Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Western Cape, the Robertson Wine Valley is a glittering treasure trove of award-winning wines, immersive experiences, and breathtaking scenery. While the region is world-renowned for its winemaking prowess, many of its most captivating stories unfold far from the beaten path — in candlelit caves, riverside vineyards, and family-run estates where passion is poured into every bottle.
One such marvel is Weltevrede Wine Estate, home of Philip Jonker and a haven for lovers of Chardonnay and cap classique. But the magic doesn’t end there. From fossil-filled vineyards at Silverthorn to cactus gardens and steam trains, here’s your ultimate guide to the Robertson Valley’s best-kept secrets.
Key Takeaways
- Weltevrede offers unique Chardonnay and cap classique experiences.
- Silverthorn combines great bubbles with palaeontology.
- Kapokbos is a must-visit for country-style fine dining.
- The New Cape Central Railway delivers wine-tasting on the move.
- Rietvallei and Springfield provide heritage-rich wine experiences.
- Arendsig, Van Loveren, and Viljoensdrift offer outdoor and riverside adventures.
- Sheilam Cactus Garden is a quirky, botanical highlight.
Weltevrede Wine Estate: Where Magic Meets Chardonnay
Deciding where to start at Philip Jonker’s family-run estate is no easy feat. Do you embark on the emotional “Captivated by Chardonnay” journey or roll up your sleeves and create your very own bottle of cap classique?
Captivated by Chardonnay
This two-hour guided tour takes you deep into the soul of winemaking. Wander through candle-lit caves, sip award-winning Chardonnay, and immerse yourself in the Jonker family legacy. It’s a goosebump-inducing experience, described by many as life-changing.
- Cost: R250
- Time: 2pm (Booking essential)
Create Cap Classique
A more hands-on option, this experience lets you learn the intricacies of disgorging, dosage, and corkage, before bottling and labeling your own bubbly to take home.
- Cost: R200
Good to Know
- Opening Times: Monday – Saturday, 9am – 4pm
- Contact: 023 616 2141 | [email protected]
- Location: Weltevrede Wine Estate, R317, Bonnievale
Silverthorn Wines: Fossils, Fizz, and Friendship
Meet John and Karen Loubser, the warm, welcoming duo behind Silverthorn Wines. A tasting here feels more like a visit with old friends. As you sip their award-winning cap classique, stories unfold — tales of geology, history, and even palaeontology.
The Fossil Collection
Ask John about his growing fossil collection, a nod to the estate’s rich prehistoric roots.
- Cost: R100 per person
- Times: Mon–Fri: 12pm–3pm | Sat: 10am–2pm
- Contact: 072 063 3609 | [email protected]
- Location: Silverthorn Wines, R317, Bonnievale
Kapokbos Restaurant: Where Simplicity Meets Sophistication
Tucked within Weltevrede Estate, Kapokbos is the culinary gem of the valley. Juan Fourie and Samantha Morris-Fourie serve up exquisite dishes with a rustic touch, inspired by indigenous herbs like wild rosemary (kapokbos).
Dining Details
- Times: Tues–Sat: 12pm–3pm | Sun: 12pm–2pm
- Contact: 023 100 4182 | [email protected]
- Bonus: Deli next door and scenic picnic options
Springfield Estate: Terroir and Tradition
The Bruwer family lets their wines do the talking — and oh, what stories they tell. Sip Miss Lucy or Life from a Stone beside a tranquil dam. Then, tour the working cellars to see how minimal intervention and patience yield perfection.
- Wine-Tasting: R100
- Cellar Tour: Free
- Times: Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm | Sat: 9am–3pm
- Contact: 023 626 3661 | [email protected]
The New Cape Central Railway: Wine Tasting on Rails
Hop aboard this steam-powered delight for a vineyard-hopping ride with flair. Each vintage carriage offers a unique tasting experience, plus wood-fired pizza and local craft beer.
- Journey: 3–4 hours
- Stops: Graham Beck & Nuy Station
- Cost: R630 (adults) | R350 (kids 3–12) | Free (<3yrs)
- Times: Every Saturday, 10am
- Contact: 083 440 7868 | [email protected]
- Departure: Robertson Railway Station
Rietvallei Estate: History in a Glass
A visit to Rietvallei is both a tasting and a time-travel experience. With vines dating back to 1908, their muscadel is a piece of living history. Explore lesser-known cultivars like cinsault and cabernet franc, best enjoyed in their shaded courtyard.
