Another world awaits at Spier Wine Farm

 

Spier Wine Farm

Spier Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch, 7600

www.spier.co.za

021 809 1100

 

About Spier Wine Farm

“Ethical farming, the health of the soil and the people who work it. Artistic endeavour and absolute care in the crafting of our wines. This is what matters to us.” – Spier Wine Farm

You can’t go to Stellenbosch without stopping by Spier Wine Farm. This beautiful estate is one of the oldest in South Africa. They have been making wine since 1692. Today, Spier continues to make divine vino, but the setting has evolved into something quite magnificent – and seriously jacked. Children, friends, family and visitors to the Cape will all find something spectacular.

From exceptional vineyards to restaurants, picnic areas and even a vegetable garden, there’s plenty to do here. There’s also a stunning hotel on the property, making this a perfect spot for a Winelands getaway, or wedding.

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As if that’s not enough, Spier also has one of the best collections of modern art in all of South Africa. If you’re not into gawking at the art or picturesque views, Spier is celebrated for throwing a great event – and there’s always something on. Whether it’s Spier’s celebrated Light Art Show or a ride on a Segway through the vineyards, you’ll certainly be entertained.

Of course, there are fabulous wine tastings to enjoy. Most people agree that the wines made at Spier are some of the best in the country. Sip away and enjoy something delicious prepared at one of the restaurants.

Many of the ingredients on your plate or in your picnic basket are grown at the farm. This is fresh and organic at its finest. If you’re after a sweet treat, Vadas Smokehouse at Spier is famous for its pastries, particularly Pastéis de Nata’s.

If you’re not eating or drinking, Spier is a great place for lovers of the outdoors. Enjoy a self-guided walk, get sweaty on a mountain bike trail, or simply enjoy a stroll on the rolling lawns.

A world of its own, here are a few of Spier’s abundant offerings: 

Spier Hotel

The village-style hotel – reminiscent of a quaint village – caters to guests’ every need. From rest and relaxation to adventures for kids and adults. The 80 rooms are clustered around six courtyards, each with its own swimming pool (per courtyard).

• Nice to know: all rates include a glass of Spier wine on arrival, full English breakfast served in the Hotel Restaurant, a bottle of Spier wine, a wine tasting voucher, access to the Kids Clubhouse and use of the Qhubeka Bicycles to explore the farm.
• Rooms: situated next to the calming Eerste River, 80 rooms are clustered around six courtyards, each with its own swimming pool (per courtyard). There is a variety of room types and packages to choose from when making your booking.
• Bookings: www.spier.co.za/hotel

Wine tasting and food platters at Spier Wine Farm

The winery has consistently racked up plenty of accolades over the years – a testament to Spier’s truly phenomenal wines. There’s no better way to discover your preferred bottle than from its origin: Spier Wine Farm.

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Also read: Look! The Spier Light Art Festival glows with magic and invites all night-adventurers

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Enjoy award-winning wines and delicious food platters on the banks of the Spier dam with views of the Helderberg mountains. Settle in and admire the iconic Heath Nash chandelier – made from 334 recycled Spier wine bottles and weighing 370kgs – which hangs above the tasting counter.

You can enjoy a set wine tasting with or without a food pairing, or order whatever you like with an olive, cheese or cured meat board.

• Tastings: weekly, 9am to 5pm. Bookings are essential.
• Try these tastings: Winemaker Selection, R100 per person | Spier Tasting, R70 per person | Children’s Grape Juice Tasting, R40 per person.
• Book via Dineplan.

Featured locations at Spier Wine Farm

Picnics at Spier Wine Farm

Picnic goers can choose from a number of scenic locations at the farm. As featured on our picnic spot alert feature, Spier Wine farm is a gorgeous choice for summer days.

Seasonal ingredients from the farm and nearby producers are frequently featured in the baskets. The price per adult starts at R345 and for a child under 12, it’s R160.

Book on Dineplan

Spier Farm Café

The Spier Farm Café offers a variety of delicious, ready-to-eat favourites, or customers can build their own picnic baskets. Chef Hennie’s frozen ready meals, Vadas’s sourdough bread and pastries, Farmer Angus’s beef, pork, eggs, and Spier wines are all available. Spier also offers freshly picked produce without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or fungicides.

