Wine and the Winelands
Wine estate reviews from Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Tulbagh.
Surgery & Safari in South Africa
Doctors, nurses and other professional medical staff from South Africa have for years been migrating north to hospitals in the west, but lately the migration has experienced a bizarre reverse with…
Boomer Travel In South Africa
Continuing the theme of debunking the bad press that has plagued South Africa in recent years, and highlighting in fact how safe it is to travel in SA, let's have a look at the Boomer market, and why…
The Brew Route: Durbans answer to the wine route?
The Zulu Kingdom now offers visitors a chance to experience the Brew Route , similar in many ways to the wine routes of the Western Cape.
Hot Springs and spas in the Cape
A friend from Germany was in town last week and desperately wanted to visit some natural hot springs. We have 4 of such that I am aware of, and there are all within 2 hours of Cape Town.
Shopping: Willowbridge mall, Tygervalley
In the last 10 years Cape Town has seen an explosion of retail areas, and shopping malls.
Cape Town Nightlife: Madame Zingara's Theatre of dreams.
In a rather unusual location below the highway in the foreshore, is a antique tent housing the relocated and renamed Madame Zingara's Tent/Theatre of Dreams.
For Sale: The Farm Backpackers, Ceres
The Property Is No Longer Available Anyone interested in working and living in idyllic Ceres?
Tulbagh Tavern: Hidden little pub.
Cape Town, always manages to surprise me. Yesterday, I was doing some running around and found this tiny pub in Tulbagh square .
Paulaner Brauhaus: V&A Waterfront
Whenever I am at the Waterfront, I try and make a little visit to the Paulaner Brewery on the Clocktower side. (Over the raising bridge).
Allesverloren Cabernet Sauvignon (2003): Wine Review
2003 Allesverloren Cabernet Sauvignon Where found?: Ultra Liquors, Green Point Main Road | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom:…
It's Time to Reveal What's in SA Logue's Fridge
Beer! Tafel Lager, that is, because no domestic SAB beer - horribly nasty brews like Castle Lager, Black Label, Amstel, Hansa and so on - will e'er pass my lips.
Warm Up with Soup on Saturdays at Nederburg
The Nederburg wine estate in Paarl is inviting all and sundry over for Saturday soup throughout August.
Beyerskloof Pinotage (2005): Wine Review
2005 Beyerskloof Pinotage Where found?: Pick n' Pay .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em;…
Three Days, Two Nights at the Cape
Over at the BootsnAll South Africa Travel forum , dopezyn needs to know how to navigate through two nights in the greater Cape region.
New Mountain Bike Challenge in Stellenbosch to Coincide with Wine Festival
The organizers of one of South Africa's premier wine shows, the Stellenbosch Wine Festival , have decided to add a little sporting excitement to their line-up this year, by incorporating the…
Beer Tours Here!
If you're looking for a beery good time in Cape Town, then the Newlands brewery of SAB Miller is where you want to be.
It's Bastille Day All Weekend in Franschhoek
The Western Cape's little slice of France , Franschhoek, is celebrating Bastille Day all weekend - why not join in the joie ?
Simondium's Country Lodge, Paarl Road, Cape Winelands: Accommodation Review
Simondium's Country Lodge R45, between the R310 and the N1 Paarl-Franschhoek Region, Cape Winelands | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px;…
Leopard's Leap Shiraz (2002): Wine Review
2002 Leopard's Leap Shiraz Where found? Nonna Lina's winelist .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption {…
Steenberg Vineyards, Steenberg, Cape Town: Wine Estate Review
Steenberg Vineyards off Steenberg Road (M42) Constantia Valley, Westlake Cape Town | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; }…
Usana Cabernet Sauvignon (2004): Wine Review
Where found? Vino Pronto 42 Orange St., Gardens Cape Town | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption {…
Pinehurst Pinotage (2004): Wine Review
2004 Pinehurst Pinotage Where found? Moreson , Franschhoek How much? R39 .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption…
Moreson, Franschhoek: Wine Estate Review
Moreson Happy Valley Road off the R45 (Franschhoek main road) | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption {…
La Motte, Franschhoek: Wine Estate Review
La Motte Off the R45 (Franschhoek Main Road) | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em;…
Cape Town's Big Six: The Constantia Valley (4/6)
As a city, Cape Town's known for its "Big Six" attractions - meet them all through SA Logue's Cape Town Big Six tag!
Chocolate Block Bordeaux (2004): Wine Review
2004 Chocolate Block Bordeaux Where found?: Wine Concepts, Kloof St., Cape Town | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; }…
Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmund Bordeaux (2000): Wine Review
2000 Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmund Bordeaux Where found?: Gift! How much? Well over R150, I'd guess.
Riebeek Cellars Pinotage (2004): Wine Review
2004 Riebeek Cellars Pinotage Where found?: Pieter Kruythof Laan, off Kloof Street Riebeek Kasteel | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px;…
Midmar Liquors, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town: Shop Review
Midmar Liquors 103 Strand St. (cnr. Rose St.) Bo-Kaap, Cape Town | Map .flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption {…
Get Mosquitos to Bug Someone Else with Beer
Alert! According to medical professionals whom Your Correspondent has spoken to on the matter, drinking beer is a good way to ward off mosquitos. Miraculous news!
Soekershof Walkabout: Get Away for the Day
There are no easy categories in which to place Soekershof , on the R60 between Robertson and Ashton, at the fringe of the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape - unless, that is, you use adjectives…
Montagu Muscadel is Music to the Mouth
The small, pretty hamlet of Montagu , in the borderlands of the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape province, has a secret: apart from having some of the best hot springs in the country, as well…
Waverley Hills Organic Shiraz (2004): Wine Review
2004 Waverley Hills Organic Shiraz Where found?: Old Dalby Wine Shop, Voortrekker Road, Riebeek West | Map How much? R70 Waverly Hills Shiraz Drunk with? Solo - a wine tasting. How did it go down?
