A little Wikipedia history lesson: The town of Robertson was founded by a Scottish minister named Dr William Robertson in 1853. Back then, the fertile soil in the valley centred the community around farming and building wagons.
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Then, when wagons fizzled out and made way for trains and railways, the people took up ostrich farming. True story. It was only after WW1 that Robertson found its true calling in fruit and wine farming, and later, breeding racehorses became a big deal with the success of several reputable stud farms.
Now, Robertson is known as the Valley of Wine and Roses due to its flourishing wine industry and beautiful rose gardens. The town has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world to experience its scenic vineyards, surrounding nature and places of cultural interest.
Pot-Luck Homestead Cape Malay Restaurant
The essence of masala and family warmth draw you into the Pot-Luck Homestead on Kruger Street. Adielah and Adrian Potgieter moved from the city to the Jacaranda-lined streets of Robertson to introduce authentic Cape Malay cooking to the locals, who are more accustomed to country-style fare.
The Victorian house the restaurant occupies holds space for Adielah’s culinary and cultural heritage, which accompanies you into every room and presents itself on every plate. Her husband, Adrian runs the business aspect of things, and she heads up the kitchen, whipping up a menu that has developed a serious reputation among Robertson residents.
Adielah makes a mean farmstyle breakfast but shakes it up a bit with dishes like curried scrambled eggs and jalapeño mayo. But it’s her curries that have people talking. Using her family’s secret spice mix, her butter chicken curry is a labour of love, and the curry platter is a crowd-pleaser if you want a taste of everything.
As a side to the restaurant, Adielah hosts Cape Malay cooking classes from the kitchen, and apparently they are a whole lot of fun! If her foodie followers are not dining out at the restaurant, they are ordering in for a week-night fix of their favourite fragrant curry and freshly made samosas.
- Location: 87 Paul Kruger St, Robertson, 6705
- Contact: 081 454 9053 | [email protected]
Saggy Stone
Born, bred and brewed in Robertson, Saggy Stone attributes the quality of its beer to the Langeberg mountain’s spring water that is used in the production process. Whether it is the magic mountain water or just good branding, Saggy Stone beer is distributed throughout the country and its successful taproom franchise is popping up all over the Cape.
Its Robertson franchise sits in the arterial hub of the town, Voortrekker Avenue. Here, the convivial atmosphere complements the golden brew flowing from the taps and the moreish menu of wood-fired pizzas, beasty burgers and other fried snacks. The patio at the back is a win in summer, with its vine-covered pergola providing a spot to kick back and cool off with a cold one. And in the cooler months, the fireplace and the cosy banquet seating makes winter dining doable.
- Location: 26 Voortrekker Avenue, Robertson
- Contact: 076 210 4004
- Times: Mon to Sat: 11am to 10pm | Sunday: 11am to 4pm
La Verne Wine Boutique
Those passionate about wine – the drinking and the collecting of it, must have the Robertson Wine Valley on their radars. It is home to some of the Cape Winelands’ household names, including Robertson Winery, Graham Beck and De Wetshof. You’ll find their bottles on every shelf in every liquor store across the country. However, if you want a deeper dive into the smaller brands making spectacular stuff, La Verne Wine Boutique houses them all, big and small.
Its repertoire is vast, and you can order online or join the La Verne Wine Club for a subscription to a curated selection of 6 to 12 wines the store is excited about. Each delivery comes with tasting and pairing notes and is a wonderful introduction to different winemakers, regions and styles.
- Location: 1 Voortrekker Avenue
- Contact: +27 (0)23 626 4314 | [email protected]
Robertson Gallery
Pat and Elaine Paulse, the same couple who own La Verne, are also behind the Robertson Gallery next door. The gallery on Voortrekker Avenue holds the original art of over sixty South African artists, including works by renowned artists, masters, and young and upcoming talent.
- Location: 3 Voortrekker Avenue, Robertson
- Contact: Tel/ Fax: +27 (0)23 626 5364 | Cell: +27 (0)82 921 2697 | [email protected]
Van Tonder Antiques
A couple of doors down from Saggy Stone’s taproom is Van Tonder Antiques, an old family run business that has earned a reputation for its staggering collection of furniture and collectibles from different eras.
The further you explore, the deeper you go into the floor-to-ceiling archive of people’s forgotten stuff. If you manage to find your way to the exit, the challenge is leaving without a beautiful trinket, a Victorian mirror or a whimsical oil painting. If you’re a serious collector, you will not leave empty handed.
