Welcome to the Western Cape Wineries - a kiwi's opinion blog

I originally set up this blog to help foreigners have an enjoyable experience when visiting the western cape wineries in South Africa.

I realised that it is very difficult for a tourist to choose where to go and which wineries to visit, when you have 600+ wine producers to choose from.

When I first moved to SA December 2010, my palate struggled to adjust to SA wine, b
ut after living here for a while and after visiting over 100+ wine estates, I have found many wines which I really like and can highly recommend.

Admittingly, when you come from another country it is hard not to compare the wine in SA to what you are used to back home. However, once you realise they are not the same (they have their own characteristics due to the different soil, climate etc) and appreciate their wines for being SA wines, it will improve your opinion and experience of the wines immediately.

If you are staying in SA for a while, don't dispair, your palate will change, and you will soon find yourself liking SA wine over your home countries wine!!

I hope my blog will help wine lovers have an enjoyable wine experience while in SA.

Please note: I am not a wine connoisseur. The comments I write about the wine is mostly for my own benefit of having them on record.



Tuesday 29 March 2011

Beyerskloof - Stellenbosch

Beyerskloof is a nice winery to spend a lunch and to try Pinotage wines.

South Africa produces a lot of pinotage wine. I had not tried or heard of Pinotage until I came to South Africa. Its a very nice wine, however it is not consistently a moist or dry wine. Some winery's pinotage is dry and some is moist. So if you try a pinotage and don't like it, I recommend trying other wineries pinotages before you eliminate it from your preferable wines.

I have been to Beyerskloof a few times, it is interesting to go there for a wine tasting, and a nice place to have a casual lunch. This is the view from the outdoor seating of the restaurant:


At Beyerskloof, only Pinotage wine is available to try. This is the only wine they make. If you aren't a red wine fan, don't dispair, they have a chenin pinotage, which is a white wine. This is a very nice white wine, it is soft on the palate, a little sweet, and very easy to drink. If I am correct, this wine sold for as little as R25. I wasn't a fan of the reds, I found them a little too dry for my liking, however, there are several to try and if you like dry reds, you will likely find something you like here.

If you plan to have lunch at Beyerskloof on a weekend I highly recommend you book ahead, especially if its a nice day and you want to sit outside. Beyerskloof is very popular with the locals on a weekend. One of the meals I highly recommend is the pinotage burger, it is one of the best burgers I have had in South Africa!! The views from the restaurant are very nice. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant and winery.


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