Fokol Dry Red Plonk (Mystery Year): Wine Review
Mystery Year Fokol Dry Red Plonk Where found? Midmar Liquors, Strand St. (cnr. Buitengracht), Cape Town | Map Fokol Wyn How much? R20 Drunk with? Dinner; roast chicken Did it suit?
Head to the Winelands for Autumn Colors
For a treat this weekend - which is extra long because of Workers' Day on Monday - SA Blog suggests a drive to Franschhoek, via the Helshoogte Pass and the town of Pniel ( map ), where lovely autumn…
Diemersfontein Pinotage (2005): Wine Review
2005 Diemersfontein Pinotage Where found? Wine Concepts, LifeStyle Ctr., Kloof St., Cape Town | Map How much? R65 Diemersfontein Pinotage Drunk with?
The Village at Spier, Winelands: Accommodation Review
The Village at Spier R310, Lynedoch Road Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands | Map Accommodation type: Small hotel on an activity-filled wine estate.
Thandi Cabernet Sauvignon (2002): Wine Review
2002 Thandi Cabernet Sauvignon Where found? At a Fair Trade show! Thandi Cab How much? Depends on where you buy it; upwards of R50 in SA. Drunk with? Dinner; spicy curry. Did it suit? Perfectly!
Stellar Organics Merlot (2004): Wine Review
2004 Stellar Organics Merlot Where found? At a Fair Trade show! Stellar Merlot How much? around R60 Drunk with? Dinner; Hot vegetable curry Did it suit? Quite well Value for money?
Summerville, Camps Bay, Cape Town: Sundowner Review
Summerville Promenade Centre, Victoria Road Camps Bay | Map Summerville View Specialty: Sundowners Contact: Tel : +27 (0) 21 438 3174 , Fax : +27 (0) 21 438 3174 , info@summervillerestaurant.co.za ,…
Nederburg's Annual Fashion Show Today
If you're looking for a party to crash today, look no further than the winelands town of Paarl and its signature estate, Nederburg .
Delheim Cab-Shiraz (2004): Wine Review
2004 Delheim Cab-Shiraz Where found? Die Boord SuperSpar, Strand St., Stellenbosch | Map Delheim Cab-Shiraz How much? R32.95 Drunk with? Dinner; simple, homemade vegetable linguini. Did it suit?
La Fromagerie, Franschhoek, Winelands: Cafe Review
La Fromagerie 13 Daniel Hugo Street (between Berg & Bordeaux Streets), Franschhoek | Map La Fromagerie Specialty: Cheese boards, freshly-caught trout, country gourmet cuisine Contact: Tel : +27 (0)…
Best of Franschhoek on SA Blog
Find SA Blog's favorite things to see and do in the beautiful Cape winelands hamlet of Franschhoek here! Franschhoek Church Links will be added as posts are written. Love Franschhoek?
Huguenot Fine Foods & Chocolates, Franschhoek, Winelands: Shop Review
Huguenot Fine Foods & Chocolates 16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek | Map Huguenot Chocolates Specialty: Handmade Belgium-style chocolates Contact: Tel : +27 (0) 21 876 4096, Fax : (same)…
Hillcrest Berry Orchards, Pniel, Winelands: Shop Review
Hillcrest Berry Orchards R310 (Pniel Road), between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek | Map Hillcrest Berry Orchards Specialty: Fresh berries and preserves; lunches and tea; self-catering accommodation…
Flagstone Longitude Red Blend (2005): Wine Review
2005 Flagstone Longitude Red Blend Where found?: Ultra Liquors, Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town | Map How much? R23 Flagstone Longitude Drunk with?
Microbrew Lovers: Slake Your Thirst at Mitchell's
The microbrewing craze has not caught on in South Africa as it has elsewhere in the world, but beer snobs in Cape Town can find some relief from this generally oppressive situation by taking a pint…
Foxenburg Estate, Wellington: Cheesery Review
Foxenburg Estate Agter-Groenberg, Wellington Tasting hours: Contact for arrangements Number of cheeses to taste: 6+ Special? Organic, goat's cheese, gourmet goodies SA Blog recommends?
Orchard Coffee Shop, Grabouw/Elgin: Shop Review
Orchard Coffee Shop Corner of N2 and Oudebrug Road Grabouw Specialty: Restaurant and Gourmet Gifts Tel : +27 (0) 21 859 2880 , Fax : +27 (0) 21 859 2328, orchard1@iafrica.com ,…
Paarl, Stellenbosh and Surrounds: Cheese and Wine Tour Review
Cheese and Wines of the Cape: Tour by Didier Paarl, Stellenbosh and Surrounds Western Cape Winelands Will pick you up?
Groot Constantia, Constantia: Wine Estate Review
Groot Constantia Constantia Road Constantia Tasting hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Sunday Tasting fee: R20 for 5 tastes Number of wines to taste: Approximately 15 Reds? Yes Whites? Yes Special?
Anton Rupert, RIP
Anton Rupert, who died yesterday, aged 89, at his home in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, was like a South African Bill Gates, in that he dreamed up his empire while rolling cigarettes in his garage.
Tulbagh - The 6-Part Serial Adventure! (4/6: Wine Tasting)
(An SA Blog Beta post from Your Correspondent) Part 4/6: Tulbagh Wine Tasting The Swartland region has the best value-for-money wines in the Western Cape, in Your Correspondent's opinion, and…