- Location: 28 Voortrekker Avenue, Robertson, South Africa
- Contact: [email protected] | 066 237 3419
- Times: Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm | Saturday: 8am to 1pm
Springfield Estate
Springfield Estate belongs to the Bruwer family, and it has since 1898, thanks to its enterprising French Hugenout ancestors. The approach to the winery in Robertson is grand. A single oak-lined road rolls out like a red carpet, making way for the big reveal: ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes. A mountain-lined horizon and big sky reflected onto the crystal clear canvas of a dam, embellished by a small wooden jetty and a little paddle boat. Even if the wine were rubbish, which it is not, you would still want to come back here just to stare at that view.
The cellar building has the whole rustic French thing going on. A large central hearth lends warmth and character to the massive dome-like space. It’s deeply chic.
Tastings are always encouraged, and no booking is required, just a R80 tasting fee for any five of the estate’s wines. You are told of the farm’s philosophy when it comes to winemaking and, along with a short breakdown of each varietal and how it came to be, the story behind it.
The best part is drinking the wine; crisp whites and smooth reds linger on the palate as you take in the astonishing beauty of the land it came from.
- Location: Klipdrif, R317, Bonnievale Road, Robertson
- Contact: 023 626 3661
- Tasting times: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm | Saturdays: 9am to 3pm | Public holidays: 9am to 3pm
theLAB Robertson
Perched on a slope in pretty Klaasvoogds Valley at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain range, you’ll find theLAB guesthouse. Its pastoral setting is utterly enchanting, which is why you’re taken by surprise upon discovering the innovative setup inside.
It is a fully automated, energy-neutral facility, which means you can switch off a light with a simple ‘lights off’ or you can tell your coffee machine to make you a cappuccino. It’s the Silicon Valley of hospitality, and its commitment to clean, eco-conscious living is everywhere. Solar energy, plant-based cleaning products, E-bikes, E-cars with charging stations, and strictly no single-use plastics.
From theFOOD restaurant, you look onto a small dam and the sweeping hills of the valley. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with an ever-evolving a la carte menu. Early morning is sublime as the sun lifts the dawn mist to reveal the endless landscape. For brekkie, try a classic English style spread and finish it off with a killer coffee of your choice.
- Location: Klaasvoogds West, Robertson, 6707
- Contact: [email protected] | +27 (0)72 196 1117
- Times: Breakfast: 8am to 10:30am | Lunch: 12pm to 2:30pm | Dinner: 6pm to 9:30pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Owl’s Rest Olive and Lavender Farm
Just down the hill from theLAB is a special little spot called Owl’s Rest. It is home to an industrious local business that makes herbal and food products from the plants it grows on the surrounding farmland.
After spending time in the Langeberg, you’ll notice the products everywhere: in guest bathrooms, hotels, and on deli shelves.
Visitors have the chance to browse the shop, have some tea and muffins under the olive trees and learn how the farm operates.
Rosemary, lavender and rose geranium are manually harvested, and their fragrant essential oils and floral waters are then extracted to make a wide range of goods, from essential oils and body care to preserves and cordials.
From its olive harvest comes an assortment of treats like table olives, tapenades and a beautiful extra virgin olive oil.
- Location: Klaasvoogds West, Robertson, 6707
- Contact: 023 626 1284 | 082 326 9525 | 082 497 9329 | [email protected]
- Website: owlsproducts.co.za
Barry House
Built on the revered Riverton stud farm, Barry House is an old family home that lives and breathes the story of the Barry family. The historic manor is a labyrinth of rooms with walls covered in photographs, antique furniture and the splendour of a bygone era.
The four star self catering home can accommodate families, friends or large groups with its six bedrooms and five bathrooms, large family room with open fireplace, expansive grounds and English country garden. The Breede River runs through the farm, making it perfect for a spot of birding, fishing or swimming.
- Location: R317, Robertson, 6705
- Contact: [email protected] | +27 (0)23 626 4309
- Website: rivertonstud.co.za/accommodation/barry-house-on-riverton
Ragazzi
Ragazzi at the modern Beuld venue sparkles with opulence: gilded mirrors, bold colours, contemporary furnishings and double volume ceilings – even the guest bathrooms are exquisite.
Despite the glamorous setting, the Italian-inspired cuisine remains the star of the show. The kitchen, headed up by Chef Clinton Drake, delivers delectable dishes in the form of creative pastas, meat dishes and beautiful seasonal plates. Everything that is presented looks like a work of art and tastes even better.
- Location: Roodehoogte Farm, de Hoop Road, Robertson, 6704
- Times: Wednesday and Thursday: 5 p.m. to 9pm | Friday and Saturday: 12pm to 9pm | Sunday: 11am to 3pm
- Contact: [email protected] | +27 (0) 63 262 5558
- Website: ragazzirestaurant.co.za
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Picture: Peet Mocke