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Also read: Spier and Farmer Angus are healing the country one grass-fed burger at a time

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Spier Hotel Restaurant

Guests can enjoy a modern take on a country breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or relax with a glass of wine and some bar snacks at the wine bar – and old-school games. The chefs take great pride in crafting mouthwatering burgers and other traditional farm specialities.

Open daily for breakfast from 7am to 11am, lunch from 12.30pm to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm (last orders at 9.30pm).

• Kiddies menu
• Lunch menu
• Dinner menu
• Wine list

Book on Dineplan

Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery

Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery creates a place where families and friends can join together and eat food that is carefully, ethically and healthily sourced and prepared.

Vadas believes in supporting local, quality-driven businesses (chicken, eggs and meats supplied by Spier’s Farmer Angus). Farm-to-plate dining embraces simple dishes and showcases the quality of produce.

Although meat is what you would expect from a smokehouse – think smoked beef brisket, juicy smoked pork with a bourbon BBQ sauce or smoked pork belly with apple ketchup – there is a considered focus on ample, delicious vegetarian dishes.

The restaurant overlooks the rolling lawns and ancient oaks of Spier’s meticulously restored Werf – perfect for the kids to run wild on.

The bakery produces slow-fermented, fresh sourdough breads and a treasure trove of sweet pies such as blueberry and nectarine pie, chocolate cream pie, pecan pie and lemon meringue pie. Don’t forget about Vadas’ famous Pastéis de Nata; the Portuguese custard tart many say are the best in the world!

• Daily, from 9am to 11am.
• Lunch is served daily from 12pm to 2pm.
• Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm to 10pm.

Book on Dineplan

Spier Art Collection

The Spier Art Collection is one of the best places in South Africa to see modern art. Many different kinds of art on display show how the country is changing, and each one shows it from a different point of view.

The collection is always on display in the Spier Hotel and the Cape Dutch buildings around it, as well as in its meeting rooms. Each location is thought of as an art gallery, and both new and established artists from around the world are shown there.

Things to do at Spier Wine Farm

1. Enjoy the outdoors on a segway

Take a tour of the Cape Winelands on a Segway and see all its beauty. On two wheels, you cruise through vineyards and enjoy views of the Stellenbosch mountains. It’s a fun ride that doesn’t take much work because it’s an electric vehicle.

2. Unwind at the spa 

A trip to the spa at the Spier Hotel is like getting a good kneading. It’s a great place to unwind and rid your body of tension. They offer massages, facials, and body scrubs, among other things. Spa treatments on the deck come with harmonising wooshes of the Eerste River flowing in the distance.

3. Experience big birds up close

Eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, kites, and vultures are often seen visiting Spier. The Eagle Encounters organisation does its important work of education and bird rehabilitation from the premises, as Spier has dedicated a portion of its land to this cause. Also, the farm doesn’t need pesticides because these birds do the job better. It’s a win win.

4. Have fun at the craft market

During the winter months, the craft market will be operating from a pop-up market stand next to the Werf on sunny weekends. The popular ‘makers experience’ will be available from the pop-up during this time, where you can learn a trick from master traders.

Find a unique memento or special gift – a locally-made piece of Africa to take home – at this vibrant, colourful craft market. It’s situated on the shady lawns in front of the Tasting Room.

The craft market follows the Fair Trade rules that are recognised around the world. It’s a collaboration between Spier, Sue Heathcock, and the craft artists, makers, and designers who are involved. The social enterprise is run like a business so that it can help people and the environment. With this business model, most of the money from each sale goes to the craft artist.

5. A wonderland for children 

The kids at the farm can use the epic clubhouse. They can also keep themselves busy with exciting scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, board games, ball games, music jams, and story time. Children can also ride their bikes around the farm (training wheels are provided) and then relax at the historic Werf, which has a natural playground made of rocks and trees. In the Elemental Garden, there is a tunnel, a swing, and a place with water. Don’t overlook them! At the end of the day, you can try different grape juices with a guide.

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 Pictures: @spierwinefarm / Instagram