Wine not?

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - If you're an avid consumer and appreciator of wine, then you're in the right place. At face value, Plettenberg Bay might not offer the same allure as the Cape Winelands, but we can guarantee there is no shortage of wineing to do in the Plett Winelands.

Covering 58ha of the 100 000ha countrywide, the Plett Winelands is South Africa's smallest wine-growing region.

Plett's wine region is the most easterly in the country and stretches 57km along the thin coastal strip from Packwood in Harkerville to Lodestone in the Crags.

It is small, young, exciting and thriving and there can be little doubt that it is South Africa's most scenic wine region.

Packwood Wine and Country Estate

The vines were planted in 2006 with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and produce a variety of still wines and bubbly. Winemaker Sollie Saurman joined in 2018, and has added world-class knowledge, creating unique and honest styles of wine that are representative of origin.

Enjoy a down-to-earth wine tasting experience, while savouring the farmhouse cheese lunches made from their own produce, with beautiful vistas over the farm.

Luka Vineyards

Luka Vineyards is a small boutique winery between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The vineyards were bought in 2019 by Phil and Laura Harvey, and they recently opened a lovely open-plan restaurant that has amazing views of the Elephant Park. They have 2,5ha producing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Plettenvale Wines

About 10 minutes' drive from Plettenberg Bay. The tasting room is in the winery and cellar. This small cellar allows visitors to have a personal experience with the owners for a wine tasting and wine pairing. They have planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and recently Viognier grape varieties. They produce a Brut Rose MCC, a Chardonnay, a Syrah and Dry Rose on their 2,3ha vineyard. The wine maker is Gloria Strack van Schyndel.

Bitou Vineyards

Elegance and sophistication meet simplicity at Bitou Vineyards. The estate (formerly Bitou Polo, that hosted many polo events and tournaments) extends along the banks of the Bitou River. Bitou Vineyards has turned the beautiful old stable building into a spectacular cellar. The new restaurant and tasting room give the opportunity for all to come and enjoy the experience.

That Wine Demesne

A tiny farm in the Crags, owned and run by David and Joanna Butler. Rising above the sleep slopes of the Buffels River Gorge, this single-vintage vineyard has been producing Pinot Noir since 2016. Awarded: Gold 2018 vintage – Michelangelo; 4 stars in Platters 2018, 2019. Wine makers: Jaco van der Watt and Anton Smal. Two pet-friendly family houses on the farm.

Bramon Wine Estate

The boutique estate was established in 2000, and was the first wine estate to be developed so far east in the Western Cape. The first wine maker was Anton Small, and Jaco van der Watt now heads up the 250-ton cellar. Award-winning Cap Classique bubblies and still whites, from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay varietals.

Bramon

Newstead Lund Family Vineyards

Newstead will never feel commercial but it will always be exceptional. Since the first harvest a few years ago, its wines and bubbles have won awards and elevated the region's wine-making credentials, while its vineyard lunches, summer solstice parties, polo events and bespoke weddings have attracted visitors and groups from out of town and country.

Newstead Vineyards

Kay & Monty Vineyards

The tasting room and restaurant is light and bright, with stunning views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains behind the vineyards, paddocks and a tranquil dam. This is the perfect place to relax with a shared board lunch, while sipping their award-winning MCC Champu or Sauvignon Blanc. With the recent maiden harvest of newer planted red varietals Shiraz, Mourvedre, Grenache Noir and Carignan, a red blend is also on the horizon from winemaker Anton Smal.

Kay & Monty

Lodestone Wine and Olive Estate

Lodestone bottled its first harvest of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in 2014. Subsequent cultivars were planted in 2015 and Lodestone now produces MCC, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Pinot Noir. Lodestone was recently acquired by an international investment company that has plans to extend the vineyards to include additional cultivars. Lodestone also has over 1 000 olive trees on the farm and produces a delicious cold-pressed olive oil. On the estate, there is a tasting room, restaurant and wine cellar.

Lodestone