7 Reasons to Wine in Winter

Herman Botha, 14 June 2017

Reading time: 4 minutes

Winter and wine is a match made in heaven, add a fireplace and the picture is complete. If you’re dead set on spending the frigid months watching series, consuming popcorn by the kilo and generally pretending to be a bear in hibernation, don’t scroll down. Enjoy your cocoon, but be warned, before you know it summer will be here and you won’t have the guts to face the mirror let alone the beach. Why not try something different this year? If snow-capped mountains, emerald pastures, gourmet cuisine, and mellow merlot by firelight doesn’t sound terribly awful, have a look at our 7 reasons to hit the Winelands this winter.

1. Picture Perfect

The soft Cape rain turns the countryside into a lush pasture and as the clouds filter the sunlight it adds a fluorescent quality to the fields and valleys. If you’re lucky you may even see snow on the mountain tops! Now imagine treating your palate to the berry notes in a well-aged cabernet sauvignon as you experience this natural splendour.

Have a look at these stunning stays:

Arbeid Adelt Guesthouse is at the foot of the Matroosberg Mountains which usually gets the first snow.

Settle down by the fireplace with a glass of red at De Kleine Hoop Guest House.

2. Dine and Wine

When the temperature drops we have the urge to eat. Instead of fighting the urge, why not satisfy it in a stylish way? This part of South Africa knows a thing or two about the good life. Small surprise then that, according to eatout.co.za, 9 of the top 10 restaurants in our country are right here. And since the competition is so fierce you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to enjoy a gourmet meal in a beautiful location.

3. Red wine by firelight

Treat your partner to red wine by firelight. Watch the flames play on your crimson glass. Talk until the wee hours. Discuss life, the universe and everything as you rediscover each other. Close your eyes and listen to the caress of the soft rain on your cottage roof.

These accommodations were designed for romance:

Whipstock Guest Farm boasts beautiful mountain biking and hiking trails.

Treat yourself to some heat and heritage in The Winterhoek Manor (1813) or Toll House (1809) at Tulbagh Hotel.

4. At your own pace

If you reckon dragging yourself away from your couch and hauling your luggage to your cottage was enough trouble, that’s totally fine. If your accommodation is on a wine farm you can just stroll over to the tasting room in the blissful knowledge that your only “obligation” for the day is to show up for lunch or dinner at a restaurant.

Wonderful wine farm accommodations:

Clear your palate at Legado Coffee Roasters between tastings at Rosen View Guest House.

Listen to the rain on the thatched-roof cottage at Mooi Bly.

5. Adventure Destination

If you’re worried about a sudden onslaught of cottage fever or the need to get your circulation going in between wine tastings and post lunch naps, don’t fret. Mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, and paragliding are all laid on in the Winelands.

6. Stock up on portable memories

If you find yourself back in the daily grind, just think about that exquisite wine you tasted on your trip to the Winelands ─ and the fact that you still have one or two bottles left. All you need to prompt your memory is one sip, then simply sit back as the images of mountains, valleys and that cosy cottage flood your imagination.