When I visited South Africa I drove out of Cape Town to lunch at a winery. On my next trip I shall research wineries carefully in advance, checking which ones have great restaurants, interesting wines to taste, unusual buildings or special landscapes.
A new friend who has often visited her family in South Africa told me about the three wineries where they take visitors out of Cape Town. I saw her photos and you can see photos and read her write-ups on TripAdvisor.
1 Belaire Graff
The Belaire winery (bel or belle meaning beautiful, aire is air) was bought by the jewellery Graff and made even more beautiful. Stunning views of a mountain like the Matterhorn with a sharp triangular top, foliage and flowers such as birds of paradise, yellow and purply blue.
The whole area is landscape gardened and adorned with giant sculptures depicting the people and animals of South Africa, twin human heads, and man-size gamboling animals.
Inside you find two great restaurants. I liked the light fitting of a flock of swallows circling. The choice of restaurants is Asian or Western.
2 Vergelegen Winery
The name is pronounced Fair - che (like Scottish loch or clearing your throat) lechen (again a clearing your throat ch). The name means long leg, or remote place, originally quite a walk from anywhere.
It's a traditional and local Cape Dutch house with beautiful gardens. For a contrast, then see:
3 Ernie Els Winery
A granite structure, ultra modern, with a big oak door, and views, great for a light snack.
You might want to reverse the order of direction or start with number two, the traditional one, and end with the sculpture garden and linger over a meal stop.
A new friend who has often visited her family in South Africa told me about the three wineries where they take visitors out of Cape Town. I saw her photos and you can see photos and read her write-ups on TripAdvisor.
1 Belaire Graff
The Belaire winery (bel or belle meaning beautiful, aire is air) was bought by the jewellery Graff and made even more beautiful. Stunning views of a mountain like the Matterhorn with a sharp triangular top, foliage and flowers such as birds of paradise, yellow and purply blue.
The whole area is landscape gardened and adorned with giant sculptures depicting the people and animals of South Africa, twin human heads, and man-size gamboling animals.
Inside you find two great restaurants. I liked the light fitting of a flock of swallows circling. The choice of restaurants is Asian or Western.
2 Vergelegen Winery
The name is pronounced Fair - che (like Scottish loch or clearing your throat) lechen (again a clearing your throat ch). The name means long leg, or remote place, originally quite a walk from anywhere.
It's a traditional and local Cape Dutch house with beautiful gardens. For a contrast, then see:
3 Ernie Els Winery
A granite structure, ultra modern, with a big oak door, and views, great for a light snack.
You might want to reverse the order of direction or start with number two, the traditional one, and end with the sculpture garden and linger over a meal stop.
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