Spier and other Stellenbosch, South Africa Things to Do Tips

Spier is not only a wine farm. Apart from wine tasting and buying there are many other activities. You can eat, play golf, stay for the night, attend a show in the Amphi theatre, have a picnic at the river or even have a meeting at the conference centre.
Lots of grass for kids to play on.

I found the wines expensive and not as nice at the wines at Delheim.

But go and taste the wines it might be what you like. Take a walk to the river, explore the farm and have something to eat or drink.

A worthwhile experience.

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Website: www.spier.co.za

Who "oom samie" is or was I don't know. What I know is that is a very interesting shop and very popular with tourists and locals.

You first have to get use to the smell. They sell bokkoms"(dried fish). There is something of everything from antiques to local crafts to anything you can think of.

I remember except for the smell my first impression was that the place is very full.
Once you find your way and start exploring it is a very exciting experience.

This shop is a true reflection of how locals use to trade 200 years ago.
The shop is still the same as it was 150 years ago when it first opened.

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Phone: 0218870797
Address: 84 Dorp street Stellenbosch
Website: http://www.stellenboschtourism.co.za

I enjoyed walking through the vineyards and just loved the peaceful , tranquil feeling of this farm. It was very quiet the day we were there and I got the feeling it is not one of the very busy farms. It is so much nicer because you get the undivided attention of the staff in the cellar and you can really ask about the wines.

We weren't too impressed with the whites and the reds but the port is wonderful.

We bought a few bottles.

A hint. The wines at the farms are not always cheaper than in the bottle stores. I actually saw the same port in Cape town for a few rand less.

It doesn't really matter because later when you drink the wine it is nice to remember that you bought this at Morgenhof or Delheim or where ever and it becomes part of the memories.

If you are out to really seriously buy wines it might be sensible to make sure it is the cheapest option. If you buy in bulk it's obviously cheaper.

If Montegu is part of your route it is better to buy there. It's much cheaper and the wines are great.

BUT NEVER miss out on the wine farms it's a magnificent experience.

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Directions: On the Stellenbosch wine route
Website: www.morgenhof.com

This was the last wine farm we visited and my all time favourite. What is so funny about the pic is that Gary doesn't even drink wine. He had a sip here and there from my mother and me. It was not all the wine that made him look so desperate. It was way past lunchtime. He was more hungry than anything else.

The cellar, where you do the wine tasting was the only cellar on the trip that really felt like a cellar. Great atmosphere. At the other farms the wine tasting is done in the selling area and it doesn't have the same atmosphere.

You buy a glass and then you can taste about 5 different wines. The glass is engraved with the farm's name and it is a nice souvenir.

Also see the restaurant tip for Delheim.

2006: Went back to Delheim. It is still one of my favourites.

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Directions: On the main wine route
Website: www.delheim.com

Simonsig is a beautiful farm. We did a cellar tour where the whole wine making process is explained and showed.

On the picture you will see that in front of every group of vineyards is a rose bush.

I first thought they were very visually orientated and the idea was to make the vineyards look pretty ( well it does look pretty)

Ok so I was wrong. The reason they plant the roses is so that they can check for diseases.
All they have to do is to check the roses and if the rose bush has a disease it means the vineyards in the same row is also infected and needs to be treated. Apparently it is easier to spot it on the roses than on the vineyards itself. I thought this was very clever and it still looks pretty as well..

The farm belongs to the Malan family. It has been in the family since 1688 when the first Malan a French Huguenot came to the Cape.

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Website: www.simonsig.co.za

I have read a little bit about JC le Roux's Cap Classique . According to the lady in the tasting area they are not allowed to use the word champagne but the process they use and the taste is the same. I know what they taste like now and maybe I have no style ( that's fine with me) but I prefer the cheaper sparkling wines.

A very beautiful farm with friendly and helpful staff. R20 per person to taste 6 ,( 4 cap classique and 2 sparkling wines) . For each tasting they pour about half a glass. So make sure you eat something before the time and take it slowly. You can just take a few sips and empty the glass in the container provided for that. Gary did it a few times. If he doesn't like something he knows immediately. I kept on trying until the glass was empty. Don't like wasting.

Well worth a visit if you like bubbly.

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Address: Stellenbosch
Directions: Get a map from the tourist info with all the wine farms marked on it. It is the easiest way as the turn-offs doesn't always show which farms are there. They jsut have a general sign saying wine route.