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WINE REAL
My Summer GUIDE 2019
ESTATE
TAKE A WALK ON THE COOL SIDE G
rabouw and the Elgin Valley are well known for their scenic beauty, juicy apples and beautiful lowers, but visitors can expect much more – there are meandering routes to wine estates, farm experiences and various accommodation options, restaurants that offer hearty fare as well as ine dining, and myriad outdoor activities for the whole family.
ROJAAL
PAUL WALLACE
PAUL CLUVER
This charming, retro-chic-style restaurant overlooking the Elgin Valley was established in 2016 by Arno Reuvers, an apple farmer in the area. Arno used his magic to transform a lower-packing shed into the perfect setting for creative dining, with generous portions and attractively styled plates of food.
Paul and Nicky Wallace bought their farm in September 2003 and immediately set out to create their own little piece of heaven. Paul is a viticultural consultant and here, at last, he could practise what he has advised and encouraged other farmers to do in their vineyards.
Take all your senses on an adventure at Paul Cluver Wines. Discover our four single varietal wines, pioneered by our family in the Elgin Valley and paired with canapés from our estate restaurant. Bring your mountain bike and enjoy the new playpark, or tour the farm on our renowned MTB trails.
Never known to be a traditionalist, and sometimes described as something of a maverick, Paul has been making his own Malbec since 2004.
Those willing to get off the beaten track will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience that is well worth the detour. Our valley’s cool climate and high altitude offer vineyards the perfect growing conditions. Cold, rainy winters are followed by summers that bring cool sea breezes. In the vineyards, the grapes’ ripening time is long and slow – yielding crops that have a low pH, a natural acidity and a wide range of lavours that are perfectly balanced. There are a variety of activities for adventure and outdoor enthusiasts in Grabouw and the Elgin Valley. They include several day and overnight hiking and slackpacking trails, as well as 4x4 adventure trails, river cruises, ziplining and Segway tours. The area offers several mountain-bike trails ranging from easy to challenging, to suit all levels of itness and experience, from beginners to seasoned riders. Visitors can bass and trout ish at a number of farms, wine estates and accommodation establishments in Grabouw and the Elgin Valley.
What started as a 'fun project' to keep his friends in wine, has developed into something of a reputation and following.
Alternatively, book a guided MTB tour. Freshen up at our complimentary hot showers before enjoying a relaxed wine tasting or a scrumptious meal. Adventure awaits and we look forward to welcoming you.
The name ‘Rojaal’ is an Afrikaans word meaning ‘lavish/abundance’, which epitomises South African hospitality. It describes the food, atmosphere and service at this restaurant. Trading hours: Wednesday & Thursday 10:30 – 17:00, Friday & Saturday 10:30 – 23:00, Sunday 10:30 – 16:30. Closed Monday & Tuesday, as well as 25 December and 1 January.
Viljoenshoop Road, Elgin www.facebook.com/RojaalEst2016 021 204 1085
Trading hours: Saturday 10:30 – 17:00. Sunday to Friday and public holidays by appointment only.
Farm 63, Highlands Road, Elgin www.paulwallacewines.co.za 082 572 1406 / 083 255 1884
Trading hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 16:00.
Behind Kromco just off the N2, Grabouw www.cluver.com 021 844 0605
ALMENKERK WINE ESTATE
OAK VALLEY
HIGHLANDS ROAD ESTATE & CAFÉ
SALT at PAUL CLUVER
Almenkerk Wine Estate is a true family estate. Owned by the Belgian/Dutch van Almenkerk family, it is run by Natalie and Joris van Almenkerk.
Oak Valley Estate was founded in 1898 by Sir Antonie Viljoen, a medical doctor from Scotland who became a senator in the Cape Parliament and was knighted by King George in 1916. Antonie was a farmer extraordinaire who established the irst commercial apple orchards in the Elgin Valley.
On Highlands Road Estate you will encounter a picturesque setting that delivers organoleptic delights – with panache. Wine production is the primary business, producing a range of award-winning wines that are sure to impress any wine enthusiast.
SALT at Paul Cluver is a restaurant for the senses where every dish has a touch of salt ingrained in it. There may well be other restaurants that obsess about salt as we do, but our aim is to not only keep this to ourselves, but to inspire everyone who dines with us. We want others to become salt aicionados and start a movement to pay homage to one of earth’s oldest and most vital minerals.
Natalie and Joris are bon vivants and part of their mission statement is to have loads of fun while making wine. Refusing to compromise where the quality of the wine is concerned, they are strongly committed to making simply delicious wines.
Today Oak Valley is renowned for its apples and pears, its greenhouse cut-lowers and the production of outstanding cool climate wines. It is important to Oak Valley that their wines relect a strong sense of place, from their fruit-driven Elgin Range to the Groenlandberg and Tabula Rasa Ranges, focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are the ultimate expression of this unique terroir.
Almenkerk's award-winning wines relect the passion and the fun that went into the making. Enjoy wine tasting on the terrace with views of the Kogelberg mountains, or take your own picnic and relax on the lawns. Trading hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 – 16:00. Closed on 17 December, 24 – 26 December and 1 January.
50 Viljoenshoop Road, Grabouw www.almenkerk.co.za 021 848 9844
Tasting room hours: Open Monday to Friday 09:00 –17:00 and Saturday to Sunday 10:00 –16:00.
R321, Oak Avenue, Grabouw www.oakvalley.co.za 021 859 4110
These wines relect the unique terroir of the Elgin Valley and are distributed to some of the country’s best restaurants. To encourage the wine tasters to linger longer, the café produces delicious cheese and charcuterie platters to pair perfectly with the wines. Visitors are hosted under willow trees alongside the scenic dam or inside the cosy café with a crackling ire. A true taste of country living.
The lunch menu takes you through a journey of Salt, from dry-curing to fermenting, brining, pickling, preservation – and the list goes on. An all new á la carte style menu gives you freedom of choice, with prices ranging from R90 to R200 a dish.
Trading hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 16:00 for tastings and platters on weekends. Trading hours: Tuesday to Sunday 08:30 – 16:00. Closed on Monday.
75 Highlands Road, Elgin www.highlandsroadestate.co.za 071 271 0161
De Rust Estate, N2 Grabouw www.cluver.com/salt-at-paul-cluver 021 844 0012
For more information on what to do and where to go, and contact details for the various activities, accommodation establishments, venues and restaurants, visit www.elgingrabouwtourism.co.za and our social media pages (@ExperienceElgin).
