibes to this sensory ‘pavement playground’. Each event features a different selection of cellars, eateries and music. Stellenbosch Street Soirees dates for the 2018/2019 season: 28 November, 12 December 2018, 16 & 30 January, 13 & 27 February, 13 & 27 March 2019
#artystellenbosch: Last Thursdays Stellenbosch
To all art lovers, an invitation that cannot be refused: Last Thursday is a free gallery-hopping event which takes place on a monthly basis and offers tourists and locals a alike to take in all the creative craft the town has to offer. Visit local galleries, get a look at what the talented students of the Stellenbosch University Visual Arts Department are producing and have a glass of wine while you’re at it. Expect full access to the many and diverse galleries in and around the historic town centre, as well as restaurants and bars abuzz with jovial company as the town opens up from 5pm.
Woordfees Festival: March 2019
Stellenbosch comes alive with a dash of creativity and plenty of activity when the annual Woordfees strolls into town with poetry, stories, live music performances, art exhibitions. Running over a period of nine days the programme is packed with interesting activities set to entertain the public and educate the masses.