- Tasting: R50 (waived with 6-bottle purchase)
- Cheese Platter (for 2): R350
- Times: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm | Sat: 10am–3pm
- Contact: 023 626 3596 | [email protected]
- Location: Rietvallei Estate, R60, Robertson
Sheilam Cactus Garden: Spines and Spectacle
Established in 1954, Sheilam Cactus Garden is home to over 2,000 species of succulents and cacti from around the globe. This living museum features everything from towering quiver trees to Mexican barrel cacti.
- Entry: R20 | Guided Tour: R125
- Tours: Tues–Thurs, 10am–1pm (min. 4 people)
- Times: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm | Sat: 8am–2pm
- Contact: 023 626 4133 | [email protected]
- Location: Klaasvoogds West Road, R60, Robertson
Van Loveren: Hiking Among the Vines
Beyond its reputation for approachable wines, Van Loveren offers a 7.5km biodiversity trail along the Breede River. Hike past fynbos slopes, river reeds, and vineyard rows while watching for over 90 bird species, including the trail’s namesake: the African fish eagle.
- Permit Fee: R70
- Times: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm | Sat: 9:30am–4pm | Sun: 11am–3pm
- Contact: 023 615 1505 | [email protected]
Viljoensdrift River Cruise: Wine with a Water View
Climb aboard Uncle Ben 2, a flat-bottomed boat, and drift down the Breede River surrounded by tranquil views. Pick your picnic from the deli, add a bottle of Viljoensdrift wine, and you’re set for 50 minutes of bliss.
- Cost: R120 (adults) | R50 (kids 3–12)
- Booking: Essential
- Times: Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm | Sat: 10am–4pm | Sun: 10am–3pm
- Contact: 023 615 1017 | [email protected]
- Location: Viljoensdrift, R317, Robertson
Arendsig: Terroir with a Personal Touch
At Arendsig, winemaker Lourens van der Westhuizen offers deeply personal tastings. Sample single-vineyard, site-specific wines, then relax by the river. Custom experiences — from hosted braais to river days — are available on request.
- Tastings: By appointment only
- Contact: Via request (varies based on experience)
Marbrin Olive Farm: Where Taste Meets Philosophy
Nestled in the picturesque Klaasvoogds River area, Marbrin Olive Growers is not just a stop — it’s an experience. Tastings here are unconventional, deeply engaging, and layered with stories of food, philosophy, and farming.
What to Expect:
- Taste extra-virgin olive oils, infused oils, tapenades, balsamic reductions, and even seasonal surprises like lemongrass ice cream
- Home-made limoncello and fresh bread by Clive Heymans
- Deep conversations about flexitarianism and the slow-food movement
Essentials:
- Booking: By appointment only
- Cost: R100 per person
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–3pm, Sat 9am–2pm, Sun by arrangement
- Contact: 078 916 3606 | [email protected]
- Address: 30-39 Robertson Road, Klaasvoogds River
Robertson Horse Adventures: The Valley on Hooves
Explore vineyards, rivers, and orchards the old-fashioned way — on horseback with a whisperer for a guide. Wilke Volschenk’s Robertson Horse Adventures pairs stunning Boerperd horses with tailored trails.
Highlights:
- Trails through vineyards, riversides, almond orchards
- Romantic picnic packages available for special occasions
Essentials:
- Booking: 24-hour advance booking required
- Cost: R300–R550
- Hours: Daily, 9am–5pm
- Contact: 082 963 8976 | [email protected]
- Address: Klipdrift Farm, Robertson
Graham Beck Estate: Sparkle & Pop
This luxurious estate redefines wine-tasting by adding a playful twist — bubbly and popcorn pairings. Each tasting showcases four Cap Classiques paired with uniquely flavored popcorns that sing with local flair.
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What to Expect:
- Sparkle & Pop experience
- Complimentary tastings also available
- An eclectic fine-art collection
Essentials:
- Cost: R220 per tasting
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat & Sun 10am–4pm
- Contact: 023 626 1214 | [email protected]
- Address: R60, Robertson
Owl’s Rest Lavender and Olive Farm: A Fragrant Retreat
Welcome to the sensory heaven that is Owl’s Rest. Surrounded by olive trees and fields of lavender, this family-run farm distills its own essential oils and crafts artisanal skincare.
