We are in Paarl in a lovely 4 room BNB, only 3 of us here, on the edge of the mountain, lovely small city, gorgeous views all around. German owner and guests, but good English.
We dropped through a scenic pass to get here, a surprise. Lovely vineyards winding up the (small) mountain sides. Beautiful drive through, unexpected after the partly hohum drive across southern Garden Route.
Yesterday host suggested the 300+ year old Muratie vineyard with loads of history. Still run as a small family winery and now run by descendent of original owner (and first black vineyard owner after her husband died!) Tour of the vineyard and tasting inside (at bottom) of old concrete vat, red stains on all the walls of course. Nice wines, overpriced (a la Ted) but really knowledgeable young woman. This was virtually in Stellenboch, only half an hour away.
Lunch at the gorgeous little cafe looking out over the vineyard was lovely. The old chapel has been opened and is a little art gallery. All the wines are named after a notable person in the winery’s history. We bought the LH dessert wine (Forever Amber) named after one owner’s fav mistress and muse - Amber. The only non nude picture of her on the bottle - but she hangs in the old chapel! With messages on the walls and drawings from everyone who has passed through.
Visited the visitor centre and got more than enough info for this whole area. We will have to return to this area en route back to CT late March.
Can you believe they are going to hold their Paarl harvest festival throughout the area with events at the wineries this Saturday March 2? How lucky was that. We will drink our faces off...and still drive safely! I think there are shuttles too.
Can you believe they are going to hold their Paarl harvest festival throughout the area with events at the wineries this Saturday March 2? How lucky was that. We will drink our faces off...and still drive safely! I think there are shuttles too.
Also booked in for lunch at the famed Lanzerac winery Sunday en route to Hermanus.
Off to the huge breakfasts spread, enough for a small army, but that’s Germans for you.
Found 2 good local restos, one we walked to (20 minutes at night, no problem at all) and yesterday a fancy one with white table cloths and slightly snotty waiters but great food! After late lunch in the vineyard overlooking the beautiful ravines and mountain here, we did not need much dinner so ordered 3 starters and a plate of vegetables.
Our hosts here are very helpful about giving us info about everything. This BnB thing is a new experience for us but it is the only way to travel South Africa.
Gonna be 26 today the 30 and 32 following 3 days so we are glad we will be back at the coast in Hermanus by Sunday.
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