PAARL UNDISCOVERED: WHY

Undiscovered Paarl When you think of Paarl Wine Route, what pops into your mind? Yes, it's the goats climbing their little tower at Fairview, isn't it? Fairview has for many ExplorE some of paarl's offthE-bEatEn-track winE years offered the trifecta: good wine, good cheese and sweet goats. But, we need to let you in on an undiscovered farms—and a few other hiddEn secret. Paarl is taking shape as a popular gEms along the way wine route in its own right, with many more delightful offerings rivaling the trendy Franschhoek and ol’ faithful Stellenbosch. And you’ll certainly love its more rural vibe. Did you know that Paarl has more than 28 farms that make up the district, making it the second-largest wine region in the country? Of course, there are plenty of wineries to put on your mustvisit list, along with many noteworthy outdoor activities, fine dining options and country accommodation to enjoy. In fact, to really get a feel for the place, you should better stay the night. When it comes to wines, Paarl is famous for creating the world's first white Pinotage. It is also popular for its Chenins and reds (thanks to Paarl's climate). Ready to take a drive yet? Before you head out, take a look at some of Paarl's undiscovered gems.

Rhebokskloof Wine Estate from above

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Where the Wild Ones Are

Dedicated to producing authentic, delicious wines and, of course, the conservation of African wild dogs and their natural habitat. Painted Wolf Wines makes a good visit. the Wine: With three ranges, you'll easily find a wine for you. The Den offers soft and juicy comfort wine for everyday drinking. The Pack includes premium wines handcrafted from organic or sustainably farmed vineyards. Lycaon Pictus is a range of boutique Chenin Blanc and Rhone-style blends. the farm: Tasting tours include information about the wines and the endangered Painted Wolf.

interesting to note: All the wines include beautiful artworks of a Painted Wolf on the label. www.paintedwolfwines.com

2Seeing StripeS

Another winery with a heart for animals, Perdeberg adopted its name from the Cape Mountain zebras that once roamed this area. the Wine: With six wine ranges, choice is not a problem here. The farm offers a lifestyle, popular, low-alcohol, premium, ultra-premium, and super-premium range of wines. the farm: A fun place to visit; there's more than just wine tastings and pairings on offer. Step in at the country kitchen-style restaurant, or enjoy a braai, picnic or tasty pizza. There are also mountain bike trails and a function or wedding venue on the estate. interesting to note: Perdeberg makes a craft beer, too, called Quagga. Fermented in small batches, these have a lower alcohol content and are very enjoyable. www.perdeberg.co.za

The Juice is WorTh The squeeze

This small boutique winery, Druk My Niet makes wine the environmentally friendly way. Since they're situated in a biosphere reserve, they choose to use only sustainable farming methods. the wiNe: With three collections on offer, you can enjoy the Estate Collection's Rosé, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. The Icon Collection includes three red blends. The C68 Collection consists of a wooded Chenin Blanc. the farM: After enjoying some wine tasting, why not stay at the beautiful self-catering cottages amidst vines, mountains and spectacular views. iNterestiNg to Note: In 2017, the farm was severely hit by wildfires and lost all its thatched buildings, 30% of the vineyards and the 2015 and 2017 wine vintages. www.dmnwines.co.za

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every Dog has iTs Day

At riDgeback wiNes, you'll find vines secured on high trellises and a vineyard that embodies the legend of the Rhodesian ridgeback dog—one of tenacity and ruggedness, symbolic of the pioneering spirit. the wiNe: Three labels are produced on the farm. Ridgeback's premium brand emphasizes top quality and presentation of both red and white single varietals and blends. Vansha focuses on good quality red and white blends. The easy quaffing Lion Hound range looks for good quality everyday wines at affordable prices. the farM: There's a tasting room, of course, and you can enjoy delicious food in the gardens overlooking a dam at The Deck restaurant. Also on offer is a 4-star guesthouse—the perfect place to relax and unwind on your tour through the wine route. iNterestiNg to Note: The Rhodesian ridgeback was initially used for lion hunting. www.ridgebackwines.co.za

SITTING PRETTY UNDER THE TREES

If you're looking for a boutique, familyowned estate, UNDER OAKS is it. Steeped in history dating back to 1695, Under Oaks produces ne boutique wines. e wines are sold exclusively from the farm.