Activities:
- Farm tour and olive tasting (for groups of 4+)
- Shop for handmade natural products
- Relax at the coffee garden with homemade cordials and muffins
Essentials:
- Tour Cost: R95 per person
- Hours: Tues–Sat, 10am–4pm
- Contact: 023 626 1284 | [email protected]
- Address: Klaasvoogds West Road
Kleinhoekkloof Wines: Charcuterie & Cellar Magic
A highland haven for both wine and charcuterie lovers, Kleinhoekkloof offers not just tastings but gourmet platters prepared with care and passion by Theunis de Jongh.
What to Expect:
- Small-batch wines
- Handmade charcuterie from Glen Oakes pigs
- By-appointment-only intimacy
Essentials:
- Booking: 24 hours in advance
- Wine Tasting: R70, Charcuterie Platter: R190
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat by appointment
- Contact: 064 678 8804 | [email protected]
- Address: Wildepaardekloof, Ashton
Excelsior Estate: Be Your Own Winemaker
More than a tasting — this is a winemaking workshop. Blend cabernet, merlot, and shiraz into your ideal wine. Cork it, seal it, and design your own label.
What to Expect:
- Guided blending from barrel samples
- Walk through rose maze and manor house
Essentials:
- Cost: R90 per bottle
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–3pm
- Contact: 023 615 1980 | [email protected]
- Address: R317, Ashton
Calcrete Wines: Robertson’s Answer to Chablis
Discover Robertson’s new wine category: Calcrete — unwooded chardonnay grown in ancient lime-rich soils, known for its clarity and minerality.
Where to Taste:
- Weltevrede
- De Wetshof
- Rietvallei
- Excelsior
- Van Loveren
Dassieshoek Nature Reserve: Hike to Heaven
The Arangieskop trail is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Opt for a shorter 4km hike to Watervalkloof for wild swimming in crystal-clear rock pools.
Essentials:
- Permits: R86 adults, R43.46 under 18s
- Hours: Mon–Tues 7:45am–4:30pm, Wed–Sun till 5:30pm
- Contact: 023 626 8200 | [email protected]
- Address: Dassieshoek, Robertson
Leopard Trail Farm: 4×4 into the Wild
Adventure seekers, rejoice. This guest farm offers off-road trails, birding, hiking, and bass fishing. A raw, rugged paradise.
Essentials:
- Cost: R350 per 4×4 vehicle, R100 per day visitor
- Contact: 082 413 4021 | [email protected]
- Address: R60, Bonnievale
Penhill Farm: Into the Fynbos
Normally a stay-over destination, Penhill Farm offers day visitors access to mountain biking and hiking routes — and breathtaking views.
Essentials:
- By arrangement only
- Contact: 078 800 5155 (WhatsApp) | [email protected]
- Address: Nuy Valley, near Robertson
Greenlands Farm Table: A Feast for All Senses
Imagine eating on a hilltop shed with roller doors open to stunning views and platters brimming with locally sourced seasonal bounty. That’s the Greenlands experience.
What to Expect:
- Farm-fresh platters, ribs, mussels, steaks
- Over 25 handmade ice cream flavors
- A tour of Sara’s gin and vodka distillery
Essentials:
- Booking recommended
- Contact: TBA (based on availability)
- Location: Robertson (detailed directions on request)
Final Thoughts: Why Robertson Wine Valley Deserves Your Time
This isn’t just a wine route — it’s a lifestyle. The Robertson Wine Valley is the embodiment of slow living, sustainability, and human connection. Whether you’re sipping chardonnay, feasting on charcuterie, or hiking to remote pools, there’s a richness that goes far beyond the glass. Every stop is a story. Every flavor a reflection of the land.
Key Takeaways:
- Book in advance for tastings and tours, especially at boutique venues.
- Embrace slow food and farm-to-table experiences — it’s part of the valley’s soul.
- Allow time to meet the makers — from olive farmers to winemakers.
This is Robertson, redefined.
Final Thoughts
From world-class wines and award-winning restaurants to fossil collections, river cruises, and cactus gardens, the Robertson Wine Valley is a destination that deserves to be savoured slowly. Whether you’re crafting your own bubbly, sipping in a steam train, or hiking beside a bird-filled river, these hidden gems will leave you enchanted — and coming back for more.
Tip: Make reservations where needed and allow at least a full weekend (or more) to explore. Every moment is a sensory celebration.
