Vineyards and Wine Tasting in The Garden Route

Cool Bay Estate is found in a non traditional wine area on the Robinson Pass above Mosselbay. Carel Nel is the owner and cellamaster.He is well known in the industry for searching for new areas with cooler climates for wine production.

With encouragement from his daughters Nel decided to take up the wine challenge and Cool Bay wines was born. The wine focus is on both Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, which both thrive in a cooler climate.

The farm has been producing wine since 2009 with the Cool Bay Saugivnon Blanc Reserve 2009 being awarded top honour at the SA National Young Wine Show in the same year. Other wines in the range include a Cool Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Cool Bay Shiraz.

Herold Wine Estate is situated on the northern slopes of the Craddock Peak near Herold.In 1999 Pinot Noir vines were planted. Further plantings followed. At the same time Sauvignon Blanc,Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon were introduced. Chardonnay was planted in 2001 . Riesling,  Semillon, Pinot noir and Sauvignon Blanc planted in 2013 completed the now  7.9ha under 30 000 vines. The vineyard slope faces north west and the rows are placed to allow the predominant south easterly winds to run their length

From the early times the Herold team experienced the ups and downs of contending with baboons, bush pigs and fruit eating birds. The summer rainfall pattern and mountain mists contribute to a high mildew threat which is managed with vigilance and a responsible spray programme.

The Herold Wines’ families strive to work with the environment wherever possible. Fertilizers and pesticides are not used and mowing between the vine rows keeps herbicides to the minimum.

The grapes are handpicked in the chilly first light, before the sun appears over the mountains, and delivered to the cellar where the men who pruned, tipped and topped, turn their hands to crushing, fermenting and pressing with the small basket press, the traditional way.

To retain flavours and aromas minimal fining and filtering is done. No animal fining products are used, making the wines vegetarian friendly.

Choosing to keep the wine close to home and heart the team bottle the Herold wines in their own cellar, making use of a small hand bottling unit.

Kay & Monty Vineyards was once a Protea and Dairy farm and is now a charming 220-hectare wine farm, polo estate and wedding venue,situated in the Crags near Plettenberg Bay. The land was purchased in 2004 and the first vines were planted five years later . producing its first vintage in 2012. The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc went on to win gold at the prestigious Old Mutual Wine Show.

Farm manager and viticulturist, Lloyd Kasimbi, and winemaker, Anton Smal work closely together to craft interesting, innovative wines. The range includes a Sauvignon Blanc, a rosé, a red blend and an MCC – is the perfect pairing to a long, sun-drenched lunch on the deck .

Discover the artistry behind the award-winning wines of Donegal Wine Estate,situated near Victoria Bay. The wines include our Chardonnay, Grenache, the prestigious Veritas Gold Shiraz, and the harmonious Vic Bay Blend  which received a Double Veritas Gold.

Join them for a tasting or tour of the under ground cellar . The special vineyards are on the Basson farm on the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountains between Malmesbury and Paarl 400km away.