A palm tree silhouetted against a fiery Robertson sunset
We really
thought that this would be the last MENU of 2021, but decided that bombarding
you with ten stories would be a bit too painful. So we’ve held five over for
the final issue of the year and will try to get it out before mid-week. This
week, and some of next week, is about Robertson, that beautiful and hospitable
river valley on the edge of the Karoo, lush in the middle because of the Breede
River and rocky and arid around the edges. It is one of our favourite places on
earth and we hope you’ll like the stories and think about visiting. It is less
than two hours from Cape Town, a comfortable and scenic drive.
MENU visits the Karoo
and the Garden Route 20. Robertson - DeWetshof
We made
very good time coming from Knysna and reached Robertson before 12. This is our
favourite wine area of them all; the people are so friendly and genuine, and
the wines are excellent. We have made lots of friends there. The two valleys of
Robertson and Bonnievale are very fruitful and beautiful. It is easy to get
around and we like it so much that we even contemplated moving here at one
time. All our appointments for the two days were ably organised for us by
Renate le Roux at the Robertson Tourism office. Our first wine estate visit was
to De Wetshof, which produces some of the best wines in the valley. Read on…
MENU visits the Karoo
and the Garden Route 21. Silverthorn, Bonnievale
Our next
appointment was at Silverthorn in Bonnievale. Warmly welcomed by John and Karen
Loubser, we were so impressed with what they have done to the farm in the two
years since we last visited. The tasting room, which they were still decorating
and fitting when we were there before, is now so comfortable and relaxing. How
did the farm get its name? "In the middle of winter, when the vines have
shed the last of their amber leaves and roots are drawing their strength for
summer; when the grey-green veld sparkles after the rain and the tallest peaks
of the Riviersonderend Mountains are dusted in snow, it is the Karoo Acacia,
with its profusion of dazzling white thorns, that commands attention. It is
this image of one of the Karoo’s most prolific thorn trees that inspired the
name Silverthorn Wines". Read on…
MENU visits the Karoo
and the Garden Route 22. Robertson - theLAB Boutique hotel
It had been
a long day since we set out from Knysna and we were becoming a bit tired, so we
headed for our overnight accommodation in the Klaasvoogds area. Called theLAB,
it’s a very interesting place, a modern “Eco-centric guest house“ with lots of
solar panels, a terrace with beautiful sunsets and views, a restaurant, and a
spa. Read on…
MENU visits the Karoo and the Garden Route 23.
Springfield, Robertson
The last
day of our trip. We had a good breakfast at theLAB, packed the car one last
time and headed off to our first appointment of the day, Springfield at 10 am. A
lovely avenue leads you into the farm. They have improved the tasting room over
the last few years and will soon enlarge it. During Covid, you need to sit
outside; there is a canopy. Roses grow so well on the Robertson soils; these
are really beautiful. Read on…
MENU visits the Karoo and the Garden Route 24. Robertson –
Kranskop
After our tasting at Springfield, it was time to rush off to our lunch date with Newald Marais at Kranskop. Newald has been so hospitable to us in the past and nothing has changed; we are very fond of him. The first vines were planted on Kranskop circa 1792. The craggy, rocky ledge atop Kranskop was inspiration for the hill’s name, which means wreath cap. Read on…
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