Unique and surprising: Wine tastings with a difference

11 curious picks: Waffles, pies, ice cream, olive oil

Last updated: Friday, 1 March 2024

The Western Cape is known for its excellent wines, and locals love to drink it. So we’ve asked our readers to share their favourite and most unique wine pairing experiences (think wine with waffles, olive oil, pies…). There’s something to suit every wine drinker (and some treats for kids, too). Plus, see these unique tastings (that aren’t wine).

A NEW WAY TO WINE HOP

If you’re looking for a unique way to go wine tasting, the Stellenbosch Wine Tractor is just that. Starting at Eikendal Wine Estate, you can hop on and off across six hidden gem wine farms like Webersberg Estate and Grangehurst Wine Estate. The tractor takes you through farm roads (not main roads), meaning you can see horses and blue cranes at the Wine Tractor. 

Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 9.30am to 6pm

Cost: R300 for adults, R150 for kids

Eikendal Vineyards | R44

WINE AND WAFFLES ANYONE?

Lynn Jacqueline O'Reilly Collier tipped us off about D’Aria Winery in Durbanville, which led us to discover the waffles and wine pairing. A combination of sweet waffles with three perfectly-paired fine wines…what could be better? Plus, there’s a kiddies tasting – three natural juices paired with beef droëwors, cookies and sweeties.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am - 6pm; Saturday + Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Cost: R110 for waffle pairing; R65 for kiddies pairing

M13 Tygerberg Valley Road | Durbanville | @dariawinery | Image: D’Aria Winery

THIS PAIRING IS SILENT DISCO-STYLE

Traditional cheese-and-wine pairings are way too passé for Black Elephant Vintners.  It offers something far more rebellious: Every Saturday this eccentric cellar tastes wine to the rousing sounds of rock ‘n roll. Schalk Stapelberg says it’s “absolutely mind blowing,” and highly recommends this pairing to those who appreciate music. Taste champagne or wine and boogie to classic rock. 

Hours: Music and wine pairing is available Saturdays from 11am

Cost: R150pp for bubbly experience, R300 for bubbly + wine experience

40a Uitkyk Street | Franschhoek | @bevintners | Image: Joana Bronze (@bronzejoana)

TRY “THE BEST” QUICHES 

Bergsig Wine Estate has a culinary experience like no other, and Juanita Wallem confirms it. Guests can choose between a spring roll pairing, meatball pairing and “the best quiche” pairing, according to Juanita. The quiche tasting includes four wines, paired with spinach and cream cheese, bacon and caramelised onion, sundried tomato and aged cheddar, and blue cheese and fig. 

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm; Saturday, 9am - 4pm

Cost: TBC

R43 Breerivier | @bergsigestate | Image: Bergsig Wine Estate

DELIGHT IN FYNBOS-INFUSED CUPCAKES

This next-level pairing showcases an evergreen favourite in the Cape, aka Fynbos. Delheim Wines has had this staple pairing since 2018, and locals like Michael Coates love it. The pairing includes four fynbos-infused cupcakes in flavours like Honeybush, Cape Honey, Buchu and Rooibos. 

Hours: Available daily from 11am - 3pm

Cost: R150 for wine and cupcake pairing

Knorhoek Road | Stellenbosch | @delheimwines | Image: Delheim

TASTE A TRULY SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE 

We have to agree with Gisela Pruter that “gourmet pie & wine” at Imbuko Wines is at the top of the list of unique wine-tasting experiences. Imbuko, meaning ‘admiration for’ in Xhosa, offers a pairing that includes four wines and cocktail pies. These pies bring you traditional South African flavours, like lamb and bobotie. There’s also a jungle gym and vast lawns for the kids to play on.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm; Saturday, 9am - 3pm

Cost: R100 for wine and pie pairing

Wellington | 021 873 7350 | @imbukosa | Image: Juliana Pretorius 

SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH

Annemarie Gillmer went down a sweeter route for this wine pairing. Clos Malverne in Stellenbosch offers a signature ice cream and wine pairing – talk about an exciting food and wine combination. Think salted caramel and butter biscuit, roasted black and white sesame, and even bacon, chocolate and waffle ice cream. You can also gift a tasting voucher to a loved one and share the experience. 

Hours: Ice cream pairing is available Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am - 3pm

Cost: R135 for ice cream and wine pairing

Devon Valley Road | Stellenbosch | @closmalverne | Image: Clos Malverne

DARE TO TRY BUBBLY + OLIVE OIL?

Four iconic Cap Classiques paired with olive oil ,all while looking over endless vistas in Robertson… we see where you’re going with this, Margaret Faasen. The bubbly and olive oil tasting hosted at the Cellar Door (on Graham Beck Estate) is a true highlight for any wine connoisseur. The estate also offers a poppin’ pairing for those who are a bit sceptical about the olive oil (hint, it’s popcorn and bubbly).

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Cost: R170 for bubbly and olive oil tasting

Scenic Cape Route R60 | Robertson | @grahambeckbubbly | Image: Graham Beck

OPT FOR A PIZZA OR NOUGAT PAIRING

J.C Le Roux is coming in hot at the end of our guide, with three different tastings locals love. Michelle Howard Cuddon voted for the nougat, wine and bubbles pairing, saying it’s “great fun”, while Ashleigh Michaels raved about the cheesecake pairing. And Annamarie Erasmus went for the bubbles and pizza pairing. Which one would you choose?

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am - 4pm

Cost: R115 for nougat pairing, R140 for cheesecake pairing, R170 for pizza pairing

Devon Valley Road | Stellenbosch | @houseofjcleroux | Image: JC Le Roux

EAT ROOSTERKOEK ON THIS LANDMARK FARM

The CapeTownMagazine.com team recommend a visit to Klein Goederust Boutique Winery, the first fully black-owned wine farm in Franschhoek. Its buffet restaurant is in an elegantly restored 1920s building and serves a variety of fresh salads and warm side dishes with braaied lamb, roosterkoek and chicken. Do try the MCC, named after the owner’s mom, a former farm labourer. Its wine tasting rooms are ready to host you. 

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am - 4.30pm

Cost: R180 pp (taste 5 wines)

R45 Main Road | Franschhoek | @klein_goederust | Image: Klein Goederust

GO WILD WITH MUSHROOMS 

Reader Janine Mitchell recommends “wine and mushrooms in George”. Houtbosch Wines is set in the heart of the Garden Route at Redberry Farm, a family-friendly venue where the tasting options are broad. The wild-mushroom pairing matches a variety of Shiitake mushrooms with three wines. And while parents do adult things, kids can get messy with a chocolate fondue.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 4pm 

Cost: TBC

Redberry Farm | George | @houtboschwines | Image: Houtbosch Wines

By Lara van Zyl

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DISCOVER MORE WINE EXPERIENCES

Find out about the 20 tasting flights at The Wine Glass in Stellenbosch.

Here’s a guide to wine bar hopping in the city. 

Up your game with this guide to wine tasting.

Discover special + secret spots in the Western Cape.

Taste wine in a themed cave at Klein Roosboom

Try these 3 unusual pairings at Canto Wines in Durbanville

At this hidden Stellenbosch farm you can pick lavender, taste wine + more.  

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