So you thought Wellington was just a sleepy little hollow. Well, think again!
Wellington not only produces wines, but their breathtakingly beautiful wine route offers something for all discerning wine and food lovers as well as nature lovers.
Here are a few of tips on enjoying Wellington’s magnificent wine estates and everything they have on offer:
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Read a book…
Let’s be honest, this is something we seldom get a chance to do – in a world saturated with technology. So take your kids to Dunstone Stone Kitchen, where they can play in- or outdoors in their super child-friendly environment while you read a book and enjoy a glass of wine in the shade of their magnificent garden trees. You can even invite friends to join you for the popular Friday night Burger Night at Dunstone. This venue has been rated the “best family venue” for good reason.
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Throwback Thursdays are Date Nights by Bovlei…
As jy dalk vir ’n aand sonder die kleinspan wil uitgaan en ontspan (regte mamma-en-papa-tyd) kan jy beslis by Bovlei kom kuier! Date Nights at Bovlei gaan alles oor “old-school” romanse. ‘n geen-fieterjasies-aand. Net jy, jou geliefde, burger en chips en wyn. Kerslig, goeie goue oues en die Wellington sonsondergang. Besprekings is noodsaaklik.
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Don’t be fooled by the colour of wine
Wellington is playing a major role in innovative winemaking concepts, and therefore you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to explore this! Bosman offers an incredible “orange wine”, a white wine treated as a red wine in the cellar, while Wellington Wines treats a red cultivar like a white wine, offering the fruity and exciting white pinotage!
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Wellington is shiraz world
According to SAWIS statistics, shiraz is the second most planted cultivar in Wellington, where it does exceptionally well. So make a point of tasting shiraz when on a wine tour here – especially at Andreas Wine Estate, where only shiraz is produced
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Meet our own – very cool rhinos!
While the kids get to meet the almost life-sized rhinos displayed in the garden, you can order a pizza or platter and enjoy an excellent wine tasting presentation at Linton Park. Linton Park has embarked on a massive rhino support initiative, which is always a good thing for children to learn about.
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Farm market at Linton Park
Come and enjoy a real estate farm market on 26 October. Old-fashioned products combined with the trendy! Great fun for the kids, local artists, and all this while enjoying a nice glass of wine.
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Camp in your own backyard!
Doolhof Wine Estate just opened its new boutique glamping camp facilities. Here you can camp with the family, children, friends and even grandma and grandfather without having to pack too much. The Africamps facilities provide everything you need. All you need is a bottle of wine. Check in at the tasting room on the campsite and disappear into the mountains for the weekend. How nice..Visit the smallest registered wine estate in South Africa!
Enjoy the personal hospitality of Birgit and René, owners of the Jacaranda Wine Estate. Taste their wines and hear their incredible story. This beautiful establishment is a must for the 2019 to-do list.
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Meet the family and rugby legends of Welbedacht!
It is home to well-known “Schalk Burger and boys” (Tiaan and Schalk Jr). If you love quality wine and sports this is the stop for you. Try the flagship 2013 Cricket Pitch when you are there. The wine was included in the Quest for the Best selection for good reason.
On a good day you may be lucky enough to meet one or two of the Burger men. (Our advice is that you offer a light handshake and not fall into a scrum!)
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Take your guests somewhere special . . .
Book a private wine tasting at Mont du Toit, first producer of premium red wines in Wellington, situated below Du Toit’s Kloof Pass in an area where the Du Toit family has farmed for some 300 years.”
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Hidden gems
While driving around in the Horse Shoe in Wellington, discover some of its smaller little gems – wine farms such as Alkmaar, Welgegund, Jacques Smit Wines and Malan de Versailles. Appointments are recommended before you visit these farms.
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If you are any sort of brandy enthusiast, you have to try this! It may well be small and exclusive, but it is definitely an experience of note! Upland Organic Brandy Distilllers (owned by Edmund and Elsie Oettle) will give you a brandy tasting experience second to none.
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Pinotage On Tap
You may have heard about it – but have you actually ever been to one of these? Pinotage On Tap (Pot) is one of Wellington’s greatest and most long-standing events. This year, on 28 September, Diemersfontein will celebrate the 15th anniversary of this event.
. What is your limit?
At Imbuko Vineyards you can taste an array of no less than 25 wines (here you will definitely need a designated driver).
But if you prefer moderation as well as lining your stomach, try the delicious gourmet cocktail pie pairing instead.
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Want to ride your bicycle?
The MTB Nissan trial will be held at Bosman Family Vineyards on 17 and 18 August. Welvanpas also offers regular any-day trails. Not so keen on the bike thing? Join the weekly parkrun at Imbuko every Saturday at 08:00.
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Expand your wine collection
Indulge in an exclusive collection of all our local celebrity wines – know and collect the winning wines of the recent 2018 Quest for the Best awards. Email us at wellingtonwineroute@gmail.com
And there’s even more! Look out for these and enjoy by staying in touch with Wellington on Facebook, “People of the Wellington Wine Route”, which shares all events.