THE WINES: e Under Oaks collection selects single varietals and blends that comprise premium grapes chosen from speci c blocks.

THE FARM: From tasting wines and enjoying pizza to enjoying luxury accommodation or hosting a small meeting, Under Oaks is just the ticket.

INTERESTING TO NOTE: e Under Oaks logo is made up of three leaves; the oak for origin, the vine for the grapes and the cork oak for bringing closure on a dream turned into reality. www.underoaks.co.za

FAMILY FUN

e WINDMEUL KELDER farm draws from a host of well-tended vineyards, enabling the winemaking team to produce a range of exceptional wines that are enjoyed both locally and abroad.

THE WINES: e collection will appeal to everyone, from the casual wine lover to the most discerning connoisseur. e Legend and the Reserve range will interest those seeking award-winning wines. e Cellar range, still of outstanding quality, falls into the value-for-money category.

THE FARM: Here, you'll also nd a host of exciting food and wine-related events. ere's a regular Saturday Farmers' Market and a deli that's open daily, where you can sit and enjoy artisanal goods while the kids play.

INTERESTING TO NOTE: e windmill––to which the cellar owes its name––formed the hub of economic activity in the region during the 1800s and was reputed to be the nest mill in the country. www.windmeul.com

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7Trails & Pizza

If you're looking for excellent Rhône-style varietals and blends, Rhebokskloof is your go-to. All the grapes are handpicked and hand-sorted to ensure the best bunches are used. The wine: You have three ranges to choose from. Black Marble Hill offers a Cap Classique, Chardonnay and Syrah. The Rheboksloof Range includes a Chenin, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinotage. The Flatrock Range offers a white, a red and a sparkle. The farm: It's not just wine you'll enjoy here. Settle down for some tasty morsels at The Rhebokskloof restaurant or Pizzeria, or book a picnic basket and enjoy lunch under the trees. And, there are off-road trails for athletes and even horseback and guided quad bike tours too.

inTeresTing To noTe: Paarl Adventure Trails revamped the farm's trails, and you can now walk, hike, run or ride up to 35km on these expertly designed trails. www.rhebokskloof.co.za

road-TriPPing Paarl

Now that you've tasted the wines and enjoyed the vineyard views, what more is there to explore? Quite a lot, actually, but here are five of our favourites.

a greaT sTarT aT schoon Laborie cafe:

The perfect setting to enjoy artisanal bread, pastries, breakfasts, sandwiches, and rustic pizzas. We recommend starting your Paarl wine route venture right here. www.schoon.co.za

a waLking Tour of The aLpaca Loom

coffee shop & weaving sTudio: Not only a place to pet, feed, and learn about alpacas and their fibers, you can also watch the weavers at work in the studio, enjoy a walk with these woolly creatures, and have a delicious cake and coffee too. It's a must-visit, especially if you have kids. www.alpacas.co.za

hike paarL mounTain naTure reserve:

Open throughout the year, you can hike one of the many trails and enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation, visit Mill Water Wild Flower Garden, catch bass at Nantes dam, or enjoy some mountain biking and a picnic. The choice is yours. www.drakenstein.gov.za

soak up The views aT TaaL monumenT:

Discover more about the history of one of Africa's youngest languages at the iconic Taal monument on Paarl Mountain. There is also lekker food, amazing views, and an open-air gallery to enjoy, plus a playground for the kids. www.taalmuseum.co.za

a caffeine kick aT kikka bouLevard:

For a tasty foodie stop, choose Kikka Boulevard. Showcasing premium coffee, florists, and nutritious and delicious bites to eat, it will give you the energy you need to move on to the next wine estate. www.kikka-coffeeflorist.com