The wine route can be reached from the Sandbaai traffic lights where the R43 to Hermanus and the R320 to Caledon intersect. At the entrance to the wine route is the Hemel-en-Aarde Village. Here you will find the first two wineries on the Hermanus R320 Wine Route, as well as Hermanus Wine Village. Hermanus Wine Village offers a large and comprehensive collection of South African wines for sale.
Whalehaven was named after the protective bay that shelters breeding southern right whales in the cool Cape winter months. The wines are made for the most part from grapes from the Bottega family farm, Da Capo Vineyards in Somerset West, and are vinified and bottled at the Whalehaven winery. There are various pairings to experience with the wines.
Hermanuspietersfontein, situated 250 metres hundred metres from the entrance to Hemel-en-Aarde Village and best known for its remarkable range of Sauvignon Blancs, Bordeaux and Rhône-style blends and its iconic Afrikaans wine names. The cellar’s Wine & Food Market is open every Saturdays from 09:00 till 14:00 and a great place to meet up with locals and visitors alike.
Southern Right produces a popular Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage with labels depicting the southern right whale. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of these wines goes to the conservation of their namesake.
Wijnskool is the new home to Bartho Eksteen Wines is situated across the road from the entrance to Southern Right. This is not just a tasting room but also a wine education centre and a sales office. There are three collections to pick from. Tree of Knowledge, Signature and Flagship range.
Hamilton Russell Vineyards receives credit for planting the first vines in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The famed estate specialises in producing two acclaimed wines – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – which can be tasted at their quaint thatched tasting facility overlooking the dam. The elegant and highly individual wines are world-renowned.
Bouchard Finlayson’s flagship wine is the Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, for which celebrated winemaker Peter Finlayson has won many awards. Growing on the slopes of Galpin Peak, repeated vintages of this path-blazing wine continue to reflect a true celebration of Pinot-crafting. Other varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a dry white blend, Blanc de Mer.
La Vierge specialises in producing Pinot Noir from their grapes that are grown in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Their range also includes Bordeaux and Rhône-style blends, Shiraz, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The Restaurant & Champagne Veranda offers unsurpassable views where visitors can sit, sip and appreciate the views or play a game of boule.
The Bellingham Turner family owns Sumaridge Estate Wines with vineyards between two imposing mountain ranges. The winery offers views of the Atlantic Ocean responsible for the cool maritime climate, which helps create wonderfully, balanced wines that age extraordinarily well.
Newton Johnson Vineyards is where brothers Bevan and Gordon have taken the Newton Johnson family cellar and vineyards to new heights in exploring the nuances of their vineyards. The cellar is situated on the mountain slope with spectacular views of the valley and the ocean beyond.
Restless River has some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde. Owners, Craig and Anne Wessels, hand craft site-expressive wines from vineyards farmed as naturally as possible to develop depth and complexity.
Spookfontein enjoys magnificent views from their restaurant next to their boutique cellar. The restaurant is now owned and managed by Vaughan van Blerk and Francois Barnard of Harbour Rock.
Hannes Storm’s Storm Wines cellar is situated on the Spookfontein property. Here Hannes crafts Storm Vrede Pinot Noir, Storm Vrede Chardonnay and Storm Ignis Pinot Noir.
Ataraxia is a boutique wine estate producing a range of handcrafted wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a red blend. Ataraxia’s Wine Lounge® is situated in a small chapel at the foot of the majestic Babylonstoring.
Creation offers informative vineyard and cellar tours, relaxed wine tasting and innovative food and wine pairings. Adventurous visitors have an opportunity to blend their own wines in the cellar.
Domaine des Dieux or “Place of the Gods” produces a small range of award winning wines. These wines are produced with the same fundamentals as the great French and European wines and are cellar aged in order to reach their full potential.
A little further afield lies the Bot River and Stanford wine routes that are also well worth a visit. Many of the wineries have restaurants and they offer wine tasting, cellar tours, meals and platters.
En route to Hermanus are the following two wineries where wine tastings can be enjoyed.
Rivendell is nestled between the cool Southern facing slope of the Limiet mountain range and the edge of the Bot River lagoon. Close to the Kleinmond turn-off on the R43 this estate offers award-winning wines for tasting seven days a week. The collection includes Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and a dry Rose.
Benguela Cove offers beautiful views and enthusiastic service from their tasting room – every day of the week from 10:00. There are chocolate and cheese pairings to choose from as well as a vineyard safari where tastings are offered next to the vines.
For more information about the Hermanus Wine Route visit www.hermanuswineroute.com
For more information about the Bot River Wine Route, visit www.botrivierwines.co.za
More information about the Stanford Wine Route can be obtained from the Stanford tourism office on 028 341 0340
Personalised Wine Tours
Hermanus Wine Hoppers does daily hop-on-hop-off trips from the centre of Hermanus to the Hermanus Wine Route.
Percy Tours offers tailor-made tours to any combination of these award-winning wineries. Your wine guide will collect you from your accommodation and chauffeur you to the wine tasting centres, combining your tour with lunch at any of the excellent restaurants along the route